Page 41 of Romancing Daphne

“What if we should see Lord Techney?” Persephone asked.

“Same instructions.” Adam dropped into his armchair. “I am in the mood to vicariously shoot people today.”

Persephone laughed. “There’s the Adam we know and love.”

Chapter Fifteen

James walked arm in armwith his mother out to a chair set in the shade of an elm in the back gardens of the family’s London home. Her health had grown evermore uncertain since her arrival in Town. She was noticeably paler and hardly ventured from her private sitting room. James worried a great deal about her.

“This will be just the thing, Mother, you’ll see.” He saw her comfortably seated, then tucked a light blanket around her legs and lap.

“Lawn bowls?” Mother asked weakly, the smallest glimmer of curiosity in her eyes.

“Ben and I found the old set in the attics and thought we’d enjoy playing a game or two.”

“I am too ill to play,” Mother insisted.

James patted her hand.“I know. But we might prove entertaining, at least. You’re near enough to watch.”

Mother smiled at him with such gratitude.“I knew you would think of the perfect diversion.” She allowed the tiniest of heart-wrenching sighs.“I confess I have not at all enjoyed this trip to London. But I am trying to be optimistic, hoping you’ll think of a way to fix all this.”

“It is not so terrible as all that,” he insisted. “Miss Lancaster is a lovely person.”

“I can’t say I know enough of her to decide one way or the other.” Her earnest expression tugged at him. “I did not wish this for you, James. I know what it is to have that decision made by another. And I further know the unhappiness that comes of a marriage forced on two people who are not well suited. The late Lord Techney would hear no one’s objections. Not mine. Not your father’s. I had a dowry, and that was all that mattered at the time.”

James was well aware that his parents’ marriage had been arranged. He hadn’t realized, however, that they had both objected to it. Father had been forced by his father in order to secure money for the estate. James was being pushed into a courtship for the sake of social standing.

Billingsley stepped into the garden. He addressed Mother, as was proper, but spoke loudly enough for James to overhear, which was their established pattern. Visitors and crises and any questions of household management were always seen to by him.

“The Duchess of Kielder,Miss Lancaster, and Miss Artemis Lancaster to see you, my lady,” Billingsley announced.

James’s mind jumped into frantic action at that announcement. Mother, by some miracle, hadn’t lost her composure at the sudden arrivalof the lady she believed had cost her son his happiness.James gaveBen alook meant to warn him to behave before nodding for the butler to show their guests in. He braced himself for the task ahead: keeping his familyfrom making an already difficult situation even more so.

To his surprise, the ladies did not approach him. It seemed they had indeed come to see Mother. No one had called on her in the two weeks she’d been in Town. A visit from the Duchess of Kielder and her sisters would be a boon to anyone’s social standing but particularly so for someone with no cachet to begin with.

“I hope you will not find our unexpected visit an impertinence,” Miss Lancaster said to Mother.“Your health has been in my thoughts these past days. It is not unusual for a complaint of the throat to spread to the lungs as well, especially in the stale London air. Our apothecary here in Town swears by this particular species of mint for treating congestion of thelungs.” She held a small fabric pouch in one hand, a slip of paper in the other.“And I wrote out instructions for preparing a very effective tea.”

James stood closer to the duchess, near enough to send her a questioning look.

She answered quietly.“We called yesterday but were told Lady Techney was indisposed with a touch of congestion in her lungs. Daphne knows a great deal about medicinal herbs and brought a treatment she hopes will help.”

The gesture surprised him, though it should not have. It was hardly the first time Miss Lancaster had offered her help and kindness upon hearing of the troubled state of Mother’s health.

“Thank you,Miss Lancaster,” he said. “That is very thoughtful of you.”

“You are quite welcome.” As if uncomfortable focusing on any one person, himself included, Miss Lancaster’s eyes drifted about, not seeming to look at anything in particular.

What must that be like? James had never been timid. That Miss Lancaster continually participated in Society and managed conversations further elevated James’s opinion of her.

He wished he knew how to set her more at ease.“That is a lovelyshawl.” Ladies usually appreciated when a gentleman admired their attire.

A tiny smile appeared.“It is my sister’s.” She made the admission almost as if expecting him to withdraw the compliment.

“Nonetheless, it looks very fine on you.”

Her trademark blush made a reappearance but was accompanied by an actual smile.“Thank you.”

Miss Lancaster seemed remarkably easy to please—a kind word, a simplecompliment. He liked that about her.

---