The Cruelest Of Lies

Chapter 4

‘You forgive not for the other person’s sake, but for your own sake.
It will make no difference to him but it will make a tremendous difference to you.
Resentment, anger are things that rot your soul.’

~Emmet Fox’s Golden Keys to Successful Living and Reminiscence.

Cassandra tightened the cape around her shoulders and heaved a sigh of sheer irritation. She didn’t think herself to be a complicated and easily ruffled woman but the one thing she hated the most was being ignored or rather, forgotten; especially by a man she barely knew. She pursed her lips tightly as the wind swept her hood back from her head and she narrowed her eyes as she stood by the docks, gazing out at the sea. She jerkily tugged the hood over her head again with a groan.
Sailors passed by her as she stood there waiting, giving her curious looks as they passed her by to get to their works.
She wanted to scream at her own foolishness. She knew that she had been right about that man. He was nothing but a liar and an opportunist. He was charming alright, but still a cad.
When she was certain that over half an hour had passed, she abruptly turned on her heel and headed towards the carriages that waited just outside of the docks. She balled her hands into tight fists and shook her head in sheer disbelief. If her father ever told her again to babysit any of his guests or business associates she’d give him a piece of her mind. Scoffing at the memory of Abraham asking her to meet him, she quickened her pace despite the high heeled boots she was wearing.
When she was almost out of the docks she heard someone shouting behind her but she paid no heed for the wind was strong and her hood felt too warm for her to lower it.
A few moments later a vice like grip grabbed her elbow and sharply whirled her around.
Cassandra gasped as her eyes flashed with anger and disbelief, “Who do you think you are-…?” she shut her mouth when she saw who it was.
Nicholas smirked at her and she gritted her teeth at his sheer nerve.
“Oh, it’s you.” She spat and he quirked an eyebrow as he stepped a bit closer without releasing her from his hold.
“My Lady.” He gave a small bow of his head with the smirk still plastered on his dark, handsome face.
Cassandra narrowed her eyes and pulled her elbow out of his grip. It was useless for he reached for her hand instead.
“You’re freezing.” He murmured and she stared at him.
The smirk, that arrogant smirk was gone and his expression showed only worry.
“I apologize deeply for making you wait.” He murmured and all the anger and irk left her as she eyed his face.
“Is that…is that a black eye?” she asked him with shock and Nicholas reached up to finger his swollen eye.
“Oh aye-…I mean, yes.” He shook his head at her frown, “I’ve been on a ship for too long. Forgive my language.” He said and she nodded.
“You’ve been living aboard a vessel?” she asked and his features relaxed as a grin stretched on his lips.
“Indeed, I have.” He gave a barely there nod of his head before he gently pulled her to his side, “Shall we walk or are you too cold?” he asked and she blinked rapidly.
“Um, let’s walk.” She whispered and her eyebrows rose high on her forehead when he slipped his fingers through hers. His hand was magnificently warm and an odd sensation bubbled in her stomach.
“Captain Bligh has been most kind in his accommodation but he is to leave in a month. Surely you know of our plans because of Mr. Holey.” Nicholas started as he gazed ahead.
Cassandra stiffened, “I do. You have bewitched my father with the silk’s charm, Mr. Abraham.” She told him and he gave a lopsided smirk as he gazed at her sideways.
Despite her will she looked away and cleared her throat.
“It appears that I have. Although, I fear you won’t be as easy to charm. Am I right?” Nicholas asked her and she stiffened.
“Oh?”
“Hmm. I think you’ve seen too much…It has started tiring you.” He said with a furrowed brow as he turned his head to gaze at her studiously.
“What has?” Cassandra asked while refusing to meet his dark eyes.
“Your gilded cage.” He replied immediately and she paused walking.
Slowly she turned to look at him with fire in her gaze, “Mr. Abraham, you’re always straightforward with almost everything as I’ve come to realize. But please do not make this mistake.” She told him as she slipped her hand from his and rebelliously denied to give it back when he tried to.
“And what mistake I make?” he asked her as he turned to face her.
“Do not presume that you know what I’ve seen. Do not presume to think that you know my life.” She replied as she turned sharply around and started walking again.
When he didn’t follow she looked over her shoulder and cocked an eyebrow, “Are you coming?”
Nicholas smirked and inclined his head as he started following her.
When he was walking at her side she took a deep breath and spoke again, “So, how did you receive that black eye?” she asked and she was certain that she saw him stiffen for a moment.
