The Accidental Countess (Accidental #2)(5)

Cass’s mouth fell open. He didn’t recognize her. And he apparently didn’t remember Pen, either. Pen had been eighteen that last time they’d seen each other. She hadn’t changed much, other than the addition of a bit more girth.

“No,” Cass breathed, shaking her head.

Lucy swiveled on her heel and gave Cass a deadly glare. “Allow me,” she said with a clenched jaw in a voice that clearly told Cass to stop speaking.

Oh, good heavens. Whatever Lucy was up to, it was going to be both messy and complicated. It always was.

Lucy turned back to Julian, a wide smile on her face. “Oh, heavens no, though we are here for the same purpose you are. To see Penelope.”

Cass remained silent and motionless at Lucy’s side, but her mind was shrieking, What is Lucy doing? Why wasn’t she introducing her? It was beyond awkward.

“Please have a seat, Captain Swift.” Lucy gestured to the chair across from them.

Julian reluctantly sat, though his gaze remained on Cass, clearly still wondering about the identity of the other occupant of the room.

“Would you care for some tea, Captain?” Lucy asked next in the most nonchalant voice in the world, as if she wasn’t entertaining a man in someone else’s drawing room with an unnamed lady at her side. Cass wanted to expire from embarrassment, but Lucy kept a perfect hostesslike smile pinned to her face.

“No, thank you. I don’t drink tea,” Julian replied.

Cass glanced at her lap and tugged at the ends of her gloves. Oh, good heavens. He was going to see the teacup on the rug and wonder why it was there. Then, he’d piece the entire idiotic scheme together. Very well, perhaps that was unlikely.

Julian leveled his furrowed brow on Lucy. “Is Miss Monroe—Penelope—here?”

Lucy sighed. “I’m afraid not, Captain Swift. Though my friend and I were just looking for her, too. Seems we stopped by at an inopportune time.”

Cass kept her gaze trained on her lap. Her friend? That’s all Lucy was going to say?

“I don’t understand,” Julian replied. “The butler said—”

Lucy leaned forward and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Just between you and me, Captain Swift, the Monroes’ butler is a few pence shy of a pound these days.” Cass glanced up to see Lucy frown and shake her head as if it was a sad bit of news, to be certain.

“Oh, I see.” Julian nodded as if he completely understood.

Cass bit the inside of her cheek. Lucy was egregious. How long could Cass remain silent?

“I’d sent Penelope a note this morning telling her I was to be here this afternoon. I suppose she didn’t receive it,” Julian continued, obvious disappointment marking his features.

Cass longed to reach out and squeeze his hand, run her fingertips along the strong jut of his jaw. She should say something, blurt out her name. But she was having the best time just watching him, staring at his beloved face, beyond relieved to have the chance to see it again.

Lucy sat forward and poured a bit more tea for herself. “It seems we got our days confused and Miss Monroe has already left,” she informed Julian.

Cass took another deep breath. Obviously, Lucy was going to go along with Pen’s madcap scheme. She was actually going to do it, tell Julian that Pen was at her fictitious friend’s house party. This whole thing was ludicrous.

“Already left?” Julian’s burnished brows snapped together again.

“Yes, and the silly thing is that she is on her way to the same place we are.” Lucy took a small sip of tea.

“Where’s that exactly?” Julian asked.

“Why, Miss Bunbury’s house party, of course,” Lucy replied.

“Miss Bunbury’s house party?” Julian asked.

“Yes. Patience Bunbury is one of Penelope’s dearest friends. Hasn’t she mentioned her to you in her letters?”

“I…” Julian cleared his throat and shifted a bit uncomfortably in his chair. “Miss Monroe rarely writes me letters.”

Lucy’s eyebrows shot up. “Rarely writes you letters? Oh, I must be mistaken as to your identity then, Captain. I was under the impression that you and Penelope are all but engaged.” Lucy turned her face so only Cass could see and gave her a quick wink.

Cass wanted to stamp on Lucy’s foot, but at the moment, all she could do was smile and nod. She wasn’t at liberty to speak since she still hadn’t been introduced. Just the way Lucy preferred it, no doubt.

Julian looked away again and tugged at the collar of his coat. “Yes. We’re supposed to be betrothed … eventually. But I was about to say that she did mention Miss Bunbury to me in the last letter I received.”

Lucy took another tiny sip. “Ah, so you know all about her then.” Lucy sighed dramatically. “At any rate, it seems Penelope has left prematurely for Miss Bunbury’s house party, and in addition to missing us, she’s missed her intended, back from the war. Such a pity.”

“You said you are going there,” Julian replied. “I assume that means you know where this house party is?”

“Oh, yes. We know precisely where it is,” Lucy replied serenely.

“Could I trouble you to give me the direction? It’s imperative that I speak with Penelope as soon as possible.”

Lucy’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Eager to see your future bride, Captain Swift?”