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.”

“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.”