Page 40 of Romancing Daphne

“What the deuce is she wearing?” It was a forceful greeting even for Adam.

Persephone had only just led Daphne into Adam’s book room to bid him farewell. Somehow Daphne had been convinced to go shopping for a new wardrobe.

“Take a deep breath, dearest,” Persephone said. “Daphne looks lovely.”

“She looks . . . grown up,” he growled.

“Sheisgrown up, you dolt.” Persephone pulled her gloves on. “We are off on a shopping expedition. I thought I had better warn you before the bills begin arriving.”

“What care I for bills? If you take her out looking like that, every unattached male in London will be following her about like imbeciles. You can’t—” His fearsome brow furrowed further. “What have you done to her hair?”

“We cut it.”

“I don’t like it.”

Persephone shot Daphne a grin. “What did I tell you? A triumph!”

For the first time since asking for Persephone’s help to improve her appearance, Daphne began to feel more confident in the results.

“Have a good afternoon, my love.” Persephone stretched up to kiss Adam’s cheek. “We will be back with loads of boxes and a great many imbeciles in tow.”

Adam stomped toward the door. “I am coming with you.”

“Shopping?” Persephone sputtered.

“I will not have a repeat of Finley’s behavior. No one will dare speak an ill word to either of you if I am there.”

“An ill word?” Persephone moved to join him at the book room door. “No one will dare even breathe.”

“All the better.”

“No.” Persephone spoke firmly. “London is already quaking in its collective boots having seen the black looks you’ve tossed about lately, not to mention the very detailed threats you’ve issued. I will not have you sending all of Society fleeing to the countryside.”

“I care not where they flee to so long as they flee somewhere.”

Artemis popped into the doorway. “If Adam is going shopping, I should get to go as well. You know I adore spending hours and hours at shops.”

“Hours and hours, Adam,” Persephone said. “Hours. Of clothing and bonnets. Do I really need to force you to turn that down?”

Adam’s confused gaze moved to Daphne. “You agreed to this? You have never been interested in such frivolous things.”

Embarrassment heated her cheeks. Though she loved Adam dearly, she was not about to admit the real reason for her sudden interest in being fashionable. She wanted to be something other than a silent wallflower. She wanted to be noticed, a wish Adam would likely condemn.

“A necessary evil,” she told him. “Besides, you once told me that appearing confident is often all one needs to be taken seriously. I believe it is time I looked like I belong in Society rather than giving the impression of desperately wanting their approval.”

“Do not go begging for the approval of idiots, Daphne. They do not deserve to have that power over you.” He crossed back to her and set his hands on her upper arms. “Promise me you are not doing this out of any misplaced desire to fit Society’s definition of worth.”

“I simply wish for my appearance to reflect the person I am: mature, capable, and worthy of notice.”

He eyed her new hairstyle, his mouth turning down in disapproval. “What happened to that little girl who used to come sit with me in the afternoons?”

“I still sit with you,” she reminded him. “I did just yesterday, in fact. And Persephone has agreed not to make morning calls tomorrow so I can sit with you then as well.”

“Look at you. You grew up.” He shook his head and sighed. “I don’t like it.”

Dear, sweet Adam.Daphne wrapped her arms around him, hugging him fiercely.

As expected, he objected immediately. “Do not grow maudlin.” He disengaged himself from her embrace. “If you mean to empty my coffers at the shops, you had best get to it.” He shooed her away but called out to her as she reached the door. “If you should see Mr. Finley while you are out, havethe coachman shoot him, compliments of the Duke of Kielder.”

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