The Accidental Countess (Accidental #2)(49)

“I want to know one thing,” Julian said, eyeing them both with a look that was a mixture of confusion and suspicion. Cass’s heart dropped. Here it was. Julian might well hate her in just a few short moments.

Lucy swallowed audibly. “Yes, Captain Swift?” She bowed her head.

Julian nodded toward Cass. He crossed his arms over his chest and tapped his booted foot on the rug. “Why is Penelope Monroe claiming to be you?”

*

Cass had to sit. That was all there was to it. Never in her wildest imaginings of how this conversation would go did she think it would happen this way. She blindly searched for the arm of the chair behind her and dropped into place, the breath whooshing from her body as she landed.

Lucy recovered much more quickly. “Whatever do you mean, Captain Swift?”

Julian’s brows were arched. “I mean, I met with Penelope not an hour ago in this very room and she told me her name was Patience Bunbury.”

Lucy blinked at him, her mind obviously whirring with ideas. She placed a hand to her throat. “She did?”

“Yes, she did.” Julian tapped his boot again.

Lucy cleared her throat and inclined her head. “And did you ask her why she did that?”

Julian stopped the tapping. “No. In fact, I was so shocked I pretended I didn’t know who she was. But why would she say such a thing?”

Lucy’s voice was high and thin. “I’m not sure, Captain Swift. Are you quite certain the lady in question was, in fact, Penelope?”

“I’m quite certain she was not Patience as I’ve already met Patience.” He motioned toward Cass again. “And she looked very much like my memory of Penelope Monroe. A bit older, to be sure, but she hasn’t changed much.”

Cass fought her nod. No, Pen hadn’t changed much. But Cass was stricken dumb. She couldn’t talk, could only listen as Lucy rapidly answered Julian’s questions and asked him her own. How had this happened? It was madness.

Lucy straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I have yet to see Miss Monroe today, Captain Swift.” Cass winced at the new lie. “But I assure you, I intend to go in search of her immediately and get to the bottom of this.”

Lucy swept up her skirts and headed for the door, obviously in a rush to leave before she had to come up with an even more elaborate story.

“Miss Bunbury, will you please keep Captain Swift company while I find Miss Monroe?”

Cass opened her mouth to protest but shut it again when she saw the look on Julian’s face. As if he … wanted her to stay. “Of course,” she murmured lamely.

Moments later, the door shut behind Lucy, and Cass screwed up her courage. Now was the time. Finally. She could not allow this farce to continue a moment longer. Julian would only hate her all the more for it later. Not to mention the fact that only the truth would serve to explain all of this once Pen appeared.

“Captain Swift, I—”

“I’m glad Lady Worthing left us alone,” Julian said, crossing over to the settee and sitting next to Cass.

Cass blinked. “You are?”

“Yes. Quite.” He smiled at her. “I’m not certain what Penelope is up to, but her lying to me like that has just served to reinforce my decision to end things with her. She’s not the same girl I knew in my youth.”

Cass nearly whimpered. She glanced away. “I suppose she’ll have a good explanation.”

“What possible explanation could she have for impersonating another woman? It makes no sense. It’s positively mad.”

That was it. The tiny bit of courage Cass had screwed up drained from her soul in that instant. She couldn’t tell him. Not now. Oh, she was a horrible coward.

“You didn’t…” Her voice wavered. “You didn’t have a chance to break things off with her?”

His laugh was scornful. “How could I when she was telling me she was someone else entirely? It was laughable.” He narrowed his eyes. He turned to face Cass. “You don’t suppose she discovered my intentions? That she lied to me to keep me from saying what I meant to?”

Cass went hot and cold. Oh, God. He was questioning whether she’d kept his secret. “She didn’t hear it from me, Captain.” She hung her head. There at least was one truth in the midst of all the lies.

He paced across the rug, his arms folded behind his back. “No. No, of course she didn’t. And even if she suspected, it is still mad to pretend you’re someone else in order to keep from hearing bad news.”

Cass could only nod. The lump of guilt and regret in her throat was choking her. She couldn’t utter a word.

“As soon as Penelope returns I intend to confront her. She took me by surprise before. I didn’t know what to say. I thought perhaps Lady Worthing might know why she was acting so strangely.”

Another nod from Cass. “That is probably best.”

“I will tell her that our engagement is off. And then…”

Cass glanced up. “And then?” She swallowed hard. “France?”

“Well, yes … But first, first I intend to find you, Miss Bunbury, and kiss you senseless.”





CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX


The plan was put into motion quickly as most of Lucy’s plans were. Julian was asked to remain in the blue drawing room. Pen was informed that her intended had recognized her after all and would like to speak with her again. She was a bit disappointed, but she readily agreed to meet with him once more. She took off to the blue drawing room, escorted by one of the housemaids.