Page 98 of Romancing Daphne

“You did?” Her amazement rendered the question almost breathless.

He nodded.“I never learned your name or your exact connection to His Grace. None of the duchess’s sisters appeared to be the right age. I assumed that little girl was a distant cousin and never did inquire further.” The confession brought a crease of worry to his brow.“The only excuse I can make for myself is that I was young and still a little too flighty and preoccupied with my own worries. But I told Ben of a little girl who reminded me of a determined little sparrow who sought her freedom even in the face of oppression.”

Daphne’s breath caught in her lungs.Little Sparrow.How she had longed to hear him say that again.

He shifted beside her. Daphne’s gaze remained glued to him. Was he leaving?

James stepped in front of her and brushed his hand along her cheek. Daphne very nearly held her breath, the touch unexpected and pleasantly unsettling.

“All these years,” James said, still standing near her but no longer touching her face.“I’ve wondered what happened to that little girl. I ought to have realized. You have the same brown eyes. More to the point, you have the same bravery—something both my brother and I envied in that quiet child.”

“I have never been very brave,” Daphne said. Had not Adam told herhimself she had acted unforgivably fainthearted?

James took her face in his hands.“You taught me how to be courageous, both then and now.” A curious trembling began in her middle at the feel of his hands on her face. His words somehow penetrated her increasingly fuzzy thoughts.“And you have shown me how to be kind, how to care for my family without being taken advantage of. You have shown me what it means to be good and worthy. Though I most certainly do not deserve your regard, Iintend to try to win it.”

“You did not actually want my regard but were forced into pursuing it.” It pained her to bring the topic up once more, but she was so confused. She had no idea what to think or believe.

“As I was reminded recently, Apollo was a thick-witted buffoon.” His hands slipped from her face to her shoulders, though his eyes didn’t leave hers. “HisDaphne never did know the sincerity of his regard, but I am determined thatmyDaphne will.”

Her breath caught, the unexpelled air pulsing in rhythm with her pounding heart. “YourDaphne?”

“The duke would likely chain me up in the attics for being so presumptuous.” He made as if to pull away.

Daphne took hold of the sleeve of his frock coat. “YourDaphne?”

He stepped in close once more, his voice low and intimate. “I mean to do all I can, dearest Daphne, to prove myself worthy of being yours and of calling you mine.”

Fear warred with hope. “You are asking a lot of me, James,” she whispered.

A sigh of relief escaped his lips. “You called me James.”

She bit down a smile. “Have you missed that?”

“I have missedyou.”

“I am here now,” she said.

She heard his thick swallow, then his shaky breath. “Daphne.” Her name was a plea on his lips. “Tell me I am to have another chance.”

“I do not trust easily,” she warned.

He nodded. “And you have ample reason to doubt me.” He looked so worried, so heartbroken.

She reached out and touched his forlorn face. “But you are also giving me reason to believe, however tentatively.”

He closed his eyes. His shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath. “I will not squander this opportunity,” he vowed.

“Neither will I.” An unexpected surge of bravery overtook her. She rose on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. His arms wrapped around her on the instant. His hands splayed on her back, holding her close to him. She turned her head the tiniest bit, facing him directly. A scant breath separated them.

He bent slowly toward her. All thoughts fled but one: James Tilburn was going to kiss her.

The lightest touch of his lips on hers sent her pulse racing. She clung to him, not wanting the moment to end.

But she heard the front door open just out of sight of where they stood. James must have noticed the sound as well. He stepped away from her a bit.

Very purposeful footfalls preceded the arrival of both Adam and Linus, neither looking particularly pleased.

Adam’s gaze settled on James.“Tilburn.”

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