The Unlikely Lady(12)

“Why must you include Upton in ‘the three of us’?” Jane scrunched up her nose.

Lucy gave Jane a warning look. “You promised to be civil,” she whispered.

“Very well,” Jane whispered back.

“You know Garrett is one of my dearest friends.” Cass made her way to the looking glass to examine her nose again. She poked at the red spot.

Jane crossed to the window and pulled back the curtain to view the sweeping landscape behind the manor house. Upton was still on the lawn, practicing his archery. Jane eyed his form. She’d like to challenge him to a round, show him just how superior ladies were. “A wonder he came, considering his feelings for you.”

Cass turned abruptly toward Jane. “Whatever do you mean?”

Jane pushed up her spectacles. “I mean Upton wanted to marry you, himself.”

“Yes, but—” Lucy began.

Jane turned to see her friends exchange a glance.

Lucy nodded toward Cass. “You should have been there, Cass. I told Garrett that after I help Janie with Mrs. Bunbury, I’ll help him find a wife.”

“You did?” Cass smothered a laugh with her hand.

“She did, indeed.” Jane turned back to the window.

“What did Garrett say to that?” Cass wanted to know.

“He gave me some more dire warnings of what would happen if I caused any trouble at your wedding and then spouted some nonsense about how he doesn’t need a wife. The man is going to be an earl one day. Of course he needs a wife. The sooner, the better if you ask me.”

Jane snorted. “Very best of luck finding someone who could stand him long enough to marry him, but we’re focused on Cass, this week, not Upton.”

“That’s absolutely right,” Lucy agreed.

“And we must plan what we’ll say to Mama when she arrives next week looking for Mrs. Bunbury,” Jane continued.

Cass tugged at her long hair. “What exactly do you intend to do?”

Lucy’s eyes lit with the mischievous glee they always did whenever she was explaining one of her schemes. “The idea is that if Jane has a chaperone who doesn’t exist, she might go to the circulating library or an intellectual salon instead of making calls and attending parties. There would be no one to contradict her assertions about where she has been.”

“But how will you ever keep up the charade back in London?” Cass asked.

Lucy tapped a finger against her cheek. “Admittedly, we haven’t thought it through much more than that. We were merely worried about this house party at present.”

“Yes, one problem at a time,” Jane said.

“However, Jane and I intended to devote a good portion of the next week to coming up with the solution to the problem,” Lucy added with a resolute nod.

Cass ran her hands down her sleeves. “Your mother thinks you’re here with Mrs. Bunbury, Jane?”

Jane nodded. “I was able to leave the house with Eloise, but Mama insisted she be introduced to my new chaperone when she arrives next week.”

“Don’t worry, Jane. We’ll think of something,” Lucy assured her.

“You two always do.” Cass turned her head from side to side in the mirror. “Perhaps I can wear a veil over my face for the next few days until this spot goes away.”

“The veil will just draw more attention to it.” Lucy turned to Jane. “You arrived here successfully, didn’t you?”

Jane nodded. “I did, indeed, arrive successfully. I agree about the veil.”

Cass sighed and backed away from the looking glass. She turned to her friends.

“Cass, you are not to worry yourself on the matter at all,” Lucy said. “You are the bride and it is your wedding party. Jane and I will handle the Mrs. Bunbury business.”

“That’s right,” Jane agreed.

“Did you tell Garrett about Mrs. Bunbury?” Cass asked.

Lucy shook her head. “No. Not yet.”

Cass’s eyes widened. “You plan to?”

Lucy smoothed her skirts. “With Garrett, it’s best to admit to things. He has an unfortunate habit of finding out eventually, and it’s better for everyone if he’s in on it from the first.”

“Yes, he did help when Owen arrived at the house party last autumn,” Cass admitted. “But still, even though it’s my wedding week, I want to help with Jane’s situation. It will keep my mind off my nerves, and my mother. And my spot.” She pressed at the offending bump again with the tip of her finger.

Jane tugged at her lower lip. “I’ve been thinking … Perhaps we can have Mrs. Bunbury write Mama a letter and tell her she’s come down with an illness and had to leave. She can add that she is quite certain I should despair of making a match. Perhaps we can convince Mama to abandon hope when it comes to my marital prospects.”