Jane had to swallow her laughter. “Now is probably not the best time to mention my new chaperone.”

“New chaperone?” Garrett put a hand on his hip.

Lucy looked at her cousin out of the corners of her eyes. “Never mind that. Suffice it to say, I do intend to help Janie here with her little problem, but that has nothing to do with Cass and Julian and will not cause them a bit of trouble.”

Upton’s dark brows shot up. “Jane’s little problem?”

Jane shaded a hand across the top of her bonnet in an effort to look as if she were watching Daphne’s progress in retrieving the arrows. Jane wasn’t about to explain anything to Upton, of all people.

“Yes, it’s Jane’s turn, after all,” Lucy responded.

“Turn at what?” The expression on Upton’s face could only be called skeptical.

“Why, our pact of course.” Lucy shrugged as if it were common knowledge. “We made one last summer, Jane, Cass, and I.”

Upton scrubbed a hand across his cheek. “I don’t think I want to hear this.”

“It’s nothing scandalous.” Lucy flicked the curl off her forehead. “We merely agreed to help one another, using our particular skills.”

“And those are?” Upton prodded.

“First, I helped Cass rid herself of the Duke of Claringdon,” Lucy said.

Upton’s eyes widened. “You mean your husband?”

Lucy pursed her lips. “He just so happened to be perfect for me, but I hardly knew that at the time we made our pact.”

“Then we helped Cass in pursuit of Julian,” Jane added, smiling sweetly at Upton.

Garrett’s mouth twisted grotesquely as if he’d just swallowed an eel. He turned to Lucy. “Don’t tell me you’re turning your talents toward finding Miss Lowndes here a mate.”

“Don’t be a nitwit, Upton.” Jane crossed her arms over her chest. “And please don’t say ‘mate’ like that. It sounds so … barbaric.”

“Of course not,” Lucy interjected before Upton could reply. “We merely intend to ensure Jane’s mother leaves her alone to be a spinster. Just as Jane wishes.”

“Oh, really?” Upton replied, giving Jane a sardonic look. “How exactly do you intend to accomplish that?”

Lucy didn’t take a breath. “Jane’s been suffering at her mother’s insistence that she marry and we’ve a plan to put an end to it. It’s quite simple, really. Nothing that will cause trouble at the wedding.”

“Lucy.” The note of warning was back in Upton’s voice. “What are you planning to do?”

Lucy waved her hand in the air. “Nothing that requires your assistance, dear cousin. You needn’t warn me this time. I’ve everything perfectly under control.”

Upton studied Jane. She merely shrugged. She’d been patiently waiting her turn for Lucy’s, er, expertise, and she wasn’t about to allow Upton’s cautiousness to upend her Mrs. Bunbury plot. Lucy always managed to think of some way to get what she wanted, and this time, Jane intended to be the happy recipient of that skill.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head, Garrett,” Lucy replied, patting her cousin’s arm. “Besides, after I help Jane here, I may turn my attentions to you.”