The Accidental Countess (Accidental #2)(76)

He shoved the letter into his inside jacket pocket, stood from the sofa and rang for Pengree. The butler soon appeared once more.

“Pengree, have the coach put to and brought round immediately.”

The butler nodded. “Certainly. Where will you be going, my lord?”

Julian turned to face the servant. “To Lady Cassandra Monroe’s house.”

Daphne stepped into the room, her arms crossed over her chest, a knowing look on her face. “You’re too late.”





CHAPTER FORTY-THREE


Julian stopped short. “What do you mean?

“She’s probably already gone,” Daphne replied.

Julian stared at his sister and blinked. “Cassie’s not there?”

Daphne shook her head. “She was planning to leave today.”

Julian clenched his jaw. A mixture of anger and fear congealed in his chest. “Where is she going?”

Daphne strode past him into the study. “I suggest you shut the door.”

Pengree, a wide-eyed look on his face, quickly took himself off to summon the coach.

Julian pulled the door closed and turned to face his sister. “How do you know Cassandra is leaving?”

Daphne took a seat on the sofa and watched her brother closely. Her arms remained crossed over her chest. “I know because I helped plan her escape.”

“Escape?” He took two long strides toward her and settled his hands on his hips. “What the hell are you talking about? I swear, if this is another one of your tricks like the other day in the park—”

Daphne rolled her eyes at him. “If this is another one of my tricks like the park then you’ll end up in the company of one Lady Cassandra Monroe. And unless I misunderstand, that’s exactly what you want this time, is it not?”

He couldn’t argue with that logic. “Don’t toy with me, Daphne,” he warned, narrowing his eyes on her. “What’s going on?”

Daphne flourished a hand in the air. “Cass wrote to me. She asked me to come over and help her. Jane Lowndes was there, too. You know, that Jane is quite intelligent. She had some wonderful ideas. Cass, I’m afraid, would make a terrible spy. A bit too high-strung for it.”

Julian fought the urge to grind his teeth. “Daphne, you’re making no sense. What are you saying? Where is Cassie? Why would she need to be a spy?”

Daphne laughed. “She wouldn’t, silly. I only meant that she’s not very adept at duplicity.”

Julian snorted. “You didn’t see her pretending to be Patience Bunbury.”

“It can’t have been easy for her,” Daphne replied with a wan smile.

“Where is she, Daphne?” he said, groaning.

Daphne had the grace to look a bit contrite. “I cannot tell you that as I am sworn to secrecy.”

Now he wanted to throttle her. “Fine, then, if you’re sworn to secrecy, why did you bother telling me she wasn’t at home?”

“She may not be at home. It depends entirely upon whether she’s left yet. And I told you because I didn’t want to see you waste your time, or a trip.”

“And…?”

“And nothing. I owe Cass a debt.”

“I won’t bother to ask what that means.”

“Probably for the best,” Daphne replied.

Julian stood in front of his sister, towering over her. He had to get whatever information he could out of her, anything that might help him to find Cassie. “You said you helped her plan her escape. Am I to assume she’s run away?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes.”

He scrubbed his fingers through his hair. “I don’t have time for this. Tell me where she is.”

Daphne eyed him carefully. “Why do you want to know? The last I’d heard, you were angry with her. She said you refused her friendship in the park. What’s changed?”

Cursing under his breath, Julian pulled Cassandra’s letter from his pocket and waved it in the air. “If you must know, this is what’s changed. Cass wrote me a letter months ago telling me she loves me.”

Daphne’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, my,” she breathed. “I’d always suspected but that is … unexpected.”

Julian shook the letter. “Now will you tell me where she is?”

Daphne stood, crossed her arms over her chest again, and paced across the carpet, obviously deep in thought. “Hmm. I have always wanted to see the two of you together but I promised Cass I’d keep her secret.”

“Damn it, Daphne. I must see her. I must speak with her. Immediately.”

Daphne turned quickly to face him. “If I tell you, you must agree to two conditions.”

He blew out a deep breath. “Name them.”

“First, you must agree not to hurt her again. I won’t send you after her knowing you will upset her. She’s been through enough.”

“I won’t hurt her. I promise,” he ground out. “What’s the second condition?”

“I want a favor.”

He blinked at her. “What favor?”

“Ah, ah, ah. That is the complicated bit. I do not yet know what favor I want. Specifically, I want you to owe me a favor. One day, when I do something I ought not, you are going to be completely on my side, no questions asked. Agreed?”