Lucy straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I have yet to see Miss Monroe today, Captain Swift.” Cass winced at the new lie. “But I assure you, I intend to go in search of her immediately and get to the bottom of this.”
Lucy swept up her skirts and headed for the door, obviously in a rush to leave before she had to come up with an even more elaborate story.
“Miss Bunbury, will you please keep Captain Swift company while I find Miss Monroe?”
Cass opened her mouth to protest but shut it again when she saw the look on Julian’s face. As if he… wanted her to stay. “Of course,” she murmured lamely.
Moments later, the door shut behind Lucy, and Cass screwed up her courage. Now was the time. Finally. She could not allow this farce to continue a moment longer. Julian would only hate her all the more for it later. Not to mention the fact that only the truth would serve to explain all of this once Pen appeared.
“Captain Swift, I—”
“I’m glad Lady Worthing left us alone,” Julian said, crossing over to the settee and sitting next to Cass.
Cass blinked. “You are?”
“Yes. Quite.” He smiled at her. “I’m not certain what Penelope is up to, but her lying to me like that has just served to reinforce my decision to end things with her. She’s not the same girl I knew in my youth.”
Cass nearly whimpered. She glanced away. “I suppose she’ll have a good explanation.”
“What possible explanation could she have for impersonating another woman? It makes no sense. It’s positively mad.”
That was it. The tiny bit of courage Cass had screwed up drained from her soul in that instant. She couldn’t tell him. Not now. Oh, she was a horrible coward.
“You didn’t…” Her voice wavered. “You didn’t have a chance to break things off with her?”
His laugh was scornful. “How could I when she was telling me she was someone else entirely? It was laughable.” He narrowed his eyes. He turned to face Cass. “You don’t suppose she discovered my intentions? That she lied to me to keep me from saying what I meant to?”
Cass went hot and cold. Oh, God. He was questioning whether she’d kept his secret. “She didn’t hear it from me, Captain.” She hung her head. There at least was one truth in the midst of all the lies.
He paced across the rug, his arms folded behind his back. “No. No, of course she didn’t. And even if she suspected, it is still mad to pretend you’re someone else in order to keep from hearing bad news.”
Cass could only nod. The lump of guilt and regret in her throat was choking her. She couldn’t utter a word.
“As soon as Penelope returns I intend to confront her. She took me by surprise before. I didn’t know what to say. I thought perhaps Lady Worthing might know why she was acting so strangely.”
Another nod from Cass. “That is probably best.”
“I will tell her that our engagement is off. And then…”
Cass glanced up. “And then?” She swallowed hard. “France?”
“Well, yes… But first, first I intend to find you, Miss Bunbury, and kiss you senseless.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The plan was put into motion quickly as most of Lucy’s plans were. Julian was asked to remain in the blue drawing room. Pen was informed that her intended had recognized her after all and would like to speak with her again. She was a bit disappointed, but she readily agreed to meet with him once more. She took off to the blue drawing room, escorted by one of the housemaids.
As soon as Pen was on her way, Lucy motioned to Cass and Jane. “This way.”
“Why?” Cass replied, her brow furrowed. “Where are we going?”
“We must go to the gold drawing room. It’s next to the blue one. We’ll be able to hear their conversation if we pin our ears to the wall.”
“Oh, Lucy. That is horrid. We cannot do that,” Cass said, frowning at her friend.
“What?” Lucy shrugged. “It’s not as if I enjoy eavesdropping. I am forced to. We must know what they say to each other so we can keep our own stories straight. Besides, you told me yourself that you didn’t tell him you’re Cass yet. If you’re so worried about all of this, why didn’t you tell the truth when I left the room?”
“Because I’m detestable.” Cass moaned. “I’m detestable and so is eavesdropping.”
