“Not at all,” Miss Bunbury replied. “I just wanted to be somewhere a bit more quiet for a few moments. I don’t much like large crowds.”
“Neither do I.”
“I know.”
He squinted at her. “What was that?”
She cleared her throat. “Oh?”
“I want to apologize to you, Miss Bunbury,” he continued.
She turned to look at him. “Whatever for?”
“For burdening you with my secret last night. It was extremely ill-mannered of me. I apologize.”
She bit her lip. “Captain Swift, I haven’t written to Penelope. I—”
He nodded. “I understand. I shouldn’t have asked you to. Another attempt to burden you with my problems. Please accept my apology.”
She smiled at that. “No need to apologize, Captain. And I do hope you believe that I have no intention of telling anyone … what you told me about Penelope … or your brother.”
“Thank you for that, Miss Bunbury. You are very kind. Especially given that it may have been difficult to hear of a broken engagement, considering your circumstances. As for my brother, I…” His thoughts flashed back to the letter from Cassie, the one she’d sent last night. Apparently, she was not in the country. She’d returned to London for some reason. She said she looked forward to seeing him and she’d heard that Donald was missing and might be in danger. Julian wasn’t certain how she’d found out.
“I know you’re worried, Julian,” her letter had read. “I know you love him, you miss him, and I pray that he comes back safe and sound. But I also know that you’re thinking you can’t do it, fill his shoes if it comes to that. And I want you to know that you can. You will. I have every confidence in you.”
Cassie, as always, had got right to the heart of his deepest fear and she’d reassured him. It was just what he’d needed to hear, right when he’d needed to hear it. And it had come from Cassie. Cassie, whom he missed. Cassie, whom he’d yet to see since he’d returned. She was more than a friend. She was …
In love with another man. Possibly Upton. That’s why Upton was making him so blasted angry this evening.
“You needn’t explain, Captain Swift,” Miss Bunbury said, rousing him from his thoughts. “May I ask you something? Something a bit … forward?”
He inclined his head and grinned at her. “I think it’s only fair.”
She took a deep breath. “What made you decide you do not want to become engaged?”
She’d surprised him. He remained silent for a few moments before answering. “The truth is, Miss Bunbury, I pray you do not think me a scoundrel, but I find myself thinking quite a great deal about another lady.”
* * *
Cass couldn’t breathe. Another lady? Had she heard him correctly? Julian was in love with another lady. Another lady. Not Pen. Could it be? It had to be … her. Cass! Who else could it be? He’d never mentioned anyone else in any of his letters. She struggled to keep her face blank. “I don’t think you’re a scoundrel at all, Captain Swift.” Her stays were cutting into her lungs. She felt hot, cold, dizzy. “I understand, actually. My parents have been pushing me to marry gentlemen I don’t want to for years.”
“Ah, so you do understand?” he replied.
“More than you know,” she whispered.
“Please don’t mistake me. I’ve absolutely nothing but respect for Miss Monroe. It’s just that … We don’t know each other very well—at all, really, and there’s … someone else, whom I’ve come to know quite well. Through her letters…”
Cass closed her eyes, fighting back tears. It was her. It was. And now she would have to tell him the truth and only hope that he didn’t hate her. She would tell him her name, fall to her knees and beg him to forgive her. But first, she had to be certain. “Does this woman know you, you … care for her?”
Julian cracked a smile. “Actually, no. Not yet. I haven’t told her anything. I felt it best to end my affiliation with Penelope first.”
Cass nodded. That was so like Julian, ensuring he did the correct things in the correct manner.
He leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. “And now, I’m not certain that I’m going to tell her.”
Cass’s brows snapped together. Not certain? Why wasn’t he certain? “You do not expect the lady to return your affection?”
Julian let his head fall into his hands and scrubbed one fist through his burnished hair. “No.”
Cass stopped breathing. “No?” she echoed.
“I attempted to visit her when I was in London. And I learned … I discovered…”
Cass’s heart was nearly thumping out of her chest. It was painful. “What?” The word was barely a whisper.
