There is No Such ...

A Continuation of Part 1

"Is anything ailing thee, milady? Are ye unwell?" Domingo immediately dashed across her and held her arm tenderly.

Seraphine suddenly lost all train of thought as he rubbed her arm, a furrowed look upon his normally smooth brow. "I... I... ooooh..."

Thus so engrossed were these two in their innocent frolics that all thoughts of poor Cassie fled from their minds. It was only when Domingo's stomach growleth that Seraphine came back to her senses.

She hastily withdrew her arm from his enticing palms and cleareth her throat, "Sire, it is not I who is unwell. But rather, my beloved friend Cassie who is to meet ye, has taken to bed for she is ill of health."

"Then we should not tarry a moment longer to pay her a visit. I doth gather that the lady is in some sort of trouble?"

Seraphine bit her lip. Forsooth, she hath deliberately forgotten to mention the real nature of this meal affair to Domingo. All he knew was, she wanted him to meet her friend to see how he could help Cassie. The sod knowest not that Seraphine had matchmaking plans up her sleeves.

"Nay, Domingo. 'Tis not necessary for the both of us to meet with her. I shall arrange for yet another meeting."

The man suddenly broke into the sunniest of smiles. "My family will be celebrating the Yuletide with a feast the next morrow. Aye, I would be honoured if ye could grace my halls with thy presence and that of Cassie's as well."

"Why, that is an excellent idea, good sir! Never fear, both me and my kindred spirit shall be present. I must go now. Fare thee well, milord."

"And a good morrow to you, dearest Seraphine," he bowed and they both took their leave.

---

"Wherefore??? Wherefore should I go to that Yuletide feast? Can't ye see?! Domingo is faint with love for thee and thou art in love with him. I shall not stand in the way of true love!" Cassie vehemently said as she bounded up from her bed. Obviously, the chit was no longer ill.

"Pray, listen to me Cassie. I doubt Domingo looketh upon me as his leman. We are friends, that is all. But I dare swear that as the sun rises and sets each morrow, I know he is a good man. A greater man I have yet to meet. And Cassie, my dearest friend, let me have the joy and the honour to introduce thee to him!"

"Nay, I cannot allow thee to do that. Besides, my heart is still wrought with melancholy over a certain person."

"Is it Edward that blackguard that ye are referring to?"

"Aye, it is he."

"That blackhearted knave! That fiend! My Domingo is worth a thousand Edwards!"

"Your Domingo, Seraphine?" Cassie smiled coyly at her best friend. "Ah, I rest my case."

Seraphine blushed a pretty rosy red, "Aye, my heart melteth at the sight of him. And even when it hears a whisper of his name. But my fair friend, he would never look upon me that very same way. For I am neither beautiful in face nor in form."

"Tommyrot!" Cassie thundered. "Thou hast the sweetest smile, the pleasantest disposition, the most cunning of wit and intelligence. Aye, a man would have to blind, deaf and dumb not to fall in love with thee. Nay, I cannot accept thy offer to be friends with Domingo. For my intuition tells me that his heart has already been enamoured by thee."

Seraphine's heart quickened when she heard what her friend said. It rather confirmed what she felt in her own heart. Surely, friends doth not look upon each other the way Domingo devoured her with his eyes that very afternoon?

But still, she decided to still place Cassie in Domingo's path to see if his heart would be apt to stray towards other pretty gels. Thus, she must get the girl to the Yuletide feast by hook or by crook. The question is how?

To be continued