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.
“You’re welcome, my love. And I’m hoping it will make you more forgiving when I tell you that I must leave soon on a trip to the Continent.”
Lucy furrowed her brow. “The Continent?”
“Yes. A bit of unfinished business from the war.”
Fear gripped her heart. “Will you be safe, Derek?”
“I promise.”
Her shoulders relaxed a bit. “Then I suppose I can spare you for a bit. I’ll be busy learning how to be a duchess, no doubt.”
He pulled her against him and whispered in her ear. “Do you want to know a secret?”
She turned her face to look up at him. “Yes. What?”
“This is what I wished for, when I threw that coin in the pool at the bathhouses.”
She smiled wide but slapped playfully at his shoulder. “You’re not supposed to tell what you wished for.”
He pulled up her hand and kissed her knuckles. “It already came true.”