The Accidental Countess (Accidental #2)(22)

Lucy tossed the pink gown onto the bed and tapped her finger against her chin. “I know we promised to help you next, Janie, but an opportunity we just could not resist presented itself a few days ago.”

Jane arched a brow. “Opportunity?”

“Yes.” Lucy nodded.

“Presented itself?” Jane asked next.

“Yes.” Lucy dove back into the wardrobe and pulled out a robin’s-egg-blue gown this time. “This one?”

Cass wrinkled her nose. “Too bright.”

“Stop putting me off and tell me the details,” Jane demanded.

Cass sat serenely on the edge of the bed, while Lucy proceeded to tell Jane all about Patience Bunbury and Penelope’s defection.

Jane’s big brown eyes grew wider and wider as she listened. She pushed up her spectacles again. “So, let me see if I have the right of it. You’re telling me that you’ve staged this entire house party as a means to get Julian to fall in love with Cass?”

Lucy nodded. “Yes.”

“Only he doesn’t know she’s Cass?” Jane continued.

“Right,” Lucy said. “Though that will be easily clarified later.”

Jane blinked at Lucy. “How exactly do you see that being successful?”

“Details, Jane, details. We’ll worry about that particular bit when the time comes.”

Jane turned her dark gaze to Cass. “And you’ve approved of all this? I must say, I find it difficult to believe.”

Cass pressed her hands to her cheeks, knowing she was turning an unfortunate shade of pink. “I know. I know. I’ve no idea what’s come over me. All I know is that I do so want to spend time with Julian.” She sighed.

“Oh, Cass, I can’t blame you. But don’t you think this will end poorly?” Jane asked.

Lucy tsked. “You should have seen how Julian looked at her when he met her at Penelope’s house.”

“The man just came back from war. No doubt he’d look at anything wearing a skirt in such a fashion. No insult intended, Cass,” Jane replied.

“None taken.” Cass scooted off the bed and took Lucy’s place staring into the wardrobe. Soon, she was rummaging into the wardrobe herself to see if anything else caught her fancy.

“Oh, no. It wasn’t that. He didn’t look twice at me,” Lucy continued. “He was entirely smitten with our Cass, as I always knew he would be.”

Jane’s dark brow arched yet again. “Then why didn’t you just tell him that she was Cass?”

“Time was of the essence. He was dead set on chasing Penelope off to her house party immediately. He is obviously looking for her. He needs time alone with Cass. We must give it to them.”

Jane stood and strode over to put her hand on Cass’s sleeve. “You know I’d do anything for you and this is no exception. I’ll play along and do whatever I can to help. I just hope you don’t end up getting hurt. Or hurting anyone.”

Cass smiled at her friend, but unexpected tears stung the back of her eyes. “Thank you, Jane. I’m resigned to the fact that Julian will marry Pen. But I just want to spend time with him for a bit.”

Jane patted her hand and gave her a sympathetic smile. “Don’t worry, my dear, if you want a few days with Julian, you shall have them.”

Cass returned her smile with a weaker one. “Thank you, Janie.”

“Jane, what did you tell your mother about coming here?” Lucy asked, nudging Cass aside and pulling out a soft yellow gown.

Cass scrunched up her nose and shook her head at the yellow.

Jane laughed. “Both of my parents are perfectly happy at present thinking I’m off at the Duchess of Claringdon’s house party with all her eligible, titled gentleman friends. Mother sent one of the housemaids with me, but you’re my chaperone officially, now, Lucy. And you’ve given me an excellent idea with this Patience Bunbury business, Cass. A nonexistent chaperone. I love it. I intend to implement it the moment I return. I am a fully converted Bunburyist. I merely need to think of a reason why Mother cannot meet her.”

Cass and Lucy both smiled at their friend. Jane was an unrepentant bluestocking. She just happened to be the only child of a genius father who had made such sound investments for the Crown that he’d been knighted. Her mother, however, wishing her daughter was more like her and less like her cerebral pater, was beside herself in her attempts to get Janie married off. Jane had no intention of doing anything of the sort. No doubt her mother had been overcome with glee when Jane had announced that she actually wanted to go to a ton house party.

Jane returned to her seat and smoothed her hands over her skirts. “By the by, what is Upton’s part in this scheme?”

Cass and Lucy exchanged an uncomfortable look. “We haven’t told Garrett,” Lucy admitted.

Jane poked out her cheek with her tongue. “Whyever not? He’s usually up for a good ruse.”

Lucy pulled a peach-colored gown from the wardrobe and presented it to Cass for her consideration. “He’s too good. He’ll want to tell the truth.”

Jane laughed. “Upton?” She rolled her eyes. “Whatever do you mean? The man is a profligate rake and an accomplished gambler, hardly someone who would be mistaken for a man of the cloth. Besides, I imagine that in order to be an adequate rake and gambler, one must have to tell a few fibs now and again.”