The Unexpected Duchess (Playful Brides #1)(33)
“Yes, of course.” Garrett turned back to face their friend. “Just say the word, Cassandra, and I’ll make it happen.”
“I suppose Mama will be all right with it,” Cass said tentatively, taking a sip from her juice glass.
Lucy covered Cass’s hand with her own. “She will be, dear. Aunt Mary will be there with us so it’s all properly chaperoned. We’ll drink the waters at the Pump Room, take tea, go for a daily stroll along the Upper Crescent. You’ll see. You’ll feel better in no time.”
Cass gave her a weak smile.
“And the best part is,” Lucy added, pressing her lips together tightly, “we’ll be getting away from that odious Duke of Claringdon.”
Jane raised a brow. “And here I thought you’d got over your intense dislike of the duke, Lucy.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Lucy’s gaze fell to the tablecloth. She swallowed. She hadn’t told Cass about the kiss she’d shared with the duke. But the more vexing question was—why hadn’t she told Jane about it? Or Garrett? They all told one another everything. But something inside her, some inner hidden part, was embarrassed, shy even. And it was a singularly unpleasant and new experience. She’d never been shy a day in her life, and she certainly shouldn’t be shy about anything involving that blowhard the Duke of Claringdon. So why hadn’t she told them?
Very well. She would. Just as soon as they made it to Bath and safely away from that man. She would tell Jane and Garrett and they would all think of some way to dissuade him once and for all. Perhaps the time away in Bath would cool his ardor … for Cass. Surely, he would be leaving London soon for the lands and properties he’d been given as a part of his dukedom. Wouldn’t he?
Cass bit her lip. “I know I should be flattered by the duke’s attention but I just cannot be.”
“Of course you don’t have to be, dear.” Lucy patted her hand. “If you don’t like him, you don’t like him.” And if you don’t like him, why did you kiss him?
Cass nudged her biscuit again. “It’s not that I don’t like him, it’s just…”
They all knew what she wanted to say. He wasn’t Julian. It always came back to that.
“Oh, Lucy. You said he mentioned last night at the party that he intended to pay me another call today, didn’t you?” Cass asked.
Lucy swallowed. “Yes, that’s right.” Though she hadn’t mentioned any of the rest of her conversation—among other things—with the duke.
“Promise me you’ll stay with me today. When he comes to visit, I’ll need you.”
“Of course I promise, dear.” She didn’t relish the thought of being in the same room with him, but she couldn’t leave Cass to fend for herself with the blackguard.
“And I promise to leave immediately and secure our travel plans to Bath.” Garrett stood and made a sweeping bow in the general direction of all the ladies.
Lucy smiled brightly. “We’re going to Bath!”
CHAPTER TWENTY
“We’re going to Bath,” Lucy announced with another bright smile on her face two hours later. This time she was speaking to the Duke of Claringdon, who sat in a chair across from Cass in the Monroes’ drawing room.
He appeared to be avoiding all eye contact with Lucy, which only served to make her more relentlessly cheerful. Without bothering to look at her, he said, “Bath, eh?” He sat back in his chair and crossed his booted feet at the ankles.
“Yes, Bath.” Lucy punctuated it this time with a resolute nod of her head. She’d assumed she’d find it a bit difficult to look at him, too, after the kiss they’d shared. But she was actually enjoying delivering this particular bit of news. And the more he refused to give her the satisfaction of looking at her, the farther she leaned forward in her seat and glared at him.
“Just decided to take a trip?” he pressed, tugging on his snowy white cuff as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
Lucy braced both hands on her knees and eyed him. She’d foiled him and he didn’t appear to like it one bit. And of course he couldn’t just allow them to share the news and wish them well; he had to pry for details. She wrinkled her nose. If he had an ounce of chivalry, he’d already realize that part of the reason they were fleeing west was to evade his unwelcome presence. He must suspect that. Ugh. No doubt that was why he was asking.
“Papa thinks the waters will be good for me,” Cass added, offering a delicate teacup to the duke. Of course, she hadn’t mentioned how her Mama had railed against the idea, convinced that any journey that took Cass away from the duke’s company was quite a bad idea indeed. But Cass’s papa had intervened and insisted she go. He knew how upset Cass had been at the news of Julian, and he thought the change of scenery would do her good. Thank goodness for Cass’s papa.
The duke leaned forward to accept the teacup that Cass offered. Lucy watched their interchange with the hint of a smile playing around her lips. The man didn’t drink tea and never would. She’d noticed that about him on the first day he’d visited, but Cass never seemed to pick up on this bit of information pertaining to their esteemed guest. She insisted upon presenting him with the drink as if he’d somehow change his mind (and personality) suddenly. Lucy lifted her own cup to her lips. Why, Cass would do better to offer him a brandy. He’d be more likely to drink it. Lucy hid her smile behind her own teacup.