“Oh, let’s just say that I am a firm believer of my opinion, Ms. Holey. Some people do not seem to like that.” He murmured and she frowned.
“Um, I do not understand. Did you get into a fight? I assume you are one of those men who are not shy to enter a tavern.” She narrowed her eyes in speculation, “Did you get that bruise for a woman?” she asked him slyly and for a moment he looked surprised before he started laughing.
Cassandra smiled a bit at the sound but quickly composed herself.
“So, you think that I got this while fighting over a lass.” He smiled as he gazed at her, “What makes you think that it did not happen the other way around? What makes you think that I would be willing to fight for a woman?” he asked her and her mouth twitched as she mulled it over.
“So, are you trying to tell me that this happened by the hand of a woman?” she cocked an eyebrow and his eyes narrowed in mischief.
“Hmm. By accident, you see. What if I stepped between two women to separate them?” he smirked as he gazed ahead.
Cassandra scoffed, “Please. Women fought over you? Is that what you’re telling me?” she asked and his smirk only deepened.
Cassandra laughed, “Improbable. Perhaps they were being paid to do so?” she asked him boldly and for a moment the smirk fell from his lips.
She frowned and wondered if her comment had hit a nerve.
“Not that it’s any of my business.” She murmured and he turned to look at her as they came to stand near the edge of the dock.
“You claim that I am straightforward.” He told her as he clasped his hands behind his back and fixed his gaze on her pink from the cold face.
“Most certainly. Exceedingly so.” She nodded her head and he grinned a golden grin.
“Then we are not that different. You are remarkably outspoken as well. Not a good trait for a young lady.” He narrowed his eyes in deep thought, “Or a future wife.” He added and irk lightened her face.
“I am sorry, Mr. Abraham, but I hope that my husband won’t care much for my forthright nature. If he cares so much for his wife’s cheek then he should marry a ragdoll instead of a living woman with blood in her veins.” She snapped and Nicholas nodded and leaned slowly towards her.
“Ms. Holey, did you hear me complain?” He quirked one dark eyebrow and she swallowed thickly, “I would never wish to marry a ragdoll. It’d be dull and very impractical when it comes down to…pleasure. Wouldn’t you agree?” he reached up and touched her cheek with a single finger.
Cassandra inhaled sharply and shook her head, “You’re crude.”
“Indeed.” He murmured and then he frowned, “Oh. I forgot.” He pulled his hand away from her cheek and slipped his hand into his coat pocket.
He produced…a rose.
“Um…it’s not real.” She whispered as he offered the white and red flower to her.
He cocked an eyebrow, “Indeed.”
He smiled when she took the rose from his tanned hand and gazed at it with dubiousness.
“It’s made of…” she trailed off as she touched a petal.
“Silk? Yes, it is.” He nodded his head and chuckled when she looked at him with shock and suspicion.
“You made this?” her voice was laced with disbelief.
He laughed, “It took me a while but yes.” He nodded and she scoffed as she looked up from the silk flower.
“If you wanted to get me a rose why not buy a real one? It makes the effort and intention much more…real. Don’t you think?” she cocked an eyebrow and he smiled.
“Real flowers die though, no?” he tilted his head to the side and Cassandra hummed a bit before she looked away from him.
“Thank you then.” She murmured.
“You’re welcome.” He said in an equally soft voice before he cleared his throat and looked beyond the docks, “Shall we go get some refreshments?” he suggested and she stiffened, “There is a-…”
“No, thank you. I am afraid I do not have the time today. I need to get home.” She shook her head and he pursed his lips.
“As you wish. Shall I escort you?” he asked as he waved his hand towards the carriages.
“No, thank you. I expect that you will be visiting us soon?” she asked as she took a step back.
Nicholas smiled, “Do you wish it?”
Cassandra stiffened, “Not particularly.” She replied and the smile fell right off his lips, “But I know you will since my father is so fond of you.”
He shook his head in confusion, “What have I ever done to you? Are you all always this bitter and uncouth with all men?” he asked her and she straightened her posture.
“I know what you want but that does not mean that I am going to make it easy for you, sir. So, if you wish to have me, or rather have my father’s fortune, you’ll have to make me like you. So far you have not succeeded.” She informed him harshly before she gave a small bow and stepped back, “Have a nice evening.” She inclined her head at him and he watched her go with an increasingly irritated expression upon his face.
“Bugger.” The whisper left his lips in a harsh whisper before he turned on his heel and headed towards the Calcutta.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo


