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She lifted a palm to his chest. She wore no gloves, and he had the mad thought that he wanted to be bare, out of Julian’s too-tailored evening suit, so he could feel her skin against his.

“Your heart is racing, Captain Rourke,” she said quietly. “So I believe you, though I didn’t think you’d be pleased to see me.”

And just like that, he was smiling again. “There has not been a moment since the day I met you that I wasn’t pleased to see you, Miss Bridewell.”

“Nevertheless, you must pretend tonight is the first time we’ve ever met.” She bit her bottom lip, and a need like he’d never felt in his life speared through him.

Good grief, how had he thought he could walk away from this woman and go on living his life as if she’d never left her mark on him?

“Can you do that?” she asked, pressing lightly on his chest.

Cassian laid a hand over hers where she touched him. “I can if you wish it.”

With a nod, she pulled her hand away gently. “I should go back.”

“I’ll follow soon after, and I hope…” He bit down on the next words, unsure, not trusting himself.

“You hope?” she asked, one tawny brow arched.

“That tonight is the last time there’s any pretending between us.” Apparently, it only took the crook of her brow. With her here, close to him again, he had no wish to prevaricate or hide his feelings.

“I’d like that.” She strode away as soon as the words were out.

Cassian pressed a fist to his chest where his heart beat hard and fast. It hadn’t fully steadied by the time he walked down the hall and into the drawing room.

He approached to stand a respectable distance from Daphne and her sister Ivy. They were clustered together near a potted palm in the corner.

The Duke of Edgerton looked a bit taken aback when he got a glimpse of Cassian. Beside him, his duchess lifted a brow, not unlike her sister had done minutes before.

Julian waved a hand toward him from where he stood near the unlit fireplace, briefly releasing his hold on his crutch. His other hand rested on the mantel as if taking a bit of its support. Having been on his one good foot for hours, his twin must have been fatigued and in pain.

“Dear guests, may I present my brother, Captain Cassian Rourke.”

“Twins,” Hyacinth Bridewell murmured with the beginning of a grin. “Why didn’t you tell us, my lord?”

Julian didn’t immediately answer, and the silence stretched so long that everyone turned their gazes his way. “In truth, Miss Hyacinth, we did not meet until this day.” His tone was gentle toward Daphne’s young sister.

Cassian heard Daphne gasp, a soft, hushed inhale that made him want to reach for her.

“Julian,” he tried in a warning tone. Yet he recognized the resolute look on his brother’s face.

“But…” Hyacinth frowned, then looked to her twin. “We did, my lord.” The girl lifted a hand to the pretty shell on a ribbon at her throat. “You remarked on my necklace.”

Julian gifted her a beaming smile. “It is indeed a lovely shell pendant, but the man who previously remarked on it was my brother.”

Edgerton glowered, and the duchess simply looked confused.

Cassian stepped closer to Daphne. He wanted to offer whatever comfort he could in this moment his brother had decided to engineer without giving him a single damn word of warning.

Julian laid a hand on his chest. “I owe an apology to all of you. And to my brother. I asked him for something that went against his conscience, against his good judgement, and I was too selfish to consider how it would impact others.”

Everyone in the room seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for the explanation Cassian dreaded.

“I asked my brother to go to London with the pretense of being Lord Windham.” Julian patted his chest. “The whole scheme was my doing. Indeed, I all but begged my brother to agree.” He gestured to his splinted leg.

“Down one leg, I could not return to the Season and woo a certain young lady. Not wishing to lose her favor, I asked my brother to take my place.”

Daphne turned her head, and Cassian stepped closer. He shook his head, dismayed, unsure how to make this moment less mortifying for her. For all of them.

“We’ve swapped places before,” Marigold said quietly.

“Though not since we were little,” Hyacinth added.

“You’re very wise young ladies.” Julian locked eyes with Cassian.

“And I am a very great fool.” He looked across the room at the Duke and Duchess of Edgerton.

“But what I must make clear is that my brother is no liar. The only time he’s ever pretended, it was on my behalf.

If he’s guilty of anything, it’s unflinching loyalty. ”

A wave of memories crashed over Cassian, unexpected and raw.

Julian wasn’t just referring to what happened in London. He was referring to the painful history neither of them talked about now.

For a moment, they locked gazes, and Julian’s jovial facade fell away. Cassian had long thought he’d protected his brother from so much, but, of course, their father’s cruelty took its toll on both of them.

“I’m sorry,” Julian said, still staring at Cassian, then he traced his gaze around all the guests in the drawing room. “For being the cause of such a foolish subterfuge.”

Edgerton gave his brother a nod and then looked Cassian’s way.

“And I’m sorry for feigning my identity,” Cassian said, his throat tight.

“You do look a bit different though,” Marigold Bridewell opined as she looked at Julian and then Cassian. “It’s a wonder no one noticed.”

“Someone did,” Cassian said, then turned a glance toward the lady at his elbow, whose jasmine scent booth soothed him and drove him slightly mad.

She shot him a self-satisfied look. “Yes,” she whispered, “someone did.”