‘Are all card games this simple?’ she enquired disingenuously, as Nicholas put away the pack. ‘I am learning a little about you, Cassie. Under that country girl exterior beats the heart of a gamester.’ Nicholas regarded her wryly, wondering whether she had been lying about her lack of expertise at cards. ‘My mother will not be pleased with me, teaching you to gamble.’ Despite the warmth of the cheerfully-lit inn, he saw her shiver as she carried the dressing case inside. Poor girl, she had borne up far better than he could have expected. Most delicately raised young women of his acquaintance would have had the vapours inside five minutes, but then, he was forgetting just what a child she was. He patted her arm. ‘Bear up, Cassie, we’re nearly there. By this time tomorrow you’ll be safe with Mama.’ ‘I’m not… I’m enjoying myself, this is an adventure,’ she said stiffly. ‘I just realised how close to the end of it we are. But you’ll be glad.
