Garrett arrived after dinner. The small party was playing cards in the gold drawing room. When a footman announced her cousin, Lucy excused herself. She rushed out to the foyer where she apparently spoke with Garrett. By the time he swept into the room to join the others, he had a wide smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. Cass said a silent prayer. Garrett played his role to perfection. He greeted the room’s occupants with a friendly zeal and called everyone by their assumed names with decided aplomb. He clapped Lord Berkeley on the back and seemed positively delighted to call Lucy Lady Worthing. Cass watched him warily, still praying. When he came to the table where she was playing cards with Jane, he bowed over Cass’s hand. “Miss Bunbury, a pleasure.” “Mr. Upton.” “Miss Wollstonecraft.” He nodded to Jane. “You’re looking quite scholarly this evening.” Jane narrowed her eyes on him but merely replied with a tepid, “Mr. Upton.” Cass glanced at her. It was completely unlike Jane to remain silent at one of Garrett’s barbs and she rarely gave him the honor of putting mister in front of his name.
