The Accidental Countess (Accidental #2)(77)

“Not a chance. Name something else.”

Daphne delicately raised her chin in the air. “No. That’s what I want. Those are my conditions. They are not up for negotiation.”

Julian growled. “There are times when I swear I could throttle you, Daphne.”

Daphne shrugged. “If you throttle me, I won’t be able to tell you where Cass is. But there is absolutely no way I intend to tell you where she is until you agree to my terms.”

Julian glared at her. One thing was obvious. His sister knew how to drive a hard bargain. He’d pit her against the bloody French any day. She should be in Paris negotiating the treaty. “God help me,” he murmured, swearing savagely under his breath.

“Is that a yes?” She blinked at him innocently.

“Yes,” he ground out. And then, “Why do I have the distinct impression that I’m going to sorely regret this one day?”





CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR


Julian pounded on the door to the Monroes’ town house. The wood bounced. The portal sounded as if it might come down. When Shakespierre, the butler, appeared, Julian brushed past the much shorter man. Daphne had told him all about Cass’s plans to leave for the convent. The Sisters of Perpetual Hope made their home far to the north just below the Scottish border. If she’d already left, he’d be forced to chase after her. But there was still the chance that he might be able to catch her before she left. He was counting on it.

“I must speak to Lady Cassandra immediately,” Julian declared. “Is she here?”

“May I take your coat, my lord?” the butler offered.

“No, you may not. I’ll wait here.”

The butler raised a brow but made his way down the corridor, ostensibly to find his mistress. Julian paced the foyer. Had he found her in time? Was she here? If she’d run away, he doubted she’d have informed the butler.

Cassie’s parents weren’t going to like this. Not one bit. But Julian didn’t give a bloody damn. Moments later, Lady Moreland came sweeping out of the back of the house, her face a mask of disapproval and anger. “Captain Swift, Shakespierre tells me you’re here to call upon Cassandra.”

Julian returned her harsh look. “I am.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” she replied with a tight smile.

“Cassandra’s not here?” he asked, his face heating, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. If that was true, he’d leave for the convent immediately.

“I didn’t say that. I said it’s not possible for you to speak with her,” Lady Moreland clarified.

He narrowed his eyes on her. “Why not?”

Lady Moreland pushed her nose in the air and gave him an imperious look that clearly indicated she was not amused with his failure to turn tail and run. “Perhaps if you came back another time.”

She made as if to usher him out the door.

Julian didn’t move. “I intend to stay here until I see Cassandra. If she’s here.”

One blond-gray brow arched. The lady spoke through clenched teeth. “Captain Swift, do not force me to call my husband into this.”

Julian nearly laughed at that. Lord Moreland was in his sixties and quite heavy. Even though Julian was still recuperating from his war injuries, he was quite certain he could easily beat the older man in a fight, and he was more than prepared to do so if either of them tried to keep him from Cassie.

“I’m not forcing you to do anything, my lady. I’m merely stating a fact.” He gave her a tight smile. “I’m not leaving until I either see Cassandra or evidence that she’s not here.”

Any semblance of nicety evaporated from the woman’s face. She turned her head sharply to the right. “Shakespierre, fetch Lord Moreland immediately, and bring two of the footmen back with you.”

Julian took a deep breath. Fine. If this was how she wanted it, this was how she was going to get it. No sixty-year-old lord and two young footmen were going to keep Julian from seeing the woman he loved.

He shot daggers at Lady Moreland with his eyes. “You might want to call the watch and the Bow Street runners while you’re at it, my lady, because I’m not leaving.”

Shakespierre took off into the back of the house again and Lady Moreland narrowed her eyes on Julian. “I cannot believe you’re acting in such a disgraceful manner, Captain Swift, but I suppose I should not be surprised.”

He placed both hands on his hips and faced her. “What is that supposed to mean?”

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked down her nose at him. “You’ve never had quite the quality that your brother does.”

If she’d slapped him, she couldn’t have hit her mark any better. Something told Julian that she knew that, too. But he was done living in his brother’s shadow.

He glared at Lady Moreland. He refused to let her ruffle him. “And you’ve never had quite the pleasant kindness of your daughter, my lady. I have often wondered how you produced such an exquisite creature.”

Lady Moreland gasped. “How dare you!”

Lord Moreland and the two footmen came hurrying into the foyer with Shakespierre just then. Lord Moreland was out of breath from the exertion.

“What is the meaning of this?” Lord Moreland demanded.