Page 33 of The Rogue and His Flower

She gives me one of her looks, but she refrains from saying anything further, which I’m grateful for because right now I’m feeling especially vulnerable given everything that’s happened these past few days.

“You have always been a kind girl, and I know that what you’re doing is an act of love for your brother,” Daphne says, patting my hand comfortingly before leaning in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I also know Carl Gunn, and he’s a cruel man, Daisy. He uses people and discards them as soon as he gets what he wants. He conducts his personal life in the exact same way as he conducts his business dealings, and that is viciously with little regard for anyone but himself.”

“I’m well aware of the kind of man Carl is, and I know what I’ve gotten myself into,” I add, trying to reassure her, but failing given the look she gives me.

“And I’ve known Carl as long as I knew your father, God rest his soul, and he has chewed up and spit out three wives and countless women over the years. And as for Dalton…” Her voice trails off as she shakes her head.

“It’s alright, you can say what’s on your mind, because I doubt very much what you think of him is any different to what I think of him. He’s a clone of his father.”

“Carl would like to think so, I’m sure,” Daphne says. “But Dalton is more like his mother than he realises.”

“You knew her?”

“I’ve lived in Princetown my whole life. I have served many people in this café, and I’ve learned a lot of things. Dalton’s mother was a lovely woman.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard Dalton say anything kind about his mother. Anything at all, come to think of it.”

“She left when he was a young boy, that can’t have been easy on him,” Daphne says, and I nod, mulling that over. “And I suspect his father hasn’t encouraged their relationship in any way. I’d bet my retirement nest-egg that man has made it very difficult for her to have any contact with her son.”

“You think he’s somehow stopped her from seeing him?”

“I think Carl Gunn is capable of many deplorable things.”

“Wow. That’s…horrid.”

“What I can tell you is that the Claudine I knew was sweet and kind, but unfortunately not very strong emotionally. At least not strong enough to stand up against Carl Gunn.”

“Well, I can tell you that Dalton doesn’t take after his mother,” I point out. “Frankly, he’s a jerk.”

“I’m sure he can be, but I wasn’t talking about that part,” she says, squeezing my hand, before resting back against her seat.

“You’re saying he’s not emotionally strong?” I can’t help but laugh. “Daltondoesn’thaveany emotions unless you includevanity. In fact he excels at being vain. The manloveshimself. He’s cocky, arrogant, self-centred, selfish?—”

“And why do you think he might be vain?” Daphne asks, cutting off my tirade.

“Because he has an ego the size of the moon, and he thinks he’s God’s gift to women.”

“Vain people are very often insecure, Daisy. They seek attention, validation and admiration from others to make them feel important because somewhere along the line they’ve been made to feel the exact opposite.”

I puff out a breath, frowning. “I hadn’t even considered that perspective.”

“I’m not saying I’m right, I’m just saying that sometimes how people present themselves is a mask to cover up a multitude of hurts. Put it this way, if you had the misfortune of having a father like Carl Gunn, wouldn’t you want to hide away any perceived flaws and suppress emotions that man would deem worthless?”

“So what are you saying exactly?”

“I’m saying that you need to be careful around Carl. People like him have a habit of pulling the rug out from under you when you least expect it.”

“I promise, I will be.”

“And with Dalton…” Daphne’s voice trails off as she cocks her head at me.

“Yes?” I question.

“A person’s vulnerabilities can be the very thing that shapes their character, both the good, and the bad. Those vulnerabilities can also be the key to unlocking someone’struenature and motivations. Something worth remembering, don’t you think?”

“I’ll bear that in mind.”

“Good. Now, you enjoy the rest of that sugared bun, and I’ll get back to work,” she replies, getting up and dropping a kiss tomy forehead, before heading towards the back of the café to clear up some plates left behind on a table there.

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