Page 85 of Romancing Daphne

“There might be any number of assassins inside, Adam.” Daphne’s stomach tied in knots.

“And I mean to see to it that number becomes zero.” He turned to the Duke of Hartley. “Where’s your man Tilburn?”

“Seeking information.” They’d nearly reached the crowd pressing in andout of the entrance to Westminster. “Tilburn!” the duke shouted, waving.

The sudden return of James Tilburn amidst the turmoil of an assassination at Westminster surprisingly didn’t fluster Daphne in the least. She felt more numb than anything else.

“I can’t seem to get a consistent answer to anything, Your Grace.” James addressed his employer. “All anyone can agree on is that Perceval was shot at close range.”

“Tilburn, take Daphne home.” Adam’s words emerged clipped and quick. “Directly to Falstone House. No stops along the way.”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

“And remain there until I arrive,” Adam added. “No matter the proteststhat house full of stubborn women will no doubt make, you stay there.Abandon them and I will scoop your brains from your skull with a ladle.”

“I’ll chain myself to the bannister if need be.” That earned James a briefsmile from the Duke of Hartley but no notable reaction from Adam.

“Daphne, show Tilburn where the carriage is and return home posthaste.”

She nodded her agreement.

“And, James,” the Duke of Hartley jumped in quickly, “have one ofthe Falstone House footmen send word to my wife that I am well but willnot be home until the mess here is sorted.”

“I will, Your Grace.”

“Be safe, Adam,” Daphne said.

“I always am.”

The two dukes strode into the crowd. Daphne summoned the coolhead Adam had long ago taught her to maintain and led the way toward the Kielder carriage. “To Falstone House,” she instructed the coachman as James handed her inside.

Adam never employed anyone who wasn’t the absolute best at whathe or she did. His coachman was no exception. The crush of traffic onthe London streets and the added chaos associated with the news spreading out of Westminster proved not the slightest hindrance. The coach wound at a quick pace down road after road on its way home.

“Your sister does not seem the type to give in to hysterics,” James said,“but do you feel we ought to send for a physician?”

She shook her head. “Persephone is made of stronger stuff than that. We all are.”

Another moment passed in silence. “I truly had not intended to force my company upon you again, Miss Lancaster. If you would prefer, I will keep to the corridor or entryway at Falstone House.”

“As I said, Lord Tilburn, we are made of stronger stuff than that.” Her calm came easily now, as if the well of her emotions had finally run dry. “I won’t be bothered one way or the other.”

Chapter Thirty

As Daphne had predicted, theduchess remained remarkably calm,though concern did touch her features as the evening wore on. Miss Artemis paced about, waving her hands dramatically and, no doubt, making silent predictions of doom. Daphne showed no emotions whatsoever. Jamesdidn’t like it. The neutrality of her expression didn’t fit her in the least.

She sat near the front windows, though she kept her gaze on her sewing. James leaned against the window frame. Daphne did not outwardly acknowledge his presence, though she must have noticed him there.

He had no idea where to begin, how to break through the barrierbetween them. Something had to be said, however mundane and idiotic it might sound.“The tonic you had made for Mother worked wonders,” he said.“She was a vast deal more comfortable when she left for Lancashire.”

“I am pleased to hear it.” Still she kept her gaze elsewhere.

He inched closer.“Ben traveled to Northumberland. He is spending some time with your brother-in-law.”

“Harry told us about your brother’s visit in his last letter. He was quitelooking forward to sharing all he has learned.” She spoke with very little animation, her voice quiet, her tone politely conversational and nothingmore.

James had no intention of giving up. He pressed on with the topic, allthe while searching his mind for subject matter that might draw her from her seclusion.“Mr. Windover will have an eager student in Ben.”

“I hope his time there will prove beneficial.” She actually looked at him. James worked to keep his expression neutral. Instinct told him Daphne wasfar more jumpy than she let on. He feared any overt show of enthusiasm would only push her further away.

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