The Unexpected Duchess (Playful Brides #1)(12)

Over two hours later, when the Duke of Claringdon was finally announced in the Miltons’ ballroom, all three friends turned to stare.

Cass winced and tugged at her gloves.

“Not to worry,” Lucy replied.

“He’s certain to leave you alone after the incident in the hedgerow,” Jane offered. “Don’t you think?”

“Not after what he said to Lucy in the corridor,” Cass replied.

“What did he say to Lucy in the corridor?” Jane wanted to know, but they were unable to share the story with her before the duke found his way unerringly to their little group.

“Lady Cassandra,” he said in his smooth, deep voice, bowing over the hand she offered. “A pleasure. Would you care to dance?”

Lucy opened her mouth to issue a scathing denial just as Cass’s mother swept up to them. “Your Grace, so good to see you this evening.” Lady Moreland curtsied.

The duke bowed to the matron. “I assure you, the pleasure is entirely mine. I was just asking Lady Cassandra if she would care to dance.” He gave Lucy a smug look over Lady Moreland’s blond curls.

“Why, of course she would,” Lady Moreland answered, nudging Cass toward the duke.

Cass gave Lucy a fleeting glance before settling her hand on the duke’s arm and allowing him to escort her to the floor.

Her work done, Lady Moreland flitted away into the crowd, while Lucy and Jane watched the dancing from the sidelines. This time, Lucy tapped her slipper a bit angrily to the music. “I so wish I could be Cass’s voice,” Lucy grumbled.

“It didn’t seem to have an effect last time,” Jane remarked.

Lucy crossed her arms over her chest, letting out a huff of air. “Cass gave me away by refusing to repeat what I said. She finds it so difficult to be the least bit curt with anyone. But the duke is a man who doesn’t understand anything but bluntness.”

“A pity he’s not attempting to woo you,” Jane replied, raising her brows.

“If only I could speak for her, though.”

Jane pursed her lips. “Lucy? What are you thinking?”

Lucy tapped her fingertip to her cheek. “You know … it just might work.”

“How would you ever manage it?” Jane asked.

Lucy smiled widely and pointed a finger straight up in the air. “I’ll find a way. Don’t I always say, ‘Be bold’?”

Jane was just about to reply when Garrett strolled up to them, his hands pushed into his pockets. “I’d say you’re not doing so well on the Cassandra-and-the-duke front if the two of them are dancing.” He nodded toward the couple.

Lucy slapped at his sleeve. “Shh. I’m trying to hear what they’re saying when they dance by.”

Garrett laughed at that. “Why don’t you dance with me and we’ll go listen?”

“I’ll dance with you,” Jane piped up.

Lucy and Garrett exchanged expressions of complete surprise.

“What?” Jane asked with a shrug. “Mother took my book. I’m rather bored. Just don’t step on my feet, Upton.”

“Such a compelling offer,” Garrett said with a snort. “But by all means, Miss Lowndes, let’s dance.”

The two spun onto the floor while Lucy waited on the sidelines trying to get a glimpse of all four of them and tapping her foot in time to the music as usual. Typical. The first good offer she’d got to dance in an age and it had been from her cousin. And that hadn’t even materialized.

Several moments later, the music stopped and Garrett and Jane returned to where Lucy stood.

“We couldn’t hear much,” Garrett reported.

“Yes, a pity,” Jane said, pulling up her gloves. “I have a brilliant idea, however.”

“What?” Lucy asked hopefully.

Jane leaned forward as if she were about to impart a huge secret. “Why don’t we ask Cass what he said to her?”

They all turned to face Cass, who had just returned from the dance floor herself. She stared at the floor and shuffled her slippers beneath her gown.

“What is it, Cass?” Lucy asked. “What did he say?”

“He asked if I would go out onto the terrace with him and have a refreshment,” Cass replied.

The Miltons had set up their refreshment table outside under the stars, and a steady stream of partygoers came in and out of the open French doors that led to the terrace.

“And you said yes?” Lucy gave her friend a disapproving stare.

Cass nodded guiltily. “I didn’t want to be rude. Besides, Mother was glaring at me. She makes me so nervous.”

Lucy tossed a hand in the air. “Cassandra Monroe. I don’t understand you at all. You’ve turned down more suitors than I can shake a stick at yet this one seems to be too much for you.”

Cass covered her face with her hands. “I know. I know. But I’ve always turned down everyone quite politely. The duke doesn’t seem to accept that.”

Lucy nodded. “He refuses to take no for an answer. He may be a duke but he’s no gentleman.”

“You cannot blame the chap for trying,” Garrett added with a smile in Cass’s direction, one that made her turn a lovely shade of pink.

“Don’t worry, Lucy. You’ve done quite enough to help me already. I won’t ask you to come with me this time,” Cass said. “I shall do my best on my own.”