Page 44 of Romancing Daphne

“I told you my sister cheats.”

He had not been expecting that reply.

Miss Lancaster shook her head.“No doubt she found some means of summoning her four-legged accomplice at the most opportune moment.”

James rose, watching her in confusion. He tried to nudge the puppy away when it began snapping at the tassel on his left boot. That was all she had come over to say to him? No complaints? No demands?“You are not too disappointed about the game?”

She laid her hand lightly on his arm and once more offered her unaffected smile.“It is only a game. There is no real harm done.”

“A level head in a crisis.” James tossed the kitty back onto the lawn and wiped the puppy slobber off his hand with his handkerchief.“That is a pleasant change.”

“Would a disrupted game of bowls generally be considered a crisis?” she asked.

He looked over at Mother still clutching her hands together in anticipation of something catastrophic. She could be very difficult when distraught.“In this house, everything is a crisis.”

“And you are always expected to rescue the others?” Miss Lancaster asked.

That was more insightful than expected. He had a feeling a response was not at all necessary.

“Might I make a suggestion?” she asked.

Shewanted to addresshisproblem? James nodded, as curious as he was surprised.

“Allow your brother to sort out the mess this time.”

He couldn’t simply walk away.“This little scamp has quite upset things.” As if to further prove his mischievous nature, the puppy continued nippingat James’s tassels.

Miss Lancaster motioned toward the end of the bowling green where Ben had already gathered the scattered bowls and seemed to be setting up another game.“Mr. Tilburn appears capable enough.”

“I should make good my escape, then?” The prospect was tempting.

Miss Lancaster nodded.“Allowing someone else to take on the responsibilities you usually undertake would probably be good for all concerned.”

James had never walked away from a family difficulty, little or great. To leave the others to address a problem felt uncomfortably foreign. Yet Miss Lancaster watched him with patient anticipation.

The situation was not in the least dire. He might allow himself to see to his own amusement for just a moment. Surely that was not asking too much.

“I, for one,” he said,“would very much like to know how this muttwill react to the sight of a shuttlecock.” James felt remarkably light as he escorted Miss Lancaster to the basket of lawn games. There was somethingto be said for a smile he hadn’t been required to earn.

Chapter Sixteen

Being social was exhausting. Daphnehad talked and interacted with more people in the last few days than she generally did over the course of a month. The undertaking made her ever more grateful for those days when she had the pleasure of Adam’s quiet company.

Today’s afternoon appointment, however, was coming to an end. Adam had risen from his armchair.

“I do not know that Persephone will permit me to miss calls tomorrow,” Daphne said.

“I will not be in London tomorrow.” He set the book he’d been reading on his desk.

“You are traveling?”

He nodded, his expression less than enthusiastic.“I am for Shropshire,within the hour, in fact.”

Daphne’s heart froze on the instant.“Has something happened to Father?” His health had steadily declined during the years she and her sisters had lived with Adam and Persephone.

“His caretaker informs me his mental state has deteriorated further. I thought it best to see for myself how the land lies so I can give your brother a thorough explanation when he makes port.”

Daphne nodded at the wisdom of that, though the timing struck her as decidedly convenient for a gentleman who despised London during the Season.“And you will miss a significant portion of the social whirl.” Shegave him a knowing look.“I am certain you are heartbroken about that.”

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