Cassandra lowered her cup of tea with a shaky hand and her brown gaze shifted towards the head of the table. Her father was reading the morning paper with his glasses perched on the top of his nose. He looked calm and composed and…content. The same could not be said for his daughter.
Taking a bite from her eggs she gazed at her father again. She put her fork down and cleared her throat.
“Father?”
“Hmm?”
She shifted in her seat and took a quick sip from her tea before she continued, “I need to ask a favor.” She blurted out at last and he didn’t bother to look up from his paper.
“Let’s hear it.”
Cassandra took a deep breath, “I need some money.” She whispered.
“Money? For what? Dresses? What’s the new fashion?” he asked, still not looking up.
She gritted her teeth and slammed her teacup down on the table, “Could you at least look at me?” she snapped and he calmly looked up with a cocked eyebrow.
“Don’t think that you can raise your voice at me, young lady.” He drawled and she swallowed hard.
“Why is it that you only pay attention when you want something?” she asked him angrily and he sighed before he put the paper away.
“Alright, alright. I am listening. What do you want the money for?” he asked her calmly and she bit her tongue hard not to scream at him.
“Medication.” She replied curtly.
“For whom?” he frowned with worry, “You?”
“No…Mother.” She forced out and George went very still.
“I thought you had already given money for that cause.” He said quietly.
“Yes, but that was a month ago.” Cassandra shook her head.
“You have your monthly allowance, Cassandra. Use it.” He replied before he went back to his paper.
“I already did.” She replied steadily and he glared at her from over the edge of the paper.
“Very well. I shall give you the money later then.” He mumbled and Cassandra’s eyes stung horribly as she gazed at him with sheer disbelief.
“Won’t you at least ask how she is?” she spat out and he didn’t move.
“She made her choice long ago.” He replied coolly.
“Are you punishing her because she did not wish to marry you?”
He abruptly slammed the paper down on the table, “No! I am punishing her because she did not care enough for you! She did not fight for you. She forfeited her position in my heart and as your mother when she chose to remain what she was! I offered her everything! I’d give her anything!” he stood, pushing his chair back harshly.
Cassandra gulped and looked away, “She’s dying. Can’t you at least respect that?” she whispered and her father sighed.
“If I did not, I would not be paying for her treatment, would I? Even if it’s her own choices that caused her sickness.”
“But-…”
“The discussion is over, Cassandra.” He cut her off with fury, “Please compose yourself. You’re not a little girl anymore.”
With that he turned on his heel and walked out of the dining room, leaving her alone in the dead silence of the empty house.


oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

“Here, it’s all I have at the moment. I shall give you more next month.” Cassandra whispered as she and Katarina hid in a dark alcove of the brothel, just by the stairs that led to the upper floors.
“It’s alright, love. It’ll do.” Katarina put the money in her cleavage and smiled sadly.
“You think?”
“Of course. We have doubled the medication because she’s in a lot of pain.” Katarina whispered, “Would you like to see her? She won’t be awake though…Probably.”
Cassandra took a deep breath and nodded, “Just from the door. I need to be back home soon.” She replied as she swallowed thickly.
Katarina nodded and Cassandra followed her up the stairs. As she walked behind the other woman, she felt her stomach churn at the sounds and smells that reached her nostrils and seeped into her pores. She felt dirty just by being there but she was not her father. She would not abandon the woman who gave her life.
They climbed two flights of stairs and then they arrived at the attic. Neither of them spoke as Katarina opened the door to let her in.


oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

“Take the candle so you can see.” Katarina said quietly as Cassandra stormed down the corridor that led to the stairs.
“I am fine.” She called sharply as she wiped a stray tear. She placed her hand onto the banister and walked down the high, narrow staircase with quick footsteps.
Katarina shook her head behind her but followed her nonetheless in silence.
Cassandra stepped onto the second floor and turned to her right so she could reach the last flight of stairs. Her skin always crawled from just being there, inhaling that pungent smell that spoke of things she didn’t know yet.
She kept her eyes on the ground so it was not surprising when she collided head first with someone’s solid chest. She stumbled back and lost her footing, falling flat on her back with a gasp of pain.
“God!” she exclaimed as sharp pain made her breath hitch, “I am sorry.” She murmured as she rearranged the skirt of her dress so it covered her thighs.
“Ms. Holey? Cassandra?” The person she had collided with asked and she froze.
She knew that drawl, that smooth voice.
Nicholas Abraham was looking down at her with shock and…fear.
“Nicholas?” she whispered just as Katarina turned the corner as well and came to stand behind her.
“Cassandra!” she exclaimed, rushing forward as if to help her but Nicholas moved first.
“I apologize for I did not see you-…” he started as he kneeled down next to her help her. The moment his hand touched her arm she flinched and her eyes turned wild.
“Don’t you touch me!” she exclaimed, pushing herself back, sliding over the wooden floor, making it creak under her weight.
He froze and raised his hands up in surrender, “Alright, alright.” He murmured with wide eyes as her wild gaze scanned him from head to toe.
“Cassandra-…” Katarina started but she did not have the chance to finish.
“What are you doing here?” Cassandra asked Abraham, ignoring Katarina.
The man in front of her stiffened and she could see that he showed regret. Probably for being caught.
“I…” he ran a hand through his loose hair as his mouth twitched with irritation, “You really want me to answer that, darling?” he murmured as he looked at her beneath thick eyelashes.
Cassandra swallowed hard and she felt as if the mere sight of him there tantalized her gag reflexes to the extreme. Who would have thought that it would take seeing him there for her to realize that despite her best attempts she had started liking him? She felt sick at the realization.
“I guess not.” She answered as slowly and clumsily picked herself up.
“Shall I take you home? What are you doing here in the first place?” he asked her as he looked her up and down with curiosity.
Her eyes flashed, “I will not answer to you!”
“Your father might want an explanation.” He smirked and she pursed her lips tightly in sheer fury.
“You come here, looking for dirty pleasure when you’re coming into my house supposedly for me? Do you think that my father would like the idea of his possible son in law falling into the cheap arms of a brothel girl?” she challenged as she approached him and glared deeply into his glimmering dark eyes, “Do you think I should let him know what you’re up to these days, Mr. Abraham?” she whispered and he narrowed his eyes in speculation.
“You appear upset to me, Cassandra. Why? I thought you did not care much for me.” He murmured with a lopsided grin and she looked at him incredulously.
“I do not. But now I know that the only reason you’re trailing after me like a puppy is my money. Goodnight, sir.” She told him with finality before she turned on her heel and disappeared into the dark.
Katarina removed her eyes from the stairs and turned to look at the man in front of her.
She smirked, “Abraham, Captain Sparrow?” she sauntered towards him with sly eyes, “What are you up to this time?” she asked him and he turned his eyes to her before a smirk appeared on his lips.
“Katarina, love.” He murmured as he straightened and reached into his pocket. He produced a coin and beckoned her closer with a single finger.
Smiling at his antics, she approached him and when she was close he hooked his finger into the neckline of her dress to tug her closer.
“This and much more will be yours if you do me one single favor.” He murmured as he licked his lips and looked at her pretty face.
She quirked an eyebrow, “What kind of favor, Captain?” she whispered as she locked eyes with him.
He grinned, “Oh, it’s simple really.” he whispered back as he trailed his nose up her cheek, “I want to know why Cassandra Holey was here. And you will help me, won’t you?” he spoke huskily into her ear as he slipped the coin into her cleavage. He placed a small kiss to her lobe and then pulled back.
“Hmm?” he cocked his head to the side as he waited for her answer.
Katarina pursed her lips, “Why you want to know that?”
“I have my reasons.” He smirked.
She sighed and looked around them for a moment before she outstretched her hand, palm up, and then smirked up at him.
“No one is ever going to call me cheap.” She explained and he chuckled before he reached into his pocket and pulled out two more coins.
She reached out to take them but he clicked his tongue.
“Ah, ah! Once I’ve gotten what I wanted you shall take the money. I take it you’re not too close with her.” He narrowed his eyes in deep thought and she chuckled.
“Not really. But it’s going to take you more than that to get to the whole story. Do we…understand each other, Jack?” she asked him and he smirked before he waved a hand towards the long corridor.
“Certainly.” He murmured and she nodded her head before she passed by him.
He took a look around before he followed her into one of the empty rooms with a lopsided grin upon his face.

End of chapter 4

Author’s note: Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed it please let me know. I ask for nothing but your comments which feed the muse by the way!!! ;)
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Xxx Lina :o)