The Accidental Countess (Accidental #2)(9)

“There may be something you can give me for my birthday.”

His brows furrowed. “Indeed?”

It was as if she was no longer in her own body. Instead she was floating somewhere high above it, near the ceiling of the drawing room, staring down at the plucky little freckled blond sixteen-year-old whom she’d never met before. The same little blond sixteen-year-old who walked back over to Lieutenant Swift, stared up into his impossibly handsome face, and said, “You could give me my first kiss.”

If Lieutenant Swift was shocked or horrified by her request, he did not betray himself by word or deed. Instead, he let his hands fall to his sides and blew out a long breath. “You’ve never been kissed before?”

Cass shook her head. “No.”

“No, I don’t suppose you have at your age.”

Cass had promptly closed her eyes and puckered her lips, lifting her chin to meet his mouth.

The touch was feather light. But it was not his lips on hers. It was the back of his fingers against her cheek. He softly rubbed her skin. He was standing so close to her that she could smell the scent of his wool uniform, the barest hint of his soap, the spicy tinge of his cologne. A scent she would cherish and remember for years. Still, she remained in that position, her lips tightly puckered, waiting, waiting, for a kiss that never came.

Instead, the light sweep of his fingers against her cheek turned into a flicker near her ear. He pushed a soft curl behind her lobe. Cass opened her eyes, blinking. She didn’t understand. Wasn’t he going to kiss her?

“Happy birthday, Lady Cassandra.” He leaned forward and the warm brush of his lips against her forehead nearly singed off her eyelashes. She would never wash her forehead again. All right, perhaps that was a bit too much. Was it?

“I look forward to your letters,” he said softly. Then he turned on his heel and strode from the room, the sharp click of boots against the marble floor resounding in Cass’s soul.

Cass had never forgotten that moment. At first his refusal to kiss her on the lips had stung but over the years she’d come to realize that he couldn’t have done anything else. It would have been entirely inappropriate and ungentlemanly of him to kiss the sixteen-year-old cousin of his future wife even if it was a birthday request. And frankly, the kiss on her forehead had been enough to hold Cass over for the last seven years.

Lucy’s voice penetrated Cass’s memories. “Haven’t we always talked about how you wished Captain Swift would come back safely from the war and you would have a chance with him?” Lucy said. “Don’t you see? I’m giving you that chance.”

Cass leaned her head against the back of the settee and groaned. “I wished that but I never expected it. Julian and Pen have been all but engaged since they were children. Their parents decided on the match years ago. They’ve only been waiting for Julian to return to officially announce it. A chance with him is not possible.”

“Not with a thought like that, it’s not,” Lucy continued, completely undaunted. “Besides, we’ve always known Pen isn’t exactly in love with the man. She’s run away from him, after all. Hardly the actions of a besotted future bride.”

“That’s beside the point. It’s just not right for me to … to…” Cass rubbed her hand against a temple. The headache had returned and this time it was wielding a scythe.

“To what? Be in love with him? You can hardly help that, dear.” Lucy smiled and patted Cass’s hand with her free one.

Cass slumped her shoulders and sighed. “Oh, Lucy, you know I would never do anything to hurt Pen, or Julian. I must go to him. I must tell him the truth immediately before this gets any further out of hand. I—”

Lucy set down her cup with a clatter and turned to face Cass. She plunked both hands on her hips. “No one will get hurt. It’s nothing more than a lark. We’ll have the house party at my parents’ country estate. They’ve gone up to Scotland for the autumn. The servants adore me. They’ll play along. I’ll explain everything to them.”

Cass shook her head, pressing her fingertips to her temples. “No. It’s madness. Simply madness.”

“Why? What could go wrong?” The look on Lucy’s face was pure innocence.

Cass’s mouth fell open. “What could…? The fact that you would even ask such a question is evidence of what a lunatic you are. What about your husband?”

Lucy’s grin widened. “Derek is leaving for the Continent soon. He’ll be gone for at least a fortnight. It’s perfect timing. He’ll never know.”

“Fine. What about my parents?” Cass continued.

“We shall tell your parents you’re at Miss Bunbury’s house party. Chaperoned by me, of course.” Lucy’s smile was unrepentant.

Cass tightened her grip on the arms of her chair. Lucy had an answer for absolutely everything. Lucy always had an answer for absolutely everything. The worst part of this entire thing was that somewhere in the back of her mind, Cass was actually beginning to consider it. A lark, Lucy had said. No one will get hurt, Lucy had said. Was that possible? Truly?

Cass concentrated on breathing, breathing and thinking. It was as if the devil was back, sitting on one shoulder whispering, “Do it, Cass. Say yes!” While an angel had made her home on the other, whispering, “I cannot believe you’re even considering this, miss.”