Daphne’s jaw dropped. “How did you see—”
Cass tapped her fingertips along the arms of the chair. “I must agree with Lucy, dear. I was madly in love for years with someone I couldn’t have. I know the signs when I see them.”
Daphne shook her head so vigorously her bun came loose. “I’m not madly in love with him. I’m not.”
Lucy’s smile was scandalous. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you, perhaps, just a little in love with him?”
Daphne set the replica on her bedside table. She stood and paced to the windows, standing in between the two chairs. “Very well,” she conceded. “Perhaps. Just a little.” Daphne whirled to face them and pressed her palms to both cheeks. “This is awful, isn’t it?”
Cass and Lucy exchanged satisfied looks.
“Not awful at all, dear. It’s wonderful.” Cass reached up to squeeze Daphne’s hand.
Daphne plopped down on the window seat and gave Cass her hand. “But it’s not that easy. What about the blond doxy?”
Lucy cleared her throat. “Yes, about that. I hope you don’t mind but Cass recounted that particular tale to me, and I have to say, I don’t think it makes much sense.”
Daphne’s head snapped to face the duchess. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, why in the world would Captain Cavendish have been downstairs looking foryouif he had a blond waiting for him in his bed? And why didn’t he lock the door between the two rooms to keep you from finding her?”
Daphne’s heart hammered in her throat. “But she was in his bed and—”
“And what?”
“You didn’t actuallyseethem touching, did you?” Lucy asked.
“No.” Daphne’s voice trailed off.
Cass winced and returned her hand to her own lap. “I have to say when I first heard it, it sounded quite condemning, but upon further reflection, I agree with Lucy. I can’t say I’d believe that Captain Cavendish would take a woman to his bed with you in the room right next door, Daphne. It’s beyond the pale even for a rogue.”
Daphne shook her head. She didn’t know what made any sense anymore but there was more than one reason she and Rafe couldn’t be together. She said the only thing she could think of at the moment. “But Rafe’s refused to allow me to go to France with him.”
“Daphne, be reasonable,” Cass replied. “That trip is far too dangerous for you. Captain Cavendish couldn’t have asked Julian for such a favor. Even if he wanted to.”
“Why not?” Daphne asked. But she already knew the answer and knew she was acting like a pouting child for asking.
“If it makes you feel any better, I can assure you Julian wouldn’t have said yes,” Cass added.
Daphne braced her palms on either side of her thighs on the cushion. She stared down at her slippers, dejected. “Has Rafe left yet? Do you know?”
Lucy’s eyes twinkled. “Derek says he leaves for France in two days.”
“Yes, and he’s commissioned Jane to write a letter for him. But I can’t say any more than that. I’m sworn to secrecy,” Cass added.
Daphne pressed her fingers to her eyes. “Why do I have this awful feeling that I’m never going to see him again?” She moved her hands down to her belly. “I feel sick.”
Cass leaned over, put her hand on Daphne’s forehead, and patted it softly. “You’re in love, dear. We all feel as if we’re going to be sick when we’re in love.”
“Oh, Cass, what am I to do?” Daphne asked, taking a deep breath.
“You can never go wrong if you’re honest and follow your heart,” Cass said, with a knowing smile. “Isn’t that what you always told me, Lucy?”
Lucy pushed a bouncy black curl away from her forehead. “Yes, it is, but in this particular instance I believe more drastic action needs to be taken.”
Daphne blinked and looked at Lucy. “Like what?”
“In this case, follow your heart means bring your gentleman up to scratch.” Lucy punctuated the last word with a firm stamp on the floor.
