Rafe arched a brow at her. “That’s why I’ve come.”
“For my party? I don’t recall sending you an invitation.” More glass between her teeth.
“Your brother invited me, actually, but that’s not why I’m here. I’m here specifically to speak with you.”
“About?” She feigned interest in the crystal vase that stood atop the small rosewood table next to her chair, drawing her fingertip along its base.
“You really don’t know?” His voice dripped with skepticism.
She directed her gaze back at him and gave him a you-can’t-affect-me smile. “Know what?”
“That you shouldn’t be planning an engagement given the fact that you are married to me.”
CHAPTER THREE
“But Julian, you promised me a favor.” Daphne paced back and forth in front of the windows in her brother’s large study that overlooked the square. After what Rafe had just told her moments ago, she’d hurried from the drawing room, telling him she’d return shortly and refusing to listen to his entreaties that she hear the rest of it.
“Yes,” Julian replied. “And I delivered on that favor when I resisted the urge to thrash you or throttle you when you told me a few weeks ago that you’re secretly married to Cavendish. Your favor is all used up.”
“But youmusthelp me,” she pleaded, wringing her hands.
“No, I mustn’t. I’m still incensed over the fact that you did something so reckless without consulting me and that you—”
Daphne reached out her hands to him in supplication. “But everything is about to be ruined. Lord Fitzwell is coming and I’m to be engaged and Captain Cavendish is here and I can barely breathe and—”
“Good heavens, dear. Calm down. I’m quite worried for you.” Cassandra, Julian’s new wife, came floating into the study just then with the tea tray she’d gone to fetch so that Pengree wouldn’t overhear their private conversation. A bit of news like a lady of the house already being married during her supposed engagement party was bound to be a popular bit of gossip even among the most steadfast servants. “Julian, darling, hear her out.”
Julian let out a deep breath, but smiled at his wife as she laid the tray on the desktop and poured a cup of tea, adding two lumps of sugar before handing it to Daphne.
“Yes, see, Cass knows. She wants you to help,” Daphne said.
“I didn’t say that, dear,” Cass replied. “I merely think it best for Julian to hear all of the facts before he makes a decision. Not to mention I’m quite curious to learn exactly what happened between you and Captain Cavendish that resulted in a wedding and your desire to get an annulment as soon as possible.”
“Very well,” Julian said, pouring his own drink. Brandy, not tea. “I’ll hear you out, Daphne, but you’d best make it quick. I’ve little patience for this.”
Cass finished pouring her own cup of tea and hurried over to the settee where she curled up and sipped while she listened.
Setting her teacup aside, Daphne resumed pacing in front of her brother’s desk, her hands folded in front of her. “You remember last year when Donald and Mama wrote to you and told you that I’d run off for a fortnight?”
Julian’s eyes nearly bugged from his skull. “Lower your voice.”
“I remember!” Cass piped up.
“I do, too. You never did explain what that escapade was about,” Julian said.
“Donald knew, part of it. But I never told Mama. I didn’t want to worry her. I’d convinced Rafe that he needed me for help on a mission. For the War Office.”
If Julian’s eyes had seemed to bug from his skull a moment ago, now they were in imminent danger of actually popping out and rolling about on the fine rug. He lunged from his seat and braced his hands on the desktop in front of him, looming over Daphne. “You accompanied Cavendish on a mission for the War Office? Are you mad? Is Cavendish mad? I’m going to murder him!”
“Now, Julian, you promised to hear Daphne out,” Cass quietly interjected.
Julian growled but slowly resumed his seat. “Go on,” he said through clenched teeth.
Daphne swallowed once but her voice was steady when she continued her pacing. “Yes, well. I sort of convinced him to, ahem, agree to allow me to come.”
Julian’s dark gray eyes narrowed on her. “How did you—” He groaned again. “Perhaps I don’t want to know.”
Daphne plunked her hands on her hips. “It was nothing indecent, I’ll have you know.”
