The Unlikely Lady (Playful Brides #3)(69)

“Upton, there you are. I thought I might find you here this afternoon.”

Garrett looked up to see Derek Hunt and Rafe Cavendish making their way toward him. He stood to greet them. “Claringdon, Cavendish, good to see you.”

“A bit early in the day for a drink, don’t you think?” Claringdon asked as soon as he was close enough to spot Garrett’s brandy.

“I’m not certain that’s possible,” Rafe added.

Garrett grinned. He’d always liked that Cavendish.

“You should listen to the lad, Claringdon. Care to join me for a drink?” He turned to Rafe. “I didn’t know you were a member here, Cavendish.”

Rafe flashed his own grin. “I’m not. Just taking advantage of my influential friend here.” He clapped Claringdon on the back.

“Welcome,” Garrett replied, gesturing to the seats near him.

The other two men sat while Garrett returned his attention to his brandy.

Claringdon relaxed against his seat and crossed one booted foot over the opposite knee. “There’s something I need to tell you, Upton. It involves Lucy and—”

Garrett groaned. Setting his drink on the table next to him, he dropped his forehead into his hands. “If it involves Lucy, it’s going to be messy, isn’t it?”

“A bit,” Claringdon replied, tugging at his cuff.

Rafe had busied himself ordering a drink of his own from a passing footman.

Garrett straightened up and took another swig. “Out with it then, Claringdon.”

“Lucy informed me last night that she and Cass were up to something at the house party,” Claringdon said.

Garrett waved away his words. “If this involves Mrs. Bunbury, I—”

Claringdon shook his head. “It’s not that. Apparently, Lucy and Cass thought it would be a good idea if they both”—Claringdon winced—“if they told you Jane was in love with you and told Jane you were in love with her.”

Rafe Cavendish whistled. “Now that is up to something.”

Garrett’s stomach dropped. He squeezed his glass. “What do you mean?”

Claringdon wiped a hand across his brow. “Did Cassandra tell you Jane was in love with you?”

Garrett’s throat went dry. “Yes.”

“Lucy told Jane you were in love with her,” Claringdon continued.

The room spun. Garrett clutched at the arm of his chair. “What in the devil are you talking about?”

“I’m deuced sorry to say it,” Claringdon continued, “but apparently, they became convinced you and Jane were perfect for each other and set about their plan in a misguided attempt at matchmaking.”

Garrett clenched his jaw. “My God. It was never true? Any of it?” he whispered.

“Afraid not.”

The footman returned with the brandies just then, and Rafe, good chap that he was, had the decency to remain silent and sip his drink.

Garrett’s mind raced. What did this mean? Not only did Jane not love him, but she had been under the mistaken impression he had been in love with her? If she’d been told around the same time he’d been told, that would have been before the picnic at the house party. What the hell had Lucy and Cass been thinking?

“Does Jane know?” Garrett swallowed the lump that had unexpectedly formed in his throat.

“Yes,” Claringdon said. “Lucy intends to tell her today. I doubt Jane will be pleased.”

“The feeling is mutual.” Garrett pressed the back of his hand against the throbbing pain in his head.

“At the risk of offending you, Your Grace,” Rafe interjected, “it sounds as if you’ve got your hands full with your new duchess.”

Claringdon’s mouth quirked up in a half-smile. “You don’t know the half of it, Cavendish.” He settled back in his chair and steepled his fingers over his middle. “That’s it, Upton. I thought you should know.”

Garrett closed his eyes briefly. “Thank you for telling me, Claringdon. I assume Lucy sent you so she wouldn’t have to face my wrath.”

Claringdon inclined his head. “Something like that. She also had the nerve to ask me to tell you she still believes you and Jane make a fine couple and you should seriously consider marrying her.”

Garrett’s throat tightened. “It’s too late.” He shook his head and stared, unseeing, into the fireplace across the room. “You must congratulate me, fellows. I have just decided to marry Isabella Langford.”





CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

“But Lucy told me specifically that you adore Much Ado About Nothing and you would certainly agree to accompany me,” Daphne Swift said the next afternoon as she and Jane took a turn around Jane’s parents’ garden. Jane would have preferred a stroll through the park, but considering how gossip about her behavior at the wedding house party was spreading through town, she thought better of such an outing today. It was only a matter of time before her mother found out. And possibly dismissed Mrs. Bunbury. Which was ridiculous, of course, but entirely probable.

“Please, Jane,” Daphne continued. “It’s been so dreadfully dull since Cass and Julian left on their honeymoon. I’ve nothing to entertain me.”

Jane gave her a sideways stare and pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. “What about Captain Cavendish? He looked as if he were entertaining you at the wedding ball.”