The Unexpected Duchess (Playful Brides #1)(69)

Jane covered her ears with both hands. “Please spare me the details.”

“Don’t worry. I wasn’t going to tell you that. It’s just that it’s been since Cass has taken ill and he hasn’t seen her since. I think he’s as confused about what to do as I am.”

Jane pulled her hands away from her ears. “It does sound like a mess. Have you told Garrett?”

“I can’t tell Garrett. I kissed the man! And I … did other things.”

Jane nodded. “I understand. He’s your cousin.” She resumed her pacing. “What is it that you want to do?”

Lucy blinked. “I don’t understand.”

Jane laughed. “It’s a simple question, Lucy. What do you want?”

“What does that matter? Cass and Derek are meant to be married.”

Jane stopped pacing and faced her, her hands on her hips. “That doesn’t answer my question,” she replied in a singsong voice.

Lucy twisted her hands together. “I can’t even think about being with Derek. It feels like a betrayal of Cass. I’m the worst friend in the world for what I’ve already done.”

“No, you’re not. You’re merely human, and this entire situation has been complicated to say the least. Cass isn’t certain she cares for the duke. You cannot be blamed for being confused as well. Though I must say it complicates things even more that he kissed you. More than once. And, ahem, did other things.”

Lucy slapped her palm onto her forehead. “Oh, Jane, what am I to do?”

“You’re quite certain you think nothing about Lord Berkeley other than he’s … nice?”

Lucy sighed and nodded. “Yes. He wrote me these wondrous letters but when we’re together, we have nothing to talk about. It’s quite awkward. I think I intimidate him.”

“And the kissing?”

Lucy squeezed her eyes shut. “All I could think about was Derek when I was kissing Christian.”

“Oh, that’s telling.” Jane leaned down and squeezed Lucy’s shoulder. “Let me share some advice that someone quite wise once shared with me.”

Lucy glanced up and gave her a hopeful look. “Yes?”

Jane plopped back down onto the bench next to her and grasped her hand. “You can never go wrong if you’re honest and follow your heart.”

Lucy wrinkled her nose. “Wollstonecraft?”

Jane gave her an exasperated look. “No, silly, you.”

“Me?” Lucy blinked.

“Yes. You’re always saying that to Cass about Julian. You’ve said it for years.”

“I have?”

“You don’t remember?”

Lucy shook her head. “Oh, why is it so much easier to offer others counsel than to heed it myself?”

Jane laughed at that. “Now, there’s a good question.”

Lucy took a deep breath. “Very well. I think I know what I must do.”

“What?” Jane asked, leaning forward on the bench toward Lucy.

“I’ll tell you as soon as I have it all settled.” Lucy stood, scooped up Jane’s book, and handed it back to her.

Jane plunked her free hand on her hip. “Not fair. I give you this wonderful advice and you won’t tell me what you’re planning to do?”

“I thought it was my advice,” Lucy said with a laugh.

“That’s hardly the point.” Jane pushed her nose in the air and opened her book again.

“Thank you, Jane, for everything.”

“You’re quite welcome. Now run off and do whatever it is you’re going to do, so that you may inform me of what it is that much sooner.” She smiled at her friend.

Lucy raced out of the garden, into the house, and up to her bedchamber. She hurried over to her writing desk, pulled out a quill and a piece of parchment, and quickly scribbled a note. She sanded it, sealed it, and rang for a footman to deliver it to Derek’s address.

She could only hope he would heed its contents.





CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR


Lucy glanced both ways to ensure she wouldn’t be seen before she ducked under the white trellis and entered the secluded garden near the Upper Crescent. The intimate space smelled like roses and freshly cut grass. She pressed her hand against her middle and let out her pent-up breath. She was alone. Derek had not yet arrived. Perhaps he would not come. Her letter had begged him to meet her here at two o’clock. It was a bit past the hour already. Perhaps he hadn’t been home to receive her missive. Would that be a good thing or a bad one?

She paced back and forth across the grass, biting the tip of one finger and replaying the whole of the last few days in her mind. She had to make things right. Had to. Janie had told her to follow her heart, but as soon as she’d heard her own advice she’d realized the truth. Some things were more important than following your heart. In fact, many things were. Things like friendships and honor and doing the right thing. This certainly was. Ensuring that her friend made the right match. That was the right thing to do. She was certain of it. Blast her stupid heart for being foolish and complicating things. But she was about to rectify that.

“Good afternoon,” a deep male voice intoned.

Lucy swung around.

Derek stood in the shade near the clethra bush, wearing a light gray coat, black trousers, and black boots with a starkly white cravat. He looked like a dream as usual.