The Unexpected Duchess (Playful Brides #1)(58)

“And you’re loyal to her?”

Lucy swallowed. “Forever.”

Derek nodded. “I see. That’s why you’ve stood up for her so vehemently when I began coming around?”

Lucy straightened up and traced the edge of the blanket with her fingertip. “Yes. That’s why. I love Cass. As I said, I would do anything for her.”

He drew his wrist away from his knee. “What about your other friend? Jane, is it?”

Lucy smiled brightly. “Ah, Janie joined our merry band a bit later. She was a societal outcast like me, so we became friends at our debut ball.”

Derek raised both brows. “An outcast?”

Lucy sighed. “Yes. It’s a little-known fact, but I was escorted out of the queen’s chambers when I made my bow.”

Derek’s eyebrows shot up. “You were?”

“Indeed. I didn’t take kindly to the simpering and fawning. I ripped the feathers out of my insanely elaborate coiffure and tossed them on the floor at the queen’s feet.”

“You did not.” His wide smile belied the surprised look on his face.

“Yes. I did. Mama said she refused to have anything more to do with my come-out after that. She went back to the country and left me with Aunt Mary.”

“And was Jane escorted from the queen’s chambers as well?”

“No. No. Jane did as she was told. Though she later informed me that she thought I’d been brilliant. She’s simply much more interested in studying and learning than becoming someone’s wife.”

“And Lady Cassandra, she accepted both of you the way you are?”

Lucy tossed another bit of cheese into her mouth and nodded. “Unconditionally, that’s why we’re both devoted to her. Cass could be friends with absolutely anyone. Her connections and manners are impeccable. Everyone adores her. But she chooses to spend her time with the two of us and we love her for that.”

“I can understand that,” Derek replied. “Loyalty cannot be overvalued.”

Lucy glanced away, staring at the rolling hills beyond the town. “That’s why you’re so set on courting Cass? Because you promised Julian and you’re loyal to him?”

He nodded. “Yes. Swift was extremely agitated to think she wouldn’t be taken care of. He knew she hadn’t yet accepted a suitor.”

Lucy expelled her breath. “And Julian never guessed why?”

Derek shrugged. “If he did, he didn’t mention it to me. Though Julian is an honorable man. If he’s pledged to another, he will make good on that pledge regardless of his feelings for Cassandra.”

Lucy nodded. “I suppose that’s to be commended, but I think it’s awfully sad.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because what if Julian loves Cass, too? What if they are meant to be together? I’ve met Cass’s cousin Penelope. The girl doesn’t have a brain in her head. She’s much more interested in fripperies and fashion than Julian. She’s more concerned with gathering her trousseau than worrying whom she’ll actually be spending the rest of her life with. When she wrote Cass to tell her that Julian was dying, she was devastated, not by news of his impending death, but by the prospect of having to find a new bridegroom.”

Derek nodded grimly. “That may be so, but Swift’s made his decision.”

Lucy crossed her arms over her chest. “And so that’s it, decisions cannot be changed?”

“No.”

The answer surprised her, but the vehemence in his voice surprised her more. The man put a great deal of stake on never changing one’s mind, obviously.

Lucy shrugged. “Well, I, for one, hope Julian lives, returns to England, and marries Cass.”

Derek smiled at that. “Why, Lucy, do I detect a bit of a romantic in you?”

She popped a grape into her mouth and smiled. “I cannot help it. I detest stupidity. And it just seems stupid to become engaged to someone whom you don’t love or care about merely because your parents believed it would be a good match when you were young.”

He pointed a finger in the air. “Ah, but that is how the ton works, does it not?”

“Yes. It does. But it ought not. I understand that not all marriages are based on love. But they ought to be based on more than just an old promise and handshake. Especially if Julian and Cass might be truly happy together.”

Derek leaned back, bracing both elbows on the blanket. “To your knowledge has Julian ever indicated that he has feelings for Cassandra?”

Lucy studied the blanket. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Then perhaps you’re assuming too much.”

She plucked at the grass next to her feet. “Perhaps. Or perhaps I just wish the best for my friend.” She shook her head. “At any rate, it hardly matters when it sounds as if Julian won’t be returning. My heart is broken for Cass.”

A grim nod. “Julian was … is a good man.”

Lucy nodded solemnly, too. She cleared her throat, needing to say something to return the conversation to its earlier pleasantness. “Thank you very much for the picnic, Your Grace. It’s too bad Cass was ill and you were forced to suffer my company.”

He popped a grape into his mouth. “I’m not having such a bad time with you.”