Blast it all. It washim!
Dear God. How could he not have seen this before? He’d spent his whole life wanting to change who he was, erase himself. He’d grown up an unneeded second son. Even the woman he’d been supposedly engaged to didn’t want him or need him. He’d entered the army with a death wish but he was still alive.
Now because of this letter, it was finally clear to him. Cassie was the one constant, the one truth in his whole life. Cassie loved him. She always had. How could he not have seen it in her letters, all of them until now? Why had it taken this one to show him the truth? She may have lied to him but he could forgive her that sin. Her lie was nothing compared to the much greater truth of her love.
You can do it,Cassie had said.You can be the earl. You’re strong enough. You’re good enough. And he believed that now. Knew it. With Cassie’s love and acceptance, he could face anything, even his deepest fears. She loved him. She wanted him. She made him feel as if he was the only man on earth. And he adored her.
He shoved the letter into his inside jacket pocket, stood from the sofa and rang for Pengree. The butler soon appeared once more.
“Pengree, have the coach put to and brought round immediately.”
The butler nodded. “Certainly. Where will you be going, my lord?”
Julian turned to face the servant. “To Lady Cassandra Monroe’s house.”
Daphne stepped into the room, her arms crossed over her chest, a knowing look on her face. “You’re too late.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Julian stopped short. “What do you mean?
“She’s probably already gone,” Daphne replied.
Julian stared at his sister and blinked. “Cassie’s not there?”
Daphne shook her head. “She was planning to leave today.”
Julian clenched his jaw. A mixture of anger and fear congealed in his chest. “Where is she going?”
Daphne strode past him into the study. “I suggest you shut the door.”
Pengree, a wide-eyed look on his face, quickly took himself off to summon the coach.
Julian pulled the door closed and turned to face his sister. “How do you know Cassandra is leaving?”
Daphne took a seat on the sofa and watched her brother closely. Her arms remained crossed over her chest. “I know because I helped plan her escape.”
“Escape?” He took two long strides toward her and settled his hands on his hips. “What the hell are you talking about? I swear, if this is another one of your tricks like the other day in the park—”
Daphne rolled her eyes at him. “If this is another one of my tricks like the park then you’ll end up in the company of one Lady Cassandra Monroe. And unless I misunderstand, that’s exactly what you want this time, is it not?”
He couldn’t argue with that logic. “Don’t toy with me, Daphne,” he warned, narrowing his eyes on her. “What’s going on?”
Daphne flourished a hand in the air. “Cass wrote to me. She asked me to come over and help her. Jane Lowndes was there, too. You know, that Jane is quite intelligent. She had some wonderful ideas. Cass, I’m afraid, would make a terrible spy. A bit too high-strung for it.”
Julian fought the urge to grind his teeth. “Daphne, you’re making no sense. What are you saying? Where is Cassie? Why would she need to be a spy?”
Daphne laughed. “She wouldn’t, silly. I only meant that she’s not very adept at duplicity.”
Julian snorted. “You didn’t see her pretending to be Patience Bunbury.”
“It can’t have been easy for her,” Daphne replied with a wan smile.
“Where is she, Daphne?” he said, groaning.
Daphne had the grace to look a bit contrite. “I cannot tell you that as I am sworn to secrecy.”
Now he wanted to throttle her. “Fine, then, if you’re sworn to secrecy, why did you bother telling me she wasn’t at home?”
