The Irresistible Rogue (Playful Brides #4)(7)

Julian stood and turned toward the window. He braced a shoulder against it and looked out. “Why didn’t you ever tell me, Daphne?”

“I didn’t know if you’d share Papa’s feelings. Or if you’d tell him.”

“Of course I wouldn’t have.”

“By the time I knew for sure, you’d gone off to war, and—”

“And?” Julian prompted.

“I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again,” Daphne finished.

Julian turned to her, his face solemn. “I’m proud of you, Daphne. You’re clever and quick and a credit to this family.”

Daphne’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you, Julian.”

On the settee, Cass was dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief. “I just love this. Daphne’s secretly known Russian all this time. It’s absolutely famous. Go on, dear, tell us how you convinced Captain Cavendish.”

Daphne nodded. “Rafe, that is, Captain Cavendish, had wanted Donald to accompany him down to the docks. To pretend that he was one of the crew members on his ship. He was pretending to be a smuggler, captain of a ship called the True Love.”

“And?” Cass had abandoned her teacup and had moved to the edge of her seat.

“And I informed Captain Cavendish that I spoke Russian.”

“But Donald did, too.” Julian’s brow furrowed.

“That’s what Captain Cavendish said. But I pointed out that if I went, I could pretend to be his cabin boy. God knows I’m small enough. And I would have more reason to be around when the Russians came to the ship. It wouldn’t seem odd for me to be in the captain’s cabin, for instance. Or to accompany him about the docks.”

“Wait,” Cass interjected. “I don’t understand. Why are Russians involved with the French?”

“These particular Russians are mercenaries,” Daphne replied. “They sold their loyalty to the French for money.”

Cass nodded while Julian’s face turned white. “And Donald allowed you to pose as Cavendish’s cabin boy?”

“Yes. Donald agreed that I was the better one to go. He knew I wouldn’t be in any danger with Captain Cavendish. He knew it was just the sort of thing I’d been waiting for my whole life, to help the war cause. Donald was correct. I couldn’t have been more ready or more willing,” Daphne finished with a firm nod.

“So Cavendish agreed?” Julian said.

Daphne nodded slowly. “Eventually. Though Donald also insisted upon one condition.”

Julian rubbed his hand across his forehead. “Do I want to know what that condition was?”

“You must know,” Daphne replied.

Julian winced. “Fine.”

“Donald insisted that we marry before we embarked on the mission. He did not want my reputation in danger in the event that we were caught.”

“And that’s how you came to be married?” Cass asked, biting the tip of one fingernail.

“Yes,” Daphne replied. “Captain Cavendish had a friend in the War Office get a special license and—”

“It was Donald’s idea?” Incredulity filled Julian’s words.

Daphne bit her lip again and winced.

“Yes. He refused to let me go without that condition being met. I begged him to allow me to do this for my country. He agreed as long as Rafe and I promised to get an annulment when we returned. He even spoke to the Prince Regent about it. The prince agreed to grant a special dispensation and…”

“And?” Julian asked.

Daphne glanced away, her face heating. “And Donald made Rafe promise not to—”

“Not to?” Julian prodded.

Daphne stared down at her slippers. She couldn’t face her brother while these words came out of her mouth. “Donald made Rafe promise not to … consummate the marriage.”

Julian gritted his teeth again. “Astute of him. And did Cavendish—” Julian tugged at his cravat and cleared his throat. “Keep his promise?”

Daphne could only nod. Yes, the blasted man had kept his promise, but not from any lack of trying to seduce him on her part.

“Good, or I’d be on my way to find him in the drawing room and beat him to a pulp right now,” Julian replied.

“So bloodthirsty,” Cass murmured from behind the teacup that she’d picked up again. She tsked at her husband.

Julian pressed a finger to his brow as if he had a headache and focused his attention back on Daphne. “I don’t see the problem then. If you’ve both kept your end of the bargain, an annulment shouldn’t be difficult. There are very few legal grounds for one, but if the Prince Regent is involved—”

“It shouldn’t be difficult,” Daphne replied, wringing her hands again.

“Is that why you’ve come for my help? I’ll ask some discreet friends in Parliament about it. Remind the prince. We can get it done quickly, quietly without anyone knowing.”

“It should be that simple,” Daphne said, “except…”

Julian’s forehead wrinkled into a frown. “Except what?”

Daphne sighed. “Except Captain Cavendish just told me that he refuses to grant me the annulment.”