Julian shook his head. “It seems she’s in love with another man.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Cass swallowed and swallowed again. Tears burned the backs of her eyes. She couldn’t breathe.
It wasn’t her.
He wasn’t talking about her. He couldn’t be. She hadn’t seen him in London, not as Cass, and she obviously wasn’t in love with another man. Julian couldn’t possibly think that about her. She’d never mentioned it in her letters, and her parents weren’t in London. They couldn’t have been the ones to tell him such nonsense. No. No. Julian was talking about someone else entirely, some other woman. Some other woman he cared about and had been writing to, all the time he’d been writing to her solely as a friend. A woman he’d never seen fit to mention to her. Cass was going to vomit. She had to get away.
“I’m … I’m ever so sorry to hear that,” she murmured, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from crying.
“It’s all right. I shouldn’t have expected that she would wait for me all these years.”
“No, I … I don’t suppose—” Her voice cracked. She didn’t care if she seemed rude. She had to leave before she broke down sobbing, wrapped her arms around his ankle, told him she was Cass, and begged him to love her. That would be very, very bad form. No. Better to leave with a shred of dignity. Perhaps she might be able to see him again. Perhaps she might be able to look at him, but right now, while her heart was breaking, she had to get away. Had to.
“I’m sorry, Captain Swift, but I fear that I’m … unable to…” She stood and ran from the room. She could hear Julian’s calls, asking after her health, if he might be of assistance, but she just couldn’t stop. Tears streamed down her face, tears she couldn’t let him see. Better to allow him to think she was mad or sick or both.
She ran out of the library, down the corridor, and up the main staircase. A few of the servants watched as she flew past. If they thought she seemed overwrought running through the halls, she didn’t care. She ran up the marble staircase and down the long corridor to her bedchamber. She didn’t stop until she landed squarely on her bed, where she let the wrenching sobs rack her entire body.
* * *
Cass cried for exactly ten minutes. She hugged a pillow against her face and bawled like a child whose Christmastide stocking was empty. Then she sat up, dried her eyes with a handkerchief she retrieved from her reticule, and stared. She crossed her arms over her chest and contemplated the wall. It occurred to her then. She was tired of crying. She’d cried the entire time she’d thought Julian was dying. She’d cried for hours, days, weeks. She’d cried and cried, and when she’d known he was coming back to marry Pen and would be forever lost to her, she’d cried more. And now, she realized, staring at the shadowy wallpaper in the darkness, she was quite through with crying. Patience Bunbury wouldn’t cry like this, would she?
She rang for her maid. The young woman appeared in the doorway, minutes later. “Maria, please send a message to the duchess and Miss Lowndes. Tell them I must see them as soon as possible.”
“Yes, my lady,” Maria said, hurrying away to do as she asked.
Yes. Cass was finished with crying. She was going to take action, just what Patience Bunbury would do. She had a plan.
Fifteen minutes later, Lucy and Ja
ne hurried into Cass’s bedchamber. “What is it, dear?” Lucy asked, flying over to her bed and pushing Cass’s curls back from her face to look at her.
“It’s Julian,” Cass replied, wiping away the last remnant of tears.
“Oh, no, what happened?” Lucy asked.
Jane watched her closely, a sympathetic look on her face. “Tell us, Cass.”
Cass straightened her shoulders. “Julian told me tonight he cares for someone else. Someone other than Penelope.”
Jane’s brow furrowed. “Not Penelope?”
“No.” Cass’s voice was calm.
“Who?” Lucy asked, looking equally confused.
“I don’t know. It doesn’t matter,” Cass replied. “I just know it’s not me … Cass, and it’s not Penelope.”
“I don’t understand, dear,” Lucy said. “Is it Patience?”
“No.”
“Who, then?” Jane asked, her hands splayed upward in a question.
“I don’t know,” Cass replied. “But whoever she is, she apparently doesn’t return his affection. He said so.”
“He said that?” Lucy asked.
“Yes,” Cass replied. “At first it made me cry. Now it’s making me angry.”
