Page 53 of His Runaway Duchess

“Yes, if you don’t mind,” came the smooth reply. “I wanted to talk to Miss Daphne.”

Clarissa stepped inside, already dressed for the wedding and looking thoroughly elegant. She held a little, velvet-covered box in her hand.

“You look lovely, my dear,” Clarissa said, smiling nervously. “I… I think I am here to apologize.”

“You think?” Anna responded staunchly. “Are you, or aren’t you? You did more or less call our sister a woman of ill repute in front of the whole dinner table.”

Clarissa’s ears reddened. “Do not put words in my mouth, please. But I was too harsh, and I spoke without thinking. I amsorry, Daphne. I see Edward a good deal, you see, and live close by, so it’s in our best interests to get along. I wish I could take back my words, but I cannot. So, here is a small gift. I hope you’ll wear it today. A token of our friendship to come.”

She held out the box, and Daphne took it, smiling.

“That’s kind of you. Thank you. And please, think no more of it. We all said things we should not. Besides, you are Edward’s mother, so it’s entirely natural that you were concerned.”

Clarissa’s expression tightened. “Not his mother. His stepmother. Not that I mind the distinction, but Edward is always very clear. I… I tried to be his mother,” she added, glancing self-consciously about the room, “but I could never quite manage it. We’re friends, Edward and I, and I suppose that will have to be enough.”

That was an uncomfortable speech.

Daphne shifted from foot to foot and saw that the others also looked a little awkward. Before the silence could really settle in, she spoke up.

“Well, I am still grateful that you’re here, Lady Clarissa. And I’m sure wewillbe friends. Now, let’s see what you’ve brought me!”

She opened the velvet box, revealing a beautiful diamond necklace and a set of matching earrings. They were rather large and gaudier than she would have preferred. Her brocaded gownwas a pale blue, and she was going to wear a set of sapphires to match, but Clarissa was watching her anxiously, wringing her thin hands and waiting for her response.

“They’re beautiful,” Daphne responded, honestly enough. “They must have cost a fortune. Do you truly mean for me to have these?”

“Of course,” Clarissa said, laughing in relief. “They’ll suit your dress nicely—diamonds go with everything—and they’ll be a fine beginning to your jewelry collection. The Duchess of Thornbridgemusthave a jewelry collection, you know! The late Duke bought these for me onourwedding day, and they were always my favorites.”

Daphne froze, her eyes wide. “These were a wedding present from your husband? Oh, Lady Clarissa, Icannottake them! I could wear them for today, as a sort ofsomething borrowed, but to keep?—”

“No, I insist,” Clarissa interrupted, more firmly than before. “I want you to have them. I think my late husband would approve of this gift, and I’m sure that Edward will. You will wear them, won’t you?”

“Yes, of course,” Daphne responded.

There wasn’t really anything else to say.

Clarissa beamed. “Well then, I’m ready, so I’ll go down and meet you at the chapel. Good luck, my dear!”

She left without another word, and silence lingered in the room after she’d gone.

“Well,” Anna said, “what an impressive gift. Especially considering that she accused you of seducing the Duke deliberately only a little while ago.”

“Maybe that’s why she wants so badly to make amends,” Emily suggested, lacing up the last of the ties on the back of Daphne’s dress. “She seems… sad, doesn’t she?”

“She ought not to have told us about not being considered the Duke’s proper mother,” Octavia remarked, frowning to herself. “We aren’t family yet.”

“She’s going to be my mother-in-law, for all intents and purposes,” Daphne pointed out. “So I had better like her, hadn’t I?”

Emily finished the laces and leaned forward to kiss her twin sister on the cheek. “She seems nice enough, and the Duke will make a decent husband. All of this house will beyours, Daff! Isn’t that thrilling?”

“It is, a little,” Daphne admitted, smiling wryly. “I can’t quite believe I’m getting married.Married. Me!”

“We’re all shocked,” Anna remarked dryly, giving her a wink.

The diamond necklace sat cold and heavy on Daphne’s neck, and the earrings caught the light and glittered whenever she turned her head.

“I’m ready, then,” she murmured, inspecting herself in the mirror one last time.

Another knock sounded at the door, but this time Alex stood there, beaming.

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