Lucy looked up into the tree branches hovering above them wishing she could somehow turn into a bird and fly far away. “Not exactly. But let’s just say it’s nothing I’d want to explain in detail to my mother, either.”
Jane nodded sympathetically. “Few things are, dear. Few things are.”
“Oh, Janie, what am I going to do?” Lucy let her face drop into her hands again.
Jane tapped her fingertips along the edge of the bench. “I must tell you the truth, Luce. It is a pickle. An astonishing pickle, to be sure. But it’s not insurmountable. You know, Lucy, Cass isn’t particularly interested in the duke, in fact, she’s been acting as if—”
Lucy winced. “Oh, wait. There’s more.”
Jane’s eyebrows shot up. “More?”
“Yes.” Lucy nodded. “Cass has decided to give Derek a chance, and today she received a letter from Julian saying good-bye and telling her to marry him.”
“Marry Julian?”
“No, marry Derek.”
“What?”
“Exactly!” Lucy blew out a long breath. “Julian asked Cass to promise him that she would marry Derek.”
“Ooooh,” Jane said. “And what about Lord Berkeley? You haven’t even mentioned him.”
“Oh, I kissed him, too.”
“What?”
“That’s right.”
“How was it?”
“It was… nice,” Lucy answered glumly. “Oh, Janie. Tell me there’s some way out of this. Tell me there’s something I can do to make this right.”
Jane stood up and paced in front of the bench. “First of all, what’s the duke doing kissing you if he’s supposed to be courting Cass?”
Lucy nodded. “Yes, there is that to consider. The first time it was quite unexpected and we both agreed never to speak of it again. The second time was a…” Oh, sheknewshe was flushed bright red. “A bit more deliberate and bit more involved and I—”
Jane covered her ears with both hands. “Please spare me the details.”
“Don’t worry. I wasn’t going to tell youthat. It’s just that it’s been since Cass has taken ill and he hasn’t seen her since. I think he’s as confused about what to do as I am.”
Jane pulled her hands away from her ears. “It does sound like a mess. Have you told Garrett?”
“I can’t tell Garrett. I kissed the man! And I… did other things.”
Jane nodded. “I understand. He’s your cousin.” She resumed her pacing. “What is it that youwantto do?”
Lucy blinked. “I don’t understand.”
Jane laughed. “It’s a simple question, Lucy. What do you want?”
“What does that matter? Cass and Derek are meant to be married.”
Jane stopped pacing and faced her, her hands on her hips. “That doesn’t answer my question,” she replied in a singsong voice.
Lucy twisted her hands together. “I can’t even think about being with Derek. It feels like a betrayal of Cass. I’m the worst friend in the world for what I’ve already done.”
“No, you’re not. You’re merely human, and this entire situation has been complicated to say the least. Cass isn’t certain she cares for the duke. You cannot be blamed for being confused as well. Though I must say it complicates things even more that he kissed you. More than once. And, ahem, did other things.”
