The Accidental Countess (17 page)

“It doesn’t matter. All that matters is, if Pen doesn’t return his affection and this other woman is in love with someone else, why should I not try to make him love me?”

“You as Patience or you as Cass?” Lucy asked.

“Both!” Cass replied with a wide smile.

“This is so complicated.” Lucy sighed, tapping her finger against her cheek.

“No thanks to you,” Jane pointed out, nudging Lucy with her elbow.

Lucy gave her a mock-angry look.

Cass took a deep breath. “As long as Julian intended to marry Pen for love, I knew I couldn’t be with him, not really. But now, nothing is standing in my way. I feel no guilt whatsoever fighting for Julian with this unknown lady.”

Lucy squeezed her hand. “What do you plan to do, Cass?”

Cass pushed herself into an upright position. “Why, I’m going to be bold. You taught me that, Luce.”

Lucy and Jane exchanged worried glances.

Jane searched Cass’s face. “What exactly do you intend to do?”

Cass let a giant smile spread across her face from ear to ear. “I plan to test the depth of his devotion to whoever this woman is. I plan to fight for him. I plan to seduce Captain Julian Swift.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Cass came down to dinner the next evening in the lavender gown. She’d spent the entire afternoon with her maid, lowering the bodice, taking up the sleeves, adding a little turquoise pendant, and generally making the concoction all but indecent. As a result, her ample cleavage, which she’d never quite appreciated before, was pushed up and out to its full advantage. Garrett raised both eyebrows in obvious shock when she walked into the room, but her gaze was solely on Julian.

Julian’s gray eyes studied her and widened. Then he shifted in his chair as if he was uncomfortable. Perfect. She smiled to herself. He obviously liked what he saw, exactly what she’d wanted. She didn’t have long to contemplate the matter, however, before Lucy hurried over to her. “May I speak with you in the corridor?”

Cass didn’t have time to object. Her friend nearly dragged her out of the room, all eyes upon both of them.

Once in the cool, marble hallway, Lucy studied her from top to toe. “What are you wearing?”

Cass shrugged. “Just a gown.”

“Don’t shrug. You may pop out.” She gestured to Cass’s bosom.

Cass gasped. “I cannot believe you said that.”

Lucy lifted both brows. “I cannot believe you’re
wearing
that. You’re not the Cass I know.”

“No, I’m not,” Cass agreed in a whisper so the passing servants wouldn’t overhear. “I told you, I’m bent upon seduction.”

Lucy shook her head. “Be that as it may, Captain Swift just asked me a few moments ago whether I thought he should return to London in search of Penelope or was I quite certain she was indeed on her way.”

Cass shrugged. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him I was quite certain she was on her way, of course, but he’s getting more and more difficult to stave off.”

Cass laughed. “Oh,
now
you’re worried. Really? Aren’t you the one who has said all along not to worry?”

Lucy narrowed her eyes on her friend. “You’re not worried?”

Another shrug. “Not really. Not any longer. Did you seat me next to Julian as I asked?”

Lucy nodded. “Of course I did.”

“Excellent. Then let’s eat.” Cass stepped around Lucy and made toward the door.

Lucy put her hand on Cass’s shoulder to stop her. She narrowed her eyes again. “Who are you?”

Cass flashed her a bright smile. “Don’t you recognize me, Lucy? You created me. I’m Patience Bunbury.”

Cass swept into the dining room. The moment she entered the room, all eyes were upon her again. She boldly strode over to Julian’s side to sit at the empty seat next to him. “Captain Swift.” She nodded to him.

He stood until she sat and helped her push in her chair. Excellent. He was certain to get a good view of her décolletage from above. He looked a bit uncomfortable again when he resumed his seat. “Good evening, Miss Bunbury.”

The service began soon after, and Cass kept the conversation moving at a brisk clip, talking about things like the weather, the delicious food, and last evening’s card games. Every now and again, Julian’s eyes dipped to her chest. A little thrill shot through her. She’d never before used her feminine wiles so blatantly, but tonight, tonight she was exceedingly pleased to have them at her disposal. It was going exactly according to her plan. He winced and seemed uncomfortable each time he glanced down.

