“No need to explain,” Mr. Cavendish replied. “You may depend upon my discretion. For I myself have done far worse. AndIhave the kinds of secrets that, were I to share, might well get me hanged.”
“What are you saying?” Sarah breathed.
“I’m saying you could not have a more ready ally,” Mr. Cavendish replied.
Sarah and Christian both stared at the man in disbelief.
“Besides,” Mr. Cavendish continued, “what do you thinkI’mup to, roaming the halls at this time of night? No good, I assure you.” He winked at them and, whistling, continued down the corridor to his bedchamber.
CHAPTER FORTY
The next morning, Lucy Hunt came to collect Sarah from her room an hour before the wedding was to begin. With the help of her maid, Sarah had washed and dressed and was outfitted in a pretty morning dress of bright yellow, with her hair twisted high atop her head and a bonnet tied securely with a golden ribbon on the side. The only evidence of her hideous night was the slight puffiness to her eyes and the dark circles underneath them. Bother.
“I was hoping you’d accompany me,” Lucy explained after Sarah had ushered her into the room. “I cannot wait to attend this wedding. It’s been a long time coming.”
“I’m certain it shall be quite beautiful.” Sarah sighed, trying not to think of her own looming wedding.
“Yes.” Lucy nodded. “Beautiful and a bit unusual considering they’re already married.”
Sarah’s mouth fell open. She turned to Lucy with wide eyes. “Pardon?”
Lucy flourished a hand in the air. “Oh, a story for another time, dear. Now, will you come with me? I saw your parents downstairs earlier with Lord Branford.”
Sarah decided to hold her tongue regarding the questions she had about Daphne and Rafe already being married. She’d learned that Lucy’s set of friends made up an odd bunch. “Lord Branford is here?” she asked instead. “I had hoped he’d cancel.”
The side of Lucy’s mouth quirked up in a smile. “You wouldn’t be so lucky.”
“Of course Mother and Father are already dancing attendance upon him.” Sarah sighed.
“Of course,” Lucy replied. “They look quite enamored of him. Especially your father. I thinkheshould marry the man.”
Sarah groaned and pressed a finger to her pounding temple. “Don’t make me laugh. My head hurts ever so much this morning.”
Lucy smoothed one elegant eyebrow. “I wasn’t going to mention it, dear, but you do look a little pale, and have you been crying?”
Sarah dropped to the cushioned seat in front of the dressing table. She stared back at her own hollow reflection. “Oh, Lucy. If I told you what happened yesterday… and last night, you’d never speak to me again.”
In a rustle of skirts, Lucy moved over to her and placed her hand on Sarah’s shoulder. “Dear, you know that’s not true. And now you must tell me, because you have sorely piqued my curiosity.”
Sarah drew a deep, shaky breath. She glanced up at Lucy and saw only sympathy and understanding in the duchess’s unusually colored eyes. She opened her mouth to say only one thing, but ten minutes later, she had poured out the entire sordid story, leaving out none of the details, including the fact that Cade Cavendish had witnessed her ignominious exit from Christian’s room last night.
“Ooh, what do you suppose Cade’s done?” Lucy asked, her eyes wide and interested.
Sarah furrowed her brow. “You do realize that’s not the point of the story, don’t you?”
“Oh, yes, of course, dear. This is about you now.” Lucy tossed her head, her black curls bouncing. “Very well, nothing you’ve told me sounds bad at all. In fact, I’d say it’s all quite good.”
Sarah’s mouth fell open. The furrow in her brow deepened. “What in heaven’s name are you talking about? Didn’t you hear what I said? I cannot believe I did that. Any of that. I’m a harlot. A shameless wanton. Lord Branford must never find out.”
“You’re hardly a shameless wanton, dear. Why, Cass, Jane, and I did much worse than that before we married our respective husbands.”
“What!”
“It’s true. Don’t look so shocked.”
Sarah snapped her mouth shut and contemplated that surprising news for a moment.
“It’s not unusual at all, and you should in no way feel guilty for it,” Lucy continued.
