Where should she begin? With the ball? With the duel?
‘Your hesitation is making me anxious,’ Portia said, probably assuming the worst.
‘After the duel, I was afraid Julian would be charged with murder. I went to the Duke’s house and nursed him.’
‘How noble,’ Portia said with a grim expression. ‘But that is not what I mean. How well do youknowhim?’
Cassie blushed. ‘A few kisses.’ She thought. ‘Two. Only two.’ Somehow, it had seemed like more.
Portia’s eyebrows rose. ‘Interesting.’
In what way, Cassie wondered. Was that too many? Too few? ‘He gave me this,’ Cassie said, holding up the Bible in defense. Then, she added, ‘I left it in his bedroom,’ which quite spoiled the explanation.
Portia stared at her for a moment, stunned to silence. Then, she shook her head and held up a hand in defeat. ‘This will make an interesting story which you can tell me at a later date.The immediate question is what you are planning to tell your brother.’
‘Me?’ The word came out as a squeak.
‘You,’ Portia said in a firm voice.
At first, she had thought that there would be a way to hide the truth indefinitely. But things were changing. If the Duke was serious in pursuing her, at some point, everyone would learn of it.
‘The longer you wait, the more difficult it will become,’ Portia said in a stern voice. ‘And I have no intention of helping you.’
‘I didn’t expect you would,’ Cassie assured her. ‘But, perhaps, Westbridge…’
Portia let out a sharp laugh. ‘That would be…’ She shook her head. ‘Inadvisable.’
‘The man is normally the one to go to the family.’
‘If they are serious about the future,’ Portia said, giving her another serious look.
Was he serious? She still did not know. ‘He made an offer,’ she said, grasping at the bit of good news.
‘Of what?’ Portia said, with a doubtful smile.
‘Formal wedding, with banns read and all.’
Portia’s look of surprise returned, and for a moment, she was quiet, as though thinking. ‘It still must come from you. The relationship between the two men is cordial now, but it has been volatile. We do not want them to come to blows over a misunderstanding.’
Cassie nodded. She could not say that she liked the idea of talking to Julian, but she could see the truth in what his wife was saying. If she was serious in her feelings about the Duke, she would need to negotiate a safe path forward for all of them.
Portia’s smile relaxed, and she held out a hand. ‘Come. We will go home together, as if nothing has happened. Supper willbe late tonight as Parliament is in session. You will have time to think of what to say to Septon, when he comes home.’
Cassie rose and gestured to Bessie and they walked to the entrance of the park where a carriage was waiting to take them back to the townhouse. Once there, she went to her room and pretended to nap before supper. But sleep was impossible with her mind racing over the things she needed to say when she came to the table.
When Julian finally arrived and they sat down to eat, she refilled her wine glass three times. But by the time that dessert was served, she’d said nothing of importance, limiting herself to smiles and nods and agreeing with her brother’s opinion about the quality of the food and the disappointing state of English politics.
When her brother got up to leave, Portia announced, ‘I think Cassandra has something she wishes to say.’
He turned back to her, smiled and waited.
This was the moment. She said a silent prayer for strength, opened her mouth and said, ‘I just wanted to thank you again for this wonderful opportunity. I am enjoying my time in London very much.’ Then, she fell silent again, ignoring Portia’s frustrated sigh.
Julian looked at her, confused. Then, he said, ‘You’re welcome. And now, I think it is time for me to retire.’
‘Good night,’ she said with a nervous smile.
And then, he was gone. Portia followed him after one final annoyed look in her direction.
