“You knew about this mad ploy and you didn’t think it absurd?”
“Oh, it’s absurd to be sure. Though I think you’d have to know the Duchess of Claringdon to truly understand. She’s a bit… unpredictable.”
“And you didn’t see fit to mention to Penelope that her cousin and friend were playacting in the country?”
Daphne plunked her hands on her hips. “And spoil the fun? I wouldn’t think of it.”
“You’re mad, too,” Julian declared, shaking his head.
“My point is that you have, in fact, seen Lady Cassandra.”
“Yes.”
“So I needn’t explain my reasoning for why I bet Mother that you’d break things off with Penelope.” Daphne smiled at him sweetly. “And I thank Lady Cassandra kindly for my five pounds.”
Julian shook his head. Yes, Daphne was no longer a cute little girl with a penchant for asking too many questions. She’d grown up to be an astute young woman who was much more thoughtful than she first appeared. Thankfully, Julian was spared more inquiry from his talkative sister when their coach pulled to a stop in front of the Hillboroughs’ town house. Julian alighted first and then turned to help Daphne from the coach.
As soon as Daphne’s slippered feet touched the ground, the siblings turned toward the front door.
Directly into the path of… Lady Moreland, Garrett Upton, and Cassandra Monroe.
Julian gritted his teeth. He glanced away but not before he caught a glimpse of her. Cassandra looked like a dream in a violet-colored gown, diamonds sparkling at her throat.
“Now this is going to be an interesting evening,” Daphne said, with a wide grin on her impish little face. “An interesting evening, indeed.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Cass nodded a brief greeting to Daphne Swift and turned away. Thankfully, Garrett was there at her elbow to guide her toward the house. Her mother was babbling on, seemingly oblivious to the other two. There was no help for it but to stand in the receiving queue next to Julian and Daphne. She could feel Julian’s eyes on the back of her neck. Or was that only wishful thinking? Perhaps he wasn’t looking at her at all, perhaps he was completely ignoring her. But she couldn’t ignore him. She closed her eyes. There it was, his cologne, the deliciously spicy mixture that always teased her senses.
Thank heavens the queue moved quickly at least. Unfortunately, Daphne Swift did not intend to allow them to maintain a solemn silence.
“It’s lovely to see you again, Lady Cassandra,” Daphne said.
Cass was forced to turn around. All of them exchanged awkward greetings. Her mother was cold and standoffish as usual.
“You, too,” Cass choked out, nodding to Daphne. “Have you had any news about your brother and Captain Cavendish?”
A flash of pain flitted across Daphne’s pretty face. “No. Nothing, I’m afraid. Isn’t that right, Julian?”
Julian’s face was a stone mask. “Nothing. Yet.”
“I do hope you hear soon and that the news is favorable,” Cass added.
“Indeed,” Cass’s mother managed to add.
Garrett and Julian exchanged narrowed-eyed glares.
“Thank you very much, Lady Moreland, Lady Cassandra,” Daphne replied.
Julian maintained his stony silence.
“My brother and I were just talking about you,” Daphne added, watching Cass’s face.
Cass’s mother’s expression was pinched, as if she’d just smelled something distasteful. Julian’s eyes flared a bit but otherwise his expression did not change. Cass could only guess that he was imagining himself stepping on his sister’s foot just then.
“Oh?” was Cass’s only reply.
“Yes. I was just commenting to Julian that you’ve grown into such a beauty since he’s been gone, Lady Cassandra.”
