“She’s happy that her darling daughter is getting married. Perhaps you should look at it that way.” Jane adjusted her spectacles upon her nose.
Cass raised a skeptical brow. “Darling?”
Jane shrugged.
Lucy cleared her throat. “Regardless, I’ve been helping your mother with the planning and we’ve everything arranged, including all the festivities leading up to the wedding.”
Cass’s nose reddened and she pressed her handkerchief to it. “The wedding,” she echoed. “Oh, I just cannot believe that I’m about to marry Julian next week. After so many years and then the last six months of waiting and— Will one of you pinch me, please? I’m so frightened that this is merely a dream.”
Jane rubbed Cass’s shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile. She was delighted for her friend. Cass was as beautiful inside as she was out and Jane was happy that Cass had found the love of her life. Apparently that did exist … for some people. “No need for pinching. It’s all quite real, I assure you, and no one deserves happiness more than you and Julian.”
Cass bowed her head slightly.
Lucy quickly hugged Cass. “Of course it’s real, dear. It’s real and it’s wonderful.”
“The size of this wedding has my nerves in knots,” Cass continued. “There will be dozens of guests!”
“An earl is getting married, dear,” Lucy replied with a warm smile.
“Yes, but I had no idea it would be so large. Normally these things are small, quiet affairs. You married a duke and didn’t have half so many in attendance, Lucy. It’s no wonder I have a red spot on my nose. The wonder is that I don’t have several.”
“When a war hero earl marries his true love, who just happens to be the daughter of another earl, the entire ton wants to celebrate it,” Jane added.
Cass bit her lip. “I don’t want to be a spectacle.”
“Be a spectacle, darling.” Lucy flourished her hand in the air. “And have the time of your life while you’re at it.”
“Well said,” Jane agreed with a nod.
Lucy hurried over to Cass’s wardrobe. “Now, I’ve got your costume for the masquerade and—”
Jane’s head snapped up. “Masquerade?”
Lucy turned her face and blinked at her. “Yes. Masquerade. Two nights hence. I thought I told you. Oh, Janie, please say you’ve remembered to bring a costume for the masquerade?”
“No, I have not remembered to bring a costume for a masquerade. I’ve never even been to a masquerade. Why in the world would you think I owned a costume for one? And why are we having a masquerade at a house party where everyone knows everyone?”
Cass and Lucy laughed and shook their heads simultaneously.
“Everyone does not know everyone. Many guests haven’t even arrived yet,” Lucy said. “Don’t worry about your costume. I’ve a gown you may wear and we’ll see to making you a domino. I think Mother has one. I’ll send one of the servants over to Upbridge Hall for it.”
Jane sighed. Drat all the luck that Lucy’s and Cass’s parents were neighbors, making it easy to send to Upbridge Hall for a domino mask. Growing up as neighbors, Cass and Lucy had become friends despite their differences. Lucy was a tomboy with a sharp tongue and matching manners and Cass was the soul of demure, ladylike perfection.
Jane fell somewhere in between. She’d never been much for demure ladylikeness, but she also couldn’t quite be bothered to not follow Society’s rules. She was too busy reading. She loved her friends fiercely, mostly because they did the lion’s share of the talking while she was left to blissfully read. Oh, she could offer a pithy comment now and again, but usually was quite happy to allow Lucy and Cass to sort out everything and tell her the relevant facts.
Too bad the latest relevant fact happened to be a masquerade ball. Jane sighed again. She would be a good sport for Cass’s wedding festivities, but really, a masquerade?
“Don’t worry. It’s certain to be fun, Janie.” Cass patted her hand.
“Of course it will.” Jane replaced her thoughts with a bright smile for Cass’s sake. If Cass wanted a masquerade during her wedding celebration, Jane would procure a domino and be there.
“Tell me,” Cass asked. “Have any other guests arrived since I’ve last been downstairs?”
“Upton’s here,” Jane announced, trying—though not particularly hard—to keep the disdain from her voice.
Cass clasped her hands together. “I’m so glad. Having the three of you with me makes me feel ever so much better.”