Jane’s eyebrows shot up. “Angry?”
“Yes. Angry. Angry enough to do something about it.”
Lucy’s different-colored eyes scanned her face. “What do you mean?”
Cass gritted her teeth. “I mean I need a plan.”
“A plan?” Jane echoed.
“Yes.” Cass nodded resolutely. “When I thought that I’d be breaking up Julian and Pen, I was racked with guilt. I felt absolutely awful. She may not love him, that’s true, but still, she’s my cousin and they are intended for each other.”
“Yes, dear, and…” Lucy prompted.
“Now I am without guilt. Oh, I still have guilt about lying to Julian about who I am, but I have no more guilt about taking him away from Pen. He doesn’t seem to want Pen. And I know Pen doesn’t want him.”
“What else did he say?” Jane prompted.
Cass took a deep breath. She would not reveal Julian’s secret that he intended to break things off with Pen. It was enough to tell her friends that he had feelings for someone else, some unknown woman whom Cass wanted to throttle.
“It doesn’t matter. All that matters is, if Pen doesn’t return his affection and this other woman is in love with someone else, why should I not try to make him love me?”
“You as Patience or you as Cass?” Lucy asked.
“Both!” Cass replied with a wide smile.
“This is so complicated.” Lucy sighed, tapping her finger against her cheek.
“No thanks to you,” Jane pointed out, nudging Lucy with her elbow.
Lucy gave her a mock-angry look.
Cass took a deep breath. “As long as Julian intended to marry Pen for love, I knew I couldn’t be with him, not really. But now, nothing is standing in my way. I feel no guilt whatsoever fighting for Julian with this unknown lady.”
Lucy squeezed her hand. “What do you plan to do, Cass?”
Cass pushed herself into an upright position. “Why, I’m going to be bold. You taught me that, Luce.”
Lucy and Jane exchanged worried glances.
Jane searched Cass’s face. “What exactly do you intend to do?”
Cass let a giant smile spread across her face from ear to ear. “I plan to test the depth of his devotion to whoever this woman is. I plan to fight for him. I plan to seduce Captain Julian Swift.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Cass came down to dinner the next evening in the lavender gown. She’d spent the entire afternoon with her maid, lowering the bodice, taking up the sleeves, adding a little turquoise pendant, and generally making the concoction all but indecent. As a result, her ample cleavage, which she’d never quite appreciated before, was pushed up and out to its full advantage. Garrett raised both eyebrows in obvious shock when she walked into the room, but her gaze was solely on Julian.
Julian’s gray eyes studied her and widened. Then he shifted in his chair as if he was uncomfortable. Perfect. She smiled to herself. He obviously liked what he saw, exactly what she’d wanted. She didn’t have long to contemplate the matter, however, before Lucy hurried over to her. “May I speak with you in the corridor?”
Cass didn’t have time to object. Her friend nearly dragged her out of the room, all eyes upon both of them.
Once in the cool, marble hallway, Lucy studied her from top to toe. “What are you wearing?”
Cass shrugged. “Just a gown.”
“Don’t shrug. You may pop out.” She gestured to Cass’s bosom.
Cass gasped. “I cannot believe you said that.”
Lucy lifted both brows. “I cannot believe you’re wearing that. You’re not the Cass I know.”
“No, I’m not,” Cass agreed in a whisper so the passing servants wouldn’t overhear. “I told you, I’m bent upon seduction.”
Lucy shook her head. “Be that as it may, Captain Swift just asked me a few moments ago whether I thought he should return to London in search of Penelope or was I quite certain she was indeed on her way.”
Cass shrugged. “What did you tell him?”
“I told him I was quite certain she was on her way, of course, but he’s getting more and more difficult to stave off.”
Cass laughed. “Oh, now you’re worried. Really? Aren’t you the one who has said all along not to worry?”
Lucy narrowed her eyes on her friend. “You’re not worried?”
Another shrug. “Not really. Not any longer. Did you seat me next to Julian as I asked?”
