The Unexpected Duchess(87)

“What then?”

“When the duke accompanied Mama and me to the theater last night, all he could talk about was you.”

Lucy counted five. It was finally time to set things right with her friend. “There’s something I must tell you, Cass.”

She smiled at Lucy. “That you’re madly in love with the duke?”

Lucy looked twice. Cass’s face was perfectly serene. “How did you know?”

“Oh, Luce, it’s been obvious for ages.”

Lucy pressed her fingertips to her lips. “Ages? It has?”

“Yes. Janie and I have been waiting for you to finally admit it.”

Lucy slapped her hand to her forehead. “You have?”

“Absolutely. It’s been clear since we went to Bath that you and Derek were ever so much more suited to each other than he and I. In fact, I’d been pretending to be far more helpless than I really felt in an effort to allow you two to spend more time in each other’s company since the Chamberses’ ball.”

“The Chamberses’ ball!” Lucy’s mouth was a wide O. “But what about Lady Hoppington’s Venetian breakfast? You told Derek he could court you.”

Cass shook her head. “It wasn’t quite straightforward of me, I know, but I thought it was a way to keep you and Derek in proximity of each other. If I told him to leave, I think he would have then. And the two of you might never have seen each other again.”

Lucy covered her friend’s hand with her own and squeezed. “You did that for me?”

“I’d do anything for you, Lucy.” She went on, “I admit when I got the letter from Julian, it confused and upset me. I had no idea Julian felt so strongly about me marrying Derek.”

“It’s understandable, Cass.”

Cass nodded. “But if Julian were here, and he could see the two of you, he’d know it was for the best. He’d want his friend to be happy. As I do you.”

“Oh, Cass, you’re so lovely. I’m so proud to call you my friend,” Lucy said.

“The feeling is entirely mutual,” Cass replied with a smile.

Lucy sighed. “How will I tell everyone else? Does Garrett know?”

Cass shook her head. “About you and the duke? I don’t think so.”

“But you and Janie do?”

“Of course. Why do you think I faked a head cold and asked you to spend time with him? Not to mention acting like such a spineless ninny the entire time he was attempting to court me. I am a ninny. But I hope I am not quite so spineless.”

Lucy’s mouth fell open. “You are not a ninny, Cass.” She plunked her hands on her hips. “You faked your head cold?”

“I absolutely did. Janie helped me put rouge on my nose, but the false sneezing was all me. I did an admirable job of it, did I not? And I can tell you, it wasn’t much fun having to be cooped up in bed all those days in a row whenever you were about.”

Lucy snorted. “I cannot believe it. You detest lying.”

“Oh, it was lying for the very best reason, though, wasn’t it? That’s why Janie was hiding from you. She thought if she got alone with you to talk, you’d ask her too many questions and she’d be forced to admit to her duplicity.”

Lucy shook her head. “You two. I should have known you were up to something, especially when I overheard you saying what a ninny you were being. But I truly believed you needed my help dissuading Derek.”

Cass smiled back. “I know how stubborn you are, Lucy. You’d never have discovered what a match you were without a little nudge from me.”

Lucy shook her head. “I cannot believe it. And Janie knew about this?”

Cass nodded. “Can you ever forgive us?”

Lucy gave her a sidewise glance accompanied by a wide grin. “I think perhaps I can.”

“If you truly have feelings for the duke, I’m happy for you.” Cass leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially. “And do you know what I think you should do?”

“No. What?”

“I think you should go to him and tell him how you feel.”

Lucy winced. “I don’t know that that’s such a good idea. I’m not certain how he’ll react.”

“Why?”

Lucy rubbed her hand across her forehead. “When we were in Bath, I told Derek to marry you. I also told him I didn’t want to see him again.”

“What? How does that make any sense?” Cass asked with a laugh. “If we’d married, you’d be certain to see him again.”

Lucy shook her head. “I wasn’t exactly thinking clearly. I only knew I had to get away from him. I felt so guilty knowing how my feelings for him were growing when he was meant for you. I told him I’d forsake my friendship with you to allow you two to marry happily.”