And that’s why she had to ask him her next question.
Lucy took a deep breath. It was time. She might not have this opportunity again. “So would it be fair to say that you prefer a lady more like Cass than Jane?”
Lucy held her breath. It was the first time she had ever mentioned Cass to Garrett in such a manner. But she had to know. Did Garrett love Cass or not?
“Cassandra.” Garrett’s face immediately turned sober. “How is she? Did you speak with her today?”
Lucy let out her pent-up breath. Her cousin had managed to change the subject. But they were both worried about Cass. “She’s so upset, Garrett. I didn’t know how to comfort her.”
Garrett nodded grimly.
Lucy turned her head slightly and nearly gasped. The duke was standing only a few paces away. He was speaking with Lord Mountebank, laughing at something the viscount had said. Distracting, his laugh. Deep and rich and—
“I can’t imagine what she must be going through,” Garrett said, pulling Lucy from her wayward thoughts.
Lucy cleared her throat, doing her best to ignore the duke’s proximity. “Jane paid Cass a visit as well. She told me about it earlier. Nothing helped.” Had the duke taken a step closer?
Garrett cursed lightly under his breath. “And I suppose nothing will help. A broken heart is a difficult thing to mend. I suspect only time will help.”
Lucy couldn’t help but think that Garrett, while clearly worried for Cass, might just be hoping that given time and space, Cass could fall in love with him after Julian was gone. It was lovely to contemplate her cousin and her best friend together—but Lucy had to be truthful with Garrett; she always had been. She took a deep breath, willing away the unwanted thoughts of the duke behind her. “Garrett, I must tell you something.”
Garrett nodded, narrowing his eyes. “What is it?”
“I told Cass she must write to Julian and tell him the truth.”
Garrett turned his head slightly, eyeing her warily. “What do you mean?”
Lucy held out her hand in a supplicating gesture. “I mean she cannot just allow Julian to die without knowing how much she loves him.”
Garrett ran a hand over his face. “Are you jesting? What good could come of telling the man something like that on his deathbed?”
Lucy blinked at him. She lowered her voice to a hoarse whisper. “I cannot believe you’re saying this. Don’t you think he should know how she feels? And more important, don’t you think Cass shouldn’t have to live the rest of her life knowing she never told him?”
Garrett settled his hands on his hips. “Frankly, no, Lucy. I don’t think so. I think it’s a phenomenally bad idea actually.”
Lucy nearly growled in frustration. How could Garrett think that way? She wasn’t particularly known for her romantic notions, but even she could tell that if you loved someone as desperately as Cass loved Julian, you should never allow him to go to his grave without telling him. “You can never go wrong if you’re honest and follow your heart,” she murmured.
“And that’s supposed to fix everything?” Garrett replied, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
“If you were about to die, wouldn’t you want to know that someone loves you?” Lucy immediately clapped her hand over her mouth. They both knew that Garrett had been about to die once. In a desert in Spain. He’d been shot in the chest. Nearly bled to death. But she and her fun-loving cousin rarely spoke of such a time. And certainly they never spoke of how he lived with the guilt that he should have been the one who died just as she lived with that same guilt. But for an entirely different reason. No. That would have been a subject they would never broach. But it was never far from their minds and they both knew it.
Garrett cleared his throat. His voice was solemn. “I can say with all honesty that if I could do nothing about it, I wouldn’t want to know.”
Lucy searched his face. “You cannot mean that—”
“Lady Lucy, come and make a fourth for our hand,” Lady Crandall called, gesturing her over toward their card table. Now that the men had sufficiently settled into the room, the ladies were back at their intention for another round of cards. And Lucy’s popularity had somehow increased exponentially ever since her challenge with the duke. The ton was so odd.
Lucy fought her wince. She didn’t know if she could take another round of Lady Crandall’s loose fingers.
“Go ahead,” Garrett said, nodding toward Lady Crandall. “I’m going in search of Lord Mountebank’s study and a glass of brandy if I can find one.”
Lucy sighed. “You’re abandoning me? Very well then. Cards it is.” She lifted her skirts and made a move to proceed to Lady Crandall’s table when the Duke of Claringdon stepped in her path.