The Unexpected Duchess (Playful Brides #1)(25)

He sliced open the letter with the opener and ripped out the sheaves. Collin had only been gone a few days but he’d already sent a letter. Derek could only hope it contained good news.

Your Grace,

I hope this letter finds you well. I’ve got quite a good lead on the last known location of our group. It’s a small town in France. I’ll be traveling there over the next few days and hope to send good news once I find them. I visited Swift in Brussels. He’s not good, Derek. Not at all. He asked if you’ve become betrothed to Lady Cassandra yet. I told him you are in the process of doing just that. I didn’t tell him that Swifdon, Rafe, and Adam are missing. No use upsetting the man on his deathbed. Look for another letter soon.

Yours,

Collin

Derek crumpled the letter in his fist. He’d written Wellington and once again nearly begged the man to allow him to leave and help search for the others. The result had been the same as before. A decidedly pleasant yet solid no. Derek was needed here, should find a wife, settle down. Wasn’t Lady Cassandra Monroe a fine choice?

He’d nearly groaned in frustration, but orders were orders. Every military man knew that. All Derek could do was sit here and wait for Collin’s news. His brother would keep him informed. He could count on him.





CHAPTER SIXTEEN


Despite the impropriety, Lucy hurried straight into Cass’s bedchamber the next morning. Lucy hadn’t even stopped to remove her gloves or her bonnet, just made her way directly up the staircase and into her friend’s room. She flew over to the bed and stroked Cass’s hair. “What is it, dear? What’s happened?”

Cass was lying prostrate on the bed, one arm flung over her eyes, tears streaming down the sides of her face, sobbing as if her heart were broken.

Lucy had no clue what was wrong. She’d only received a note from Cass’s mother an hour ago saying she must come immediately, that Cass was inconsolable.

Lucy sat next to her friend and rubbed Cass’s arms. “The duke, he didn’t say anything or do anything—?”

Cass turned toward her and blinked at her. Her pretty blue eyes were bloodshot and overflowing with tears. She blew intermittently into a handkerchief that was wadded up in her fist. She shook her head. “No, no. It’s nothing to do with the duke.”

Lucy expelled her breath. She should have known better. The duke wouldn’t be the one to make Cass cry like this. It made no sense. Lucy had been too preoccupied with the duke lately to remember the usual source of Cass’s distress.

She put a hand on Cass’s shoulder and searched her face. “It’s not … Oh, heavens, Cass.” Lucy’s breath caught in her throat. Pure terror streaked through her chest. “It’s Julian, isn’t it?”

Cass’s sad little nod and accompanying sob confirmed what Lucy already knew. It was Julian.

“Is he…?” Lucy swallowed the painful lump in her throat. She couldn’t force the word dead past her lips.

Cass shook her head rapidly this time. “No. He’s alive. For now. But he’s—” She sobbed again and pressed the handkerchief to her eyes. “Oh, Lucy, he’s dying.”

“No,” Lucy whispered.

Cass nodded, the handkerchief now pressed to her nose. “I received a letter from cousin Penelope today. Julian is in a makeshift Belgian hospital. He was gravely wounded in battle.”

Lucy closed her eyes, desperately searching for the words that would serve to comfort her friend. The news wasn’t quite as dire as she’d expected. Julian was still alive. That was something, but the fact that he was about to die was barely better. “Oh, Cass. I’m so sorry.”

Cass hung her head. “I just cannot stand to think about him dying all alone.”

Tears filled Lucy’s eyes. “He’s not alone. He’s got doctors and I’m certain there are women there, tending to him as if he were their own.”

“But he doesn’t have anyone who loves him,” Cass sobbed.

Lucy swallowed back her own tears. Crying would not help Cass a bit and might just make her more sad. No, Lucy had to be strong. “What about Penelope? Did she say she might try to get there before … the end?”

Cass shook her head rapidly. “No. Nothing like that. I do not think she means to go.”

“What exactly did she say?’

Cass looked a bit embarrassed. “She said, ‘Whom shall I marry now? I’ve been waiting for Julian for years. I’m on the shelf.’”

Lucy furrowed her brow. Now, that was poor form indeed. Though it was in keeping with what she knew of Penelope. Cass’s cousin did seem the sort who would be more interested in her own marital prospects or lack thereof than the death of her poor betrothed.

“Oh, Lucy, Julian is so brave and wonderful. He didn’t deserve this. And I … I never had a chance to tell him…” Her voice trailed off into a series of tiny sobs. Lucy put her arm around her.

“Cass.” Lucy squeezed her friend’s shoulder. “You must try. He may still be alive. Write to Julian immediately. Tell him how you feel about him. How much you love him. Let him go to his grave knowing how much he means to you.”

Cass dabbed at her dripping eyes. “I want to, Lucy. Heavens knows I do. I cannot tell you how much. But I…” She sucked in her breath and shook her head again. “I don’t know.”