Once the last course was removed, Cass put the second part of her plan into action. “I hope you’ll skip the drinks with the gentlemen this evening and take me for a stroll around the gardens before it gets too cold.” Now that was
quite
bold, indeed. The art of being bold was becoming easier with practice.

“If you wish, Miss Bunbury,” Julian answered easily. He offered his arm and she put hers through his. He helped her pull up her shawl. He escorted her out of the drawing room, through the corridor, and out of the French doors in the library that led to the terrace.

They silently walked down the stone steps and into the gardens before Julian turned to face her. “I must say I was a bit surprised you asked me to escort you out here tonight.”

She tucked her head down. “Did you not say you enjoyed the outdoors?”

“I did. I do. Very much. But given the way you left the library last night…” He cleared his throat.

“I’m sorry about that,” she replied. “I wasn’t feeling quite well, I’m afraid.”

His face reflected his concern. “I’m pleased to hear that it wasn’t my company that caused you to run off. I do hope you’re feeling better this evening.”

“Oh, I’m feeling
ever
so much better this evening, Captain.”

They strolled a bit farther until they came upon the same stone bench they’d sat upon the last time they’d been in the gardens. Cass released Julian’s arm and took a seat. She patted the space next to her. If he sat there, she’d have him right where she wanted him. She leaned back and braced her hands behind her. Her chest jutted out. Perfect. She let the shawl fall away from her décolletage. Also perfect.

Unfortunately, Julian remained standing. He cleared his throat and stared off into the distance. “It’s not too cold out here for you?”

“No. Not at all.” Actually, it was freezing, especially since her chest was exposed, but she wasn’t about to tell him that. Though no doubt he could tell by the fact that her breasts were decidedly standing at, ahem, attention.

“You … you look qu-quite beautiful tonight.” He tugged at his cravat.

My word. Had she made Julian Swift blush? She couldn’t quite tell in the scant light from the candles but she had a suspicion.

Cass steeled her resolve. Whoever this other lady was, she wasn’t going to win Julian without a fight. A big fight, a fight that involved décolletage. A lot of it.

“Won’t you sit, Captain Swift? It might be a bit warmer if we … sat close to each other.”

Oh, that was scandalous. The first of many scandalous things she intended to say tonight.

He sat, though his body was rigid and he didn’t look at her.

“I do hope Penelope will arrive tomorrow,” he said, his voice a bit unsteady.

“Let’s not talk about Penelope.” Cass pressed her chest against his arm and leaned up, her mouth scant inches from his. He turned slowly. She looked into his eyes. He had to know she wanted him to kiss her. Didn’t he? Didn’t he?

She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned up, up, up … She closed her eyes and let her head fall back a little. She sighed.

Julian pulled her arms from his neck and slid away from her, ensuring a good arm’s length remained between them. “Miss Bunbury?”

Cass opened her eyes and blinked at him. Just like on her sixteenth birthday. She wanted to cry but she refused to. There would be no more crying. Instead she pressed her lips together and tried to look composed. “Yes.”

“I … Frankly, you don’t know how much I want to kiss you right now.”

“Then why don’t you?” Oh, there went Patience Bunbury’s reputation. The harlot.

Julian stood and paced toward the hedgerow, scrubbing his fingers through his hair. “Because at the moment, I still have an understanding with Penelope Monroe.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Why, oh, why did Captain Julian Swift have to be so blasted honorable? That thought was topmost in Cass’s mind as she wandered into the private family breakfast room the next morning, a frown on her face.

“Dear, you must look at this,” Lucy said the moment Cass walked through the door. Lucy was holding a letter in her hand, her bright eyes busily scanning the words.

Jane was already there, eating a muffin. Garrett was nowhere to be seen. Cass slowly made her way over to where Lucy sat with the letter.

“Where’s Garrett?” Cass asked.

“He and Berkeley were up with the sun and went for a ride. And I’m so glad because otherwise, I’d have to explain
this
to him.” Lucy waved the letter again.

“What is it?” Cass couldn’t muster much interest. Her thoughts remained on Julian and her failure to seduce him last night. He’d given the excuse about Penelope but Cass wondered if it didn’t have more to do with the woman he was in love with. Either way, he’d been decidedly uninterested.

Jane wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Why do you look so glum, Cass?”

Cass sighed. “Things did not go according to plan with Julian in the gardens, that’s all.”

Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad for that. When I saw you leave with him wearing that gown, I was quite certain you intended to take advantage of him. I was a bit worried for the captain, to be honest.”

Cass propped an elbow on the table and rested her chin on it. “I didn’t take advantage of him. I merely gave him the chance to take advantage of
me.
”

Jane was doing an awful job at attempting to hide her smile. “And he refused?” She reached into the basket that rested in the center of the table and pulled out another muffin.

“I did my best, truly,” Cass said. “But he reminded me that he’s engaged to Pen. Or supposed to be.”

“The scoundrel. How dare he?” Jane smiled.

“He doesn’t even love her. She doesn’t love him. Why must they continue this farce of an understanding?” Cass sighed.

“Yes, well, as to that, you need to look at this.” Lucy waved the letter again.

Cass halfheartedly pulled the letter from Lucy’s fingers and began to read it. It was from … Pen. Cass sat up straight.

“Oh, no!” She gasped, her hand falling like a leaden weight to the tabletop with a thud.

“Exactly,” Lucy replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

Jane sat up straight. “What does it say?”

Cass scanned the contents, her heart beating out of her chest. She read aloud.

Darlings,

I decided I was being ridiculous hiding from Captain Swift. I need to face him and get it over with. I paid a call to his mother and Daphne. There, I was informed that Captain Swift had recently left for a house party in the country. Why, imagine my surprise when I inquired as to the location of the house party and realized that he was at Lucy’s house, of all places!

All three friends exchanged worried glances.

“Keep reading,” Lucy said in a singsong voice.

“Yes, go on. Go on,” Jane prompted.

I think this is absolutely perfect, darlings. I have some important news to share. I’ll tell you all about it after I arrive. Look for me on Wednesday afternoon. I simply cannot wait to see you both.

Cass gulped. Wednesday afternoon? It was Wednesday morning.

“What do you think her ‘important news’ is?” Jane wanted to know.

“Who cares about that?” Cass nearly shrieked. “Do you know what this means?”

“It means Penelope is on her way here as we speak,” Lucy declared, tapping her finger against her cheek.

Cass tossed the letter onto the tabletop. She searched the room’s ceiling. “What are we going to do?”

“It solves the problem of you producing her for Captain Swift, at least,” Jane pointed out, taking another bite of her muffin.

“But it presents an even greater problem,” Cass moaned. “What shall we do?”

“There’s nothing to do,” Jane replied. “You either have to send Captain Swift on his way or intercept Penelope somehow. Those are the only two choices.”

Lucy snapped her fingers. “No, wait!”

Cass raised her head, a bit hopeful at Lucy’s tone. “What?”

Lucy’s eyes had a telltale gleam in them. She’d thought of something. “This may just be perfect.”

“How could it be perfect?” Jane popped another bit of a muffin into her mouth.

“Do you intend to eat all of those muffins?” Lucy asked her.

“Perhaps,” Jane replied.

“Stop talking about the muffins!” Cass nearly shouted, her anxiety rising with each moment. “What were you going to say, Lucy?”

“Yes, tell us how this could possibly go well,” Jane replied, blinking at Lucy.

Lucy tapped her fingers along the tabletop. “Julian and Penelope would need to be in each other’s company in order to end their agreement, correct?”

“Yes,” Cass replied, narrowing her eyes at her friend.

“And if she comes here, they will be in each other’s company, correct?” Lucy continued.

“Aren’t you forgetting the part where Cass is pretending to be Patience Bunbury and you are calling yourself Lady Worthing? How will you explain that to Penelope?” Jane asked.

“We won’t have to,” Lucy replied.

“What are you talking about?” Cass asked.

Lucy shrugged. “We’ll simply hide.”

“Hide?” Cass rubbed her eyes.

“Hide?” Jane nearly spat out her muffin. “You have truly gone mad now.”

Cass shook her head. “What do you mean, hide?”

“When Pen arrives, we can arrange for her to see Julian. They’ll end things. Pen will then come in search of us and we’ll ensure we’re alone with her. I cannot imagine she will want to stay at a house party with her former betrothed, can you?”

“Why don’t you just tell Pen that Cass is pretending to be Patience Bunbury?” Jane asked, her eyes also narrowed.