Page 102 of Romancing Daphne

She did not look at him, though he could see a bit of color touch her cheeks.“I certainly hope I am not so shortsighted as to refuse to acknowledge your virtues simply because you did not conveniently fall top-over-tail in love with me.”

Her attempt at an unaffected expression fell noticeably short of the mark. He could see the lingering pain in her eyes that his one-time disregard had caused.

“Daphne, I—”

“My family and I put every ounce of strength we had into our homeduring our years of poverty,” she rushed on, cutting across his words. “Theland and tenants deserve to be cared for and cared about.”

“I promise to do my very best for them, but—”

“I am certain you will be given a great many tasks to prepare for your father’s arrival. I won’t keep you from it.” Daphne quickened her pace, throwing a glance back over her shoulder as she reached the stairs leading up to the family’s quarters.“Good day.”

He watched her disappear up the steps.“Good day,” he quietly replied.

Despite his awkward leave-taking and her conviction that he did not care for her, some progress had been made. She trusted him, at least a little. And somehow, he’d begrudgingly won the support of her brother and brother-in-law.

Beyond that, she had let him hold her, even kiss her. It had been brief,almost to the point of nonexistence, but it was, without question, reasonenough to hope.

Chapter Thirty-Six

The next evening, Fanny motionedJames aside in the corridor. She was the chambermaid who had accompanied James and Daphne on their memorable ride through Hyde Park. She held an impressive handful of deepest-red roses.

“Miss Daphne prefers the red roses,” Fanny whispered, her eyes darting about the corridor as if she were sharing a great national secret and feared being found out.“These’re the reddest we have, I’d wager.”

Fanny had taken a great interest in his rather pathetic romantic endeavors, asking after his success whenever they crossed paths. She had a crookedly endearing smile and an infectious enthusiasm James had grown quickly fond of.

Though the flowers were beautiful, their fragrance filling the air, James couldn’t like the idea of Fanny’s getting in trouble for taking them.“Will you be scolded for this?” he asked.

She shook her head confidently.“M’ uncle is the groundskeeper here at the London house. He knows all about you courting our Miss Daphne. We’re all cheering for you, in fact. Such a quiet, sweet thing, Miss Daphne. She deserves a good man who loves her.”

James took the bouquet with a smile of gratitude.“Perhaps if the rest of the staff would rally behind me and drop a few kind words in Miss Lancaster’s ear about how worthy and good I am.”

Fanny laughed, her smile turning evermore lopsided.“We’ll do that, Lord Tilburn.”

He smiled, touched by her support.“Wish me luck.”

“I’ll do even better,” she said.“I’ll pray.”

As he reached the corridor that led to the drawing room, James decidedFanny must have been praying for all she was worth. The lady who had occupied his every waking thought stood at the head of the enormous grand staircase. She smiled when she saw him.

“You look exceptionally happy this evening,” he said.

“This promises to be an enjoyable evening.” Her eyes strayed repeatedly during the brief reply to the small bouquet in his hand. James recognized a hopeful expression when he saw one.

He offered her the flowers with as much gallantry as he could without being ridiculous.

“I know these roses. You’ve been pilfering the grounds?”

Ah, that lovely dimple of hers!“It seems the groundskeeper likes me. He allowed me to bring these to you.”

They walked beside one another, neither speaking, though the silencewas not awkward. A natural, easy smile touched Daphne’s lips as shebreathed deep the roses’ fragrance. James simply watched her, pleased that she appeared less somber than she so often did. If mere flowers could havesuch a happy effect, he told himself he’d find a way to bring her an offering regularly.

James slipped his hand around hers and lifted her hand to his lips.“I have missed you,” he whispered.

She looked quite convinced he was teasing her.“Since breakfast this morning?”

“Is it so strange to miss someone after such a short separation?” he asked.

“If that someone is me, yes.”

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