Cass wrinkled her brow. “What do you mean?” It was not his plan? He’d never mentioned anything like that in his letters.
He opened his eyes again and shook his head. He smiled slightly but it was a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. The one he used in ballrooms and public places where people asked him too many questions. She hated that he was using it with her. “Ah, much too grim a subject for such a festive night,” he said.
“Tell me something else about yourself then,” she said. She’d originally asked because Miss Bunbury wouldn’t know, but the answer surprised her. What else didn’t she know about Julian?
He grinned. “I’m rubbish at cards, you’ve already borne witness to my poor dancing skills, and I am the kingdom’s most unenthusiastic hunter.”
Cass blinked at him. “I didn’t know that you’re rubbish at cards.”
He frowned.
“I mean… I… it surprises me, that’s all. I thought you might have played during the war. With your men, I mean.”
“The officers played, that’s true, quite a lot. But I can hardly claim I won much. It was fortunate that we never played for anything valuable. Against rules, you know.”
Cass closed her eyes. Therewerethings about him, certain things that she didn’t know, it seemed. He’d mentioned the card games with the officers in his letters. She’d always pictured him winning every hand. Now that she considered it, however, he’d never claimed as much. She dared a glance at him out of the corner of her eye. He was the man she’d loved for so long through his letters. But he was also something else, flesh and blood, real and true and sitting beside her.
“Tell me something, Miss Bunbury.”
There it was again, the reminder that she was a liar. She wrapped her cloak even more tightly over her shoulders. “You’ve been kind enough to answer my questions, Captain Swift. I’m happy to answer one of yours.”
“How are you?” His voice was soft, caring. She’d always imagined his voice like this when she’d read his letters.
She blinked and blinked again. “How… am I, Captain Swift?” Whatever could he mean?
“In Penelope’s last letter, she told me that you’d been jilted over the summer.”
Cass nearly choked. “I… um…” That was right. Pen had mentioned that she’d told Julian that Patience Bunbury had been jilted. Mr. Albatross, wasn’t it? That was the reason why poor Patience needed her good friend Penelope at her side at the house party. Some friend she was, Cass thought with a bit of irony.
“I hope I haven’t embarrassed you by asking the question.” He gave her a small encouraging smile. It was just like Julian to ask a stranger how she was holding up. That’s what Cass loved about him, his kind heart.
“No. I… I’m quite fine. Er, at least I will be.”Once I stop lying.“Albus… er… Mr. Albatross. He and I didn’t suit. It’s for the best.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“How are you?” The words spilled from her lips more as a way to change the subject than anything else.
“Me?” There was a note of surprise in his voice.
“Yes, I’d truly like to know. It can’t have been easy for you, all those years at war.”
He let out a breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “It’s where I belong… belonged. Actually, now I’m not certain where I belong.”
She wrinkled her nose. “What do you mean?”
He let out a shaky laugh. “I recently learned that my brother is missing… in France.”
She pressed a hand to her heart. “Your brother? Your brother is missing?”
“Yes. My brother is the Earl of Swifdon. He… he was on business in France and hasn’t returned.”
“I didn’t know your brother was traveling,” she said.
Julian furrowed his brow. “You didn’t know I had a brother. How could you know he was traveling?”
She glanced away. “Oh, I… um. Of course not.” She cleared her throat. “You said he was there on business, however. So I just assumed… For the Crown?”
“He… yes. Parliamentary business.”
