Julian smiled again. “For one thing, Cassandra wrote to me and told me, and for another, I see a ring on your finger.”
Hunt laughed a long, loud laugh. “I did my best with Cassandra, believe me. But she was entirely uninterested in me. It seems she—” Hunt hesitated, then he shook his head. “It seems she is in love with another man.”
Julian’s breath caught in his throat. He narrowed his eyes on Hunt. “Cassandra’s in love with someone? She never mentioned that in her letters.”
Hunt coughed into his fist and glanced away. “Be that as it may… she rejected me quite thoroughly.”
“And in the meantime, Cassandra and Jane Lowndes, and everyone else realized that you were perfectly suited for their friend Lucy.”
“Yes, Lucy Hunt now, my duchess.”
Julian raised his glass. “Congratulations, my friend, and very best wishes to your new bride.”
“I’d introduce you to Lucy but she’s gone out to visit with friends this afternoon.”
“Another time, then. I look forward to it.”
Hunt let out a long breath. “You don’t want to pound me to a pulp, then?”
“No.” Julian smiled. “I asked you to marry Cassandra when I thought I was dying. Everything’s changed now.” He glanced away, out the window, watched a coach rumble down the dusty street.Everything’s changed.
Hunt cleared his throat. “Which has led to your decision about Penelope?”
Julian pulled himself from his thoughts. “Precisely.”
“I see. Have you gone to visit Cassandra yet?” Hunt asked.
“No. I intend to go there next.” Julian shifted in his chair. “Which brings me to the other reason for my visit.”
Hunt nodded. “Which is?”
“Have you heard anything more about Donald?” Julian asked.
Hunt rubbed a hand against the back of his neck. “Damn it. We were trying to keep you from knowing about that.”
“I know. When your brother came to see me in hospital, he would barely mention it. I had to pry the smallest bit of information out of him.”
“Collin and I didn’t want you to worry. We wanted you to concentrate on recovering.”
“I understand,” Julian replied. “But now I need to know. Do you know anything more?”
“Unfortunately, no. According to the War Office, Donald and Rafe are still missing in France. I’m leaving for Bristol soon for a debriefing on the latest and hope to learn more. Wellington finally agreed. Collin and I are returning to the Continent to search for them.”
Julian shook his head. “I tried my damnedest to get Wellington to allow me to stay on the Continent and help search.”
“You nearly died, Swift. You deserve to be back home. Rest.”
Julian clenched his jaw and glanced out the window again. “I’ve been resting for months.”
“It was that or permanently rest six feet under.”
Julian bowed his head. “He’s my brother, Hunt.”
“I know.”
And Hunt did know. His own youngest brother, Adam, had been with Donald and their friend Rafferty Cavendish on the Continent. But they hadn’t been in battle. They had been doing something far more dangerous… spying on the French. Why his steadfast brother would agree or even attempt to be a spy, Julian had no idea. At this point he had more questions than answers.
Hunt’s second brother, Collin, had already led one trip to the Continent where he’d managed to locate Adam and bring him back to London, but Rafe and Donald were still missing. Apparently, Wellington had finally consented to allow Derek and Collin to return for another look.
