Page 14 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke
“No. I was simply making conversation. You have to admit that he does stand out in that purple coat.”
Harry’s lips curved up, “He does. A good man, that one. I met him once at the tables. Never lost his temper even when his hands were beaten.”
“Ah,” was all Victor said. It was great. It was splendid that Percy was a good person. It did not make him crave to pour the drink over his head at all.
Victor turned away, too sharply. He stumbled into two girls who came up behind him. A cuss was about to leave his lips when he looked into the freckled, displeased face below his.
A smug smile lifted his lips, “You know, Lady Daphne if you want me, you just have to say the word, instead of stalking behind me.”
Angry nostrils flared as she withdrew her hand from the other girl’s, “You cannot be serious. You just slammed into us and that is the best you can say?”
“Your…Your Grace,” Melanie, if Victor’s memory served him right, stammered.
“You could have stepped aside.”
“You could have watched where you are going!”
Victor met Daphne’s hot stare, a smile still playing on his lips. Until his eyes dropped to her half-open mouth. He caught his breath and averted his gaze. It landed on his mother, who had her head cocked, watching the exchange.
Soon, another woman joined the group, naturally linking her arms with Harry’s. Lady Amelia.
“Your Grace, I trust you find your rooms comfortable?” Lady Amelia asked before she looked at her sister’s face with frustration.
“What happened?” Amelia continued.
“It is nothing, dear. Come, I will…” Harry hurried.
Daphne’s lips were quivering, “Him,” she pointed at Victor. “Why did you invite such a character?”
“Daphne! Oh God, Your Grace, I apologize for my sister. The journey was long, she is tired.” To Daphne, she rebuked, “Daphne! I warned you!”
“He… he is to be my best man,” Harry stammered in answer. “He had to come.”
“It is fine,” Victor quipped.
“How can it be?” Daphne snapped, “You just ruined my dress!”
“Oh no!” Amelia cried, clapping a hand to her mouth. Her face was a mask of horror.
And that was when Victor glanced down at the said dress. He realized that the glass of wine he had been drinking now painted the lower part of the dress red. He had not noticed because he had been too busy staring at her mouth.
Before he could work up an apology, she said, “I cannot believe you are so inconsiderate.” She swung around and left with her head high.
By his side, Harry emitted a tired sigh. “This will be a long week indeed.”
Victor glanced at him. Harry continued in a comical mournful tone, “You could simply make it better by proposing to her, my friend. It is your job as my best man.”
Victor abandoned him to find food, although his heart was heavy with guilt.
ChapterFour
“We are to have dinner in a few minutes. You are not to cause any trouble. Sit there, eat your food, and make polite conversation. Do you understand?” Lady Wallace warned Daphne.
“Yes, Mother,” Daphne replied meekly.
She was just the tiniest bit embarrassed by her reaction to Victor. The man’s presence alone was infuriating. He had the audacity to attend her sister’s wedding and antagonize her.
Lady Wallace said, “Daphne? You are biting your lips again. If you do anything unseemly at the table, I will personally have you bundled back home.”
