The Unexpected Duchess (Playful Brides #1)(93)

“I wish Lord Berkeley the very best.” Then Lucy leaned up and whispered, “And you, my cousin, may very well have your chance with Cass now.”

Garrett’s forehead wrinkled into a frown and he opened his mouth to speak, but just then Jane and Cass came up to them. Derek and Lucy’s parents went over to speak with Derek’s mother and the Lowndeses.

Jane hugged Lucy. “I cannot say I envy you being leg-shackled, but for a wedding it wasn’t half bad.”

Cass had tears in her eyes. “Oh, Lucy, it was so pretty. I’m so happy for you. You’re a duchess. A real and true duchess.”

Lucy laughed. “Yes, an unexpected duchess to be sure, but a duchess nonetheless.”

“A duchess with a formidable tongue and penchant for bluntness,” Garrett added.

“Guilty,” Lucy agreed.

“When you wear a turban in your old age and stare at younger folk through your quizzing glass you’ll be positively frightening, Lucy,” Jane said. “I should know because I intend to be there with you, doing the exact same thing. With great aplomb, I might add.”

Lucy laughed again. “Ooh, I’m quite looking forward to that, actually.”

Lucy heard Derek speaking to her parents. “You know Lucy is an excellent rider.” He addressed that comment to her father. “And being demure is highly overrated,” he told her mother. She could just picture her mother’s reaction to that statement. When he was done talking to her parents, Derek strolled over to their little group and put his hand around his wife’s waist. He dropped his head and kissed her shoulder. Jane and Cass sighed.

“The only thing that would make this day more perfect would be if Swift were back to see it,” Derek said to Lucy. He’d also mentioned something about how two of their other friends were apparently still missing on the Continent, but he hadn’t wanted to spoil the day by explaining the details.

Lucy smiled and patted Derek’s hand. “He’ll be here soon, my love.” She glanced over at Cass. Her friend wasn’t speaking; she had turned away from the group and was tellingly tugging on the end of her glove. “Cass, are you all right?”

Cass nodded, wiping away a tear with a handkerchief.

“Dear, what is it?”

“It’s nothing, I’m just … I’m so happy for you, Lucy. Truly I am. You’ve fallen in love and got married. A dream come true.”

Lucy hugged Cass’s shoulder and pulled her tight. “Don’t worry, dear. You deserve the very same. And I’ve every confidence that you’ll find it.”

Cass nodded.

Jane came up to the two of them, and the three friends separated themselves from the others. “Well, Lucy. We started out trying to help Cass, and so we did.”

“And in the meantime, Cass helped me, too. She helped me find love, just like you promised, Cass.”

Cass smiled at Lucy. “Oh, Lucy, it was so obvious that you and the duke belonged together.”

Jane nodded. She put her arms around her friends’ shoulders. “So, what shall we turn our considerable talents to next, ladies?”

“Next is you, Janie,” Cass said with a bright smile. “Lucy’s going to help convince your mother to leave you alone when it comes to getting married.”

They all glanced over to where Lucy’s and Jane’s parents were conversing. “Perfect,” Jane said. “You’d better stop them from talking to Lucy’s parents then. Their daughter just unexpectedly married a duke. They’re never going to let me forget it. Up till now, I’ve been able to point at Luce and say, ‘See, she’s a wallflower, too.’”

Lucy laughed. “Don’t worry, Janie. I’ll make certain you’re all right. I’ll rescue you.”

“I like the idea of a lady rescuing me instead of a man. As it should be.” Jane gave a resolute nod. “Mary Wollstonecraft would be proud.”

Cass laughed. “We must think of a way to keep Janie away from the marriage mart for good.”

Lucy nodded. “Agreed.”

“I agree, too,” said Jane. “But for some reason, I think that you, my dear Cass, may be the next recipient of our collective help.”

Cass blinked. “What do you mean? Lately I’ve been considering the convent.”

“I do envy the nuns their simple clothing,” Jane continued. “But what do you think I mean? Julian is on his way home.”

“Oh, no, no, no. I’ve given up that hope. I intend to do nothing more than wish Julian and Penelope well.”

“And hopelessly pine for him?” Jane asked.

Cass shrugged. “That part, I may well be unable to help.”

Lucy and Jane patted Cass’s shoulders.

Derek strolled up then and pulled his wife away from the little group and into a corner. He slipped a giant ring on her finger. Lucy looked down. The ring had three stones: a large square diamond in the center with a small, square sapphire on one side and a matching emerald on the other.

Lucy gasped. “What’s this?”

“It’s your ring. I picked it out this morning especially for you. It reminds me of your beautiful eyes.”

Lucy reached up, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him. “Oh, Derek, I love you so much. Thank you.” She held out her hand and stared at the ring contentedly.