Page 8 of Romancing Daphne

Adam drew their guest over to her.“Daphne, may I make known to you Lord Tilburn of Techney Manor in Lancashire.”

She managed to keep her calm long enough to execute a creditable curtsy.Good heavens. James Tilburn.If she’d known he was expected, she might have chosen a prettier gown or had her maid spend a few extra moments on her hair. She knew, though, that had she been privy to Adam’s plan, she likelywould have called upon every imaginable excuse to avoid the encounter.Dreaming of his presence was not nearly as unnerving as being with him.

James Tilburn offered a very correct bow.“I believe I may have met Miss Lancaster in your company on a previous occasion or two.”

His words surprised her. Did he in fact remember their meeting at Gunther’s toward the end of the previous Season? Very few words had been exchanged, but he had inquired after her enjoyment of the various diversions London offered and had expressed his pleasure at hearing she had spent an enjoyable few weeks in Town. He had seenher, despite the presence of her graceful older sister and her beautiful younger sister, just as he had on the terrace years earlier.

“Tea, Lord Tilburn?” Persephone asked, smoothly guiding him to a seat near the recently replenished tray of offerings.

Daphne glanced at Adam. He stepped close enough for a whispered exchange.“If you faint, I will publicly and irrevocably disown you.”

“Adam, how could you do this without telling me?” She kept her voice low enough to avoid being overheard.

“And give you a chance to run away?” Adam executed the slightestlift of one eyebrow.“I know you well enough to realize this frightens you.However, I expect you to summon the courage to grasp this opportunity.”

“Opportunity?” Just how much of her feelings did Adam understand?A horrible thought occurred to her.“You didn’t force him to come, did you?”

“No. I simply issued an invitation.” He looked at her, his expression stern but kind.“But I will force you over there. I have endured an hour and a half of worthless prattle waiting for this, all for your benefit, and I do not intend to waste my sacrifice.”

“Did you ‘invite’ him to do more than merely call on us?” Her stomach dropped at the possibility.

“One call, Daphne. One afternoon’s tea. I suggested nothing beyond.”

The relief she felt was quickly mired by an unexpected sense of strain. He had come for this one single visit. If he enjoyed the visit even the smallest bit, perhaps he would return. If not, however, this might very well be her only opportunity to enjoy his company.

“What if I fall apart?” She had not yet calmed from the initial sight of James Tilburn standing in her home.

“I suggest you don’t, as I refuse to piece you back together.”

Had he any idea how close she was in that moment to simply crumbling?“He does not seem the type of gentleman in whose presence I need to feel nervous.” She spoke as much to herself as to Adam.

“I would not have invited the whelp if I’d thought otherwise. Still, I will shoot him dead if he tries anything untoward or ungentlemanly.” With that declaration, Adam returned to his isolated chair.

“You promised Persephone you wouldn’t shoot anyone.”

“I’ll run him through, then. That would be more satisfying anyway.” Adam shooed her away.

Doing her best to appear poised, Daphne retook the seat she had occupied all afternoon.

“Lancashire is a lovely county,” Persephone was saying.“We have passed through many times on our way to Shropshire.”

“I am rather partial to Lancashire myself,” their guest said.“I have lived there my entire life.”

Daphne covertly watched him, remembering once more the first timeshe’d seen him and how struck she’d been by him. He would not elicitsighs and swoons from all the ladies, perhaps, but no one could honestly say that he was not handsome. And there was a kindness in his face she had always appreciated.

“You must miss home when you are in Town for the Season.”Persephone’s conversational skills far surpassed Daphne’s. She had a knack for putting her guests at ease.

“There is a lot I miss about home.” He smiled fondly.

For the briefest moment, his gaze met Daphne’s. A shiver slid through her at the unexpected connection.

She summoned what courage she could, pulling forth the rote phrasesshe’d learned to summon when called upon to speak to someone whomade her nervous.“How pleased we are to have you call on us.”

His eyes darted about the room a moment, no longer looking at her.“I am afraid I do not make many social calls, something I am trying to be better about.” He spoke in a voice of distraction, looking around once more at the conspicuously empty room.

Was that the reason for his continued discomfort? Her lack of callers?Quite a few people had come and gone during the first part of the at-home. Were she a great beauty or more at ease in Society, the house mighthave been overflowing with callers for the entire two hours. Heat spreadslowly over her face, something he likely couldn’t help but notice.

“I believe a great many gentlemen take quite the opposite approach to yours,” Persephone said, handing him a cup of hot tea.“Rather than decide to makemoresocial calls, they do their utmost to make far fewer.”

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