CHAPTER 02

Cassie's father had relations outside of his marriage with Cassie's real mother. She had died giving birth to Cassie. Her father had brought her home. Marcella raised her as her own child if you call it that. Neither her father nor mother knew that she was aware that she was a half blood. Living in the attic since she was young she found things that were hidden by her father old letters and photographs. Ever since she found the letter and photographs, Cassie understood why the woman she called mother hated her so much she was a constant reminder of her father indiscretions. Marcella was overjoyed she had found someone who would marry Cassie. She would no longer have to look at her and be reminded of what Victor had done. Besides having Cassie marry Nathan their status would rise among their kind.

Cassie finally fell asleep after about four hours completely out of boredom.

When they finally arrived at Nathan's Cassie was speechless.

"He lives here?" She asked her father.

"Yes, most if the time when he is not off trying to find relics or artifacts for clients. He is gone for months at a time." Her father told her. This brightened Cassie's mood. He would be gone for long periods of time and not require her to preform her wifely duties, which suited her just fine. This just might work after all. Cassie smiled to herself.

The driver opened the door and helped each of them out of the carriage then unloaded the luggage. They were met by the door man and the butler.

"Master Nathan regents that he can not greet you right now, I have been asked to show you to your rooms. He will meet you at dinner this evening," the Butler said. Marcella was appalled that he was being rude. Victor just nodded. Cassie's mind was on what he had said. Dinner, what did he mean by that. They never ate human food. Well not her parents anyway. Maybe there were other guest already here. Her parents were taken to one part of the huge mansion while Cassie was taken to another. Her luggage was brought up Cassie looked around the room this had to be a mistake, she thought. A young girl dressed on s uniform came into the room she looked to be no older than sixteen. She had blonde hair and blue eyes; she also looked under weight. Her uniform looked like it had seen better days.

"Lady Cassie, I have been appointed as your hand maiden if you so wish it. Is there anything that I can get for you?" The girl asked.

"A cup of hot tea please just milk." Cassie said to her.

"I will return shorty with it. Mark will be in momentarily to light you hearth." The girl said then left. A man came into the room started fire in the hearth then left. Cassie sat down and looked around the room. It really had to be a mistake that she was in this room. There was a huge four poster bed there were steps to get up onto the bed. The Bed had satin sheets, a pink and purple duvet with tons of pillows on the bed there were light pink night stands on either side of the bed with beautiful crystal lamps. The hearth was large with a sitting area around the hearth. Floor to ceiling windows covered with a heavy fabric that matched the duvet. The room had a terrace with a sitting area with s lot of plants and flowers. There was a large crystal chandelier in the room. On one wall was a dressing table with all kinds of bottles and jars. Some Cassie had no idea what they were for. Beside it was a hand painted dressing screen. The young girl came back with the tea.

"Are you sure, I'm in the right room?" Cassie asked.

"Yes, Lady Cassie. You are marrying Master Nathan, correct?" She asked Cassie.

"Yes," Cassie said closing her eyes.

"Then you are in the right room, lady Cassie.  My name is Susan; the house Master would like to know if you accept me as your hand maiden. " the girl asked.

"Oh yes of course. Do I need to send him a handwritten note accepting you?" Cassie asked. Susan nodded Cassie quickly wrote a note of acceptance and gave it to Susan.

"If you need anything just pull this rope it will notify me that you need to me." Susan said.

Cassie looked at Susan's uniform it had seen better days.

"Is this the only uniform you own, Susan?" Cassie asked her.

"No my lady I have one other." Susan said quietly.

"Is it in the same condition as this one?" Cassie asked.

"No my lady, this is the better of the two," Susan told her embarrassed.

"This is totally unacceptable, please tell the house master to come see me immediately," Cassie told Susan.

"Yes, my lady," Susan said leaving the chambers just as Marcella was entering the room.

"This is a very beautiful chamber, Cassie we are all the way down in the west wing.  You think they could have given us better accommodation being the parents of the bride." He mother said.

"I was very surprised that I was put in this room," Cassie said.

"The maid told me this room was done just for the new lady of the house. Don't mess this up young lady if he will go to these lengths for you....."

"Mother, stop! I know my duty and what is expected of me." Cassie said to her mother.

"Don't interrupt me when I am speaking ever again." Marcella told her. Cassie smiled her mother was in her house now, well almost her house.

Nathan was in his office with one of his business partners he had hear the carriage pull up to the house and went to look out the window. Nathan saw them exit the carriage. he eyes were drawn to her as she exited the carriage he was taken back by her beauty how graceful she walked. He could not help but keep his eyes on her, she was more than what he expected a smile formed on his face. He had not wanted to meet them yet; his parents should be arriving soon. He now regretted not being there when they arrived.

I hope she likes her room, Nathan thought he had it made especially for her.

"Nathan, what are you thinking about?" Norman his long-time friend and one of his business partners asked.

"Nothing," Nathan said turning back from the window.

"When are we leaving again, your getting married in less than a week don't you think you should take sometime so you can get to know your bride?" Norman asked smiling.

"We have a good lead on the artifact, we can not let it slip through out hands," Nathan said.

"It will be your funeral," Norman said pouring himself another drink.

"What does that to mean?" Nathan asked.

"Do you really think your new bride will be happy you are leaving right after your wedding?" Norman asked him.

"It is not like that; it is an arranged marriage I'm sure she is apposed to it as I am." Nathan said walking way from the window and picked up one of the charts.

"Then why are you doing it?" Norman asked pulling out a map and placed it on the table.

"Because my parents threatened to cut my allowance if I did not get married. You both know we need what money we can get. We have spent thousand on two expeditions and have come home empty handed. Do you have the money to fund our expeditions, I don’t see any money coming out of your pockets." Nathan told them.