The Accidental Countess (Accidental #2)(64)

The two siblings exchanged glances. They both knew how dire the news might be, how serious it was. Julian nodded. Whatever else her faults, Daphne knew how to keep a secret. She also knew exactly how to get what she wanted. Two extraordinary traits, Julian had to concede. He often wondered at the type of man who would be able to get his fiery little sister to settle down to a marriage and children. Best of luck to the poor sop.

“Now, stop being so grouchy and let’s enjoy the ball this evening,” Daphne added.

“I am not grouchy,” Julian insisted.

“Yes you are,” Daphne retorted, sticking her cute little button nose up in the air. “You’ve been grouchy ever since you came back from the Continent.”

“Yes, well, nearly dying will do that to a man.”

Daphne pursed her lips. “No you don’t. You don’t fool me. I know you’re grouchy for a reason that has absolutely nothing to do with what happened to you over there.”

Julian gave her what he hoped was a bored expression. “What reason is that?”

“It’s because you broke things off with Penelope Monroe,” Daphne announced. “Though I cannot say I blame you. She’s always been perfectly nice to me, of course, but I just never…” She squinted as if trying to think of the correct word to use. “I just never quite envisioned the two of you together. It didn’t seem quite right, you know?”

“No, I don’t know.”

“Yes you do. You’re just being grouchy again.”

“I assure you, my mood has nothing to do with the end of my agreement with Penelope.”

“Frankly, I’m quite pleased. Mama was forced to give me five pounds over it.” Daphne laughed her sparkling laugh, the one that Julian had already noticed made other men’s heads turn when they were out.

“Don’t laugh that way. I’ll have enough trouble keeping gentlemen away from you tonight.”

“Oh, please.” Daphne rolled her eyes once more.

Julian pulled on his gloves. “I know I’m going to regret asking this, but why did Mother give you five pounds?”

“Because I won the bet, silly.”

He arched a brow. “Bet?”

“I bet Mama that when you came home you would end things with Penelope immediately. Mama said you’d be planning a spring wedding.”

His brow remained arched. “Mother had that much faith in me, did she?”

“It’s not that she wanted you to marry Penelope. I don’t think she did, really. Though she hasn’t said. It’s just that she was convinced you would do it.”

“I see. And you didn’t believe I’d remain so steadfast?”

Daphne shook her head. Her blond curls bobbed against her cheeks. “Absolutely not.”

“What made you so certain?”

“Because I’ve been around to see her cousin Cassandra grow up, dear brother.” She gave him a sidewise catlike smile. “You’ve seen Cassandra since you’ve been back, have you not?”

“Yes. I’ve seen her,” he growled.

“Perhaps at the house party?”

Julian’s gaze snapped to his sister’s face. “How did you—”

“You mentioned Lady Worthing’s eyes, which led me to believe that Lady Worthing is in fact the Duchess of Claringdon, which then led me to believe that Miss Bunbury might well have been Lady Cassandra. Am I right?”

Julian clenched his jaw. “It seems the entire house party was an elaborate ruse to fool me.”

“I knew it! I begged Penelope to take me with her when she stopped by to visit before she left for Surrey.”

“You knew about this mad ploy and you didn’t think it absurd?”

“Oh, it’s absurd to be sure. Though I think you’d have to know the Duchess of Claringdon to truly understand. She’s a bit … unpredictable.”

“And you didn’t see fit to mention to Penelope that her cousin and friend were playacting in the country?”

Daphne plunked her hands on her hips. “And spoil the fun? I wouldn’t think of it.”

“You’re mad, too,” Julian declared, shaking his head.

“My point is that you have, in fact, seen Lady Cassandra.”

“Yes.”

“So I needn’t explain my reasoning for why I bet Mother that you’d break things off with Penelope.” Daphne smiled at him sweetly. “And I thank Lady Cassandra kindly for my five pounds.”

Julian shook his head. Yes, Daphne was no longer a cute little girl with a penchant for asking too many questions. She’d grown up to be an astute young woman who was much more thoughtful than she first appeared. Thankfully, Julian was spared more inquiry from his talkative sister when their coach pulled to a stop in front of the Hillboroughs’ town house. Julian alighted first and then turned to help Daphne from the coach.

As soon as Daphne’s slippered feet touched the ground, the siblings turned toward the front door.

Directly into the path of … Lady Moreland, Garrett Upton, and Cassandra Monroe.

Julian gritted his teeth. He glanced away but not before he caught a glimpse of her. Cassandra looked like a dream in a violet-colored gown, diamonds sparkling at her throat.

“Now this is going to be an interesting evening,” Daphne said, with a wide grin on her impish little face. “An interesting evening, indeed.”