Lucy nodded. “Of course I did.”
“Excellent. Then let’s eat.” Cass stepped around Lucy and made toward the door.
Lucy put her hand on Cass’s shoulder to stop her. She narrowed her eyes again. “Who are you?”
Cass flashed her a bright smile. “Don’t you recognize me, Lucy? You created me. I’m Patience Bunbury.”
Cass swept into the dining room. The moment she entered the room, all eyes were upon her again. She boldly strode over to Julian’s side to sit at the empty seat next to him. “Captain Swift.” She nodded to him.
He stood until she sat and helped her push in her chair. Excellent. He was certain to get a good view of her décolletage from above. He looked a bit uncomfortable again when he resumed his seat. “Good evening, Miss Bunbury.”
The service began soon after, and Cass kept the conversation moving at a brisk clip, talking about things like the weather, the delicious food, and last evening’s card games. Every now and again, Julian’s eyes dipped to her chest. A little thrill shot through her. She’d never before used her feminine wiles so blatantly, but tonight, tonight she was exceedingly pleased to have them at her disposal. It was going exactly according to her plan. He winced and seemed uncomfortable each time he glanced down.
Once the last course was removed, Cass put the second part of her plan into action. “I hope you’ll skip the drinks with the gentlemen this evening and take me for a stroll around the gardens before it gets too cold.” Now that was quite bold, indeed. The art of being bold was becoming easier with practice.
“If you wish, Miss Bunbury,” Julian answered easily. He offered his arm and she put hers through his. He helped her pull up her shawl. He escorted her out of the drawing room, through the corridor, and out of the French doors in the library that led to the terrace.
They silently walked down the stone steps and into the gardens before Julian turned to face her. “I must say I was a bit surprised you asked me to escort you out here tonight.”
She tucked her head down. “Did you not say you enjoyed the outdoors?”
“I did. I do. Very much. But given the way you left the library last night…” He cleared his throat.
“I’m sorry about that,” she replied. “I wasn’t feeling quite well, I’m afraid.”
His face reflected his concer
n. “I’m pleased to hear that it wasn’t my company that caused you to run off. I do hope you’re feeling better this evening.”
“Oh, I’m feeling ever so much better this evening, Captain.”
They strolled a bit farther until they came upon the same stone bench they’d sat upon the last time they’d been in the gardens. Cass released Julian’s arm and took a seat. She patted the space next to her. If he sat there, she’d have him right where she wanted him. She leaned back and braced her hands behind her. Her chest jutted out. Perfect. She let the shawl fall away from her décolletage. Also perfect.
Unfortunately, Julian remained standing. He cleared his throat and stared off into the distance. “It’s not too cold out here for you?”
“No. Not at all.” Actually, it was freezing, especially since her chest was exposed, but she wasn’t about to tell him that. Though no doubt he could tell by the fact that her breasts were decidedly standing at, ahem, attention.
“You … you look qu-quite beautiful tonight.” He tugged at his cravat.
My word. Had she made Julian Swift blush? She couldn’t quite tell in the scant light from the candles but she had a suspicion.
Cass steeled her resolve. Whoever this other lady was, she wasn’t going to win Julian without a fight. A big fight, a fight that involved décolletage. A lot of it.
“Won’t you sit, Captain Swift? It might be a bit warmer if we … sat close to each other.”
Oh, that was scandalous. The first of many scandalous things she intended to say tonight.
He sat, though his body was rigid and he didn’t look at her.
“I do hope Penelope will arrive tomorrow,” he said, his voice a bit unsteady.
“Let’s not talk about Penelope.” Cass pressed her chest against his arm and leaned up, her mouth scant inches from his. He turned slowly. She looked into his eyes. He had to know she wanted him to kiss her. Didn’t he? Didn’t he?
She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned up, up, up … She closed her eyes and let her head fall back a little. She sighed.
Julian pulled her arms from his neck and slid away from her, ensuring a good arm’s length remained between them. “Miss Bunbury?”
The Accidental Countess Page 13