Page 30 of Earl for the Summer
He could tell from his first glimpse of them that they were very distinct personalities, like he and Julian had always been. Some expected twins to be alike in most respects; they rarely were. Unlike in many families, it seemed the Bridewells encouraged the sisters’ differences. Many twins of their age would be expected to dress alike. Not the Bridewell twins. One wore a vivid magenta-colored dress. The other wore a muted gray-blue one, and he couldn’t help but notice the shell on a ribbon around her neck. He immediately felt an affinity for that nod to the sea.
“How do you do?” he said to the one in the bright-hued gown. She held a notebook clutched under her arm.
“Pleased to meet you, my lord,” Marigold Bridewell said, dropping into a practiced curtsy.
“And Miss Hyacinth Bridewell,” he said to the other, then gestured toward her necklace. “A keepsake from the seaside?”
“Oh,” she said, reaching up to touch her fingers to the queen scallop shell with lines of pink—like the roses Daphne had showed him—running through it. “It’s from a family trip to Margate.”
Hyacinth Bridewell beamed to have the keepsake noticed. “Are you fond of the seaside, my lord?”
“I am. Very much so.” Cassian glanced at Daphne.
In truth, he’d never felt more at sea than he did now. After that kiss.
He’d wanted it. Good God, he couldn’t have said no to save himself. When she’d asked him, he’d wondered for a moment if he was lost in some dream.
But now, with the taste of her still on his lips, guilt crept in.
That kiss had signified more than mere desire. She’d given him her trust. She’d given him a gift.
And he was the very devil to have taken what she offered when she didn’t even know his name.
Dinner with the Bridewells and their small handful of friends was both a blessing he did not deserve and a reminder of what he’d given up when he’d vowed to remain alone for the rest of his days.
The family engaged in lively and open discussion. When mention of the remaining social events of the Season came up, Daphne glanced his way.
Perhaps she hoped he’d change his mind and stay, but if anything, the kiss reminded him why he needed to go. He was not the man she thought he was, and she deserved a man who would never disappoint her as he was about to do.
As soon as dinner service ended, guests made their way to the drawing room to continue their discussions. A few made their way out to the lantern-lit gardens.
“I should go,” he forced himself to say when she joined him at the edge of the drawing room. “I depart on the early train.”
She stared at him. “You’re still leaving?”
“I must. Will you walk with me to the door?”
“If you like.” Keeping her distance, never looking his way, she led him to the foyer of the Edgerton townhouse, where a servant returned his hat and gloves.
“Did you know,” he asked, “that I am a twin, Miss Bridewell?” His heart thrashed as if it might break free of his chest. This had to be done, he told himself. And he had to face the consequences of his deceit.
“No.” She tipped her head. “I did not know that.”
“We are very different, my brother and I, except for the physical resemblance. Many cannot tell us apart. You did. You are the only who noticed the difference.”
Her breath hitched, and she recoiled as though the weight of the revelation had physically struck her.
“What are you saying?” The lovely flush of pink drained from her cheeks, fading as she paled. “That you’re not Julian Rourke, Viscount Windham?”
Cassian had thought the rifle bullet that tore through his arm and side during his naval service was the most pain he’d ever experience. But now, watching the hope in her eyes dim and twist into horror, was just as searing and sudden. Except now, all the pain gathered in the center of his chest. Right where she’d touched him but an hour ago.
“Forgive me, Daphne. I am not Lord Windham. I’m Cassian, his brother.”
“He never came back to London,” she breathed. “You lied…to everyone.”
Cassian bowed his head, then forced it up again. Forced himself to see the pain he’d caused.
“I should have told you the truth the moment I met you.”
