Page 17 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke
“If you are referring to Percy, you are not half the man he is.”
He flinched and satisfaction flooded Daphne. Smiling, she reached for a ladle and started to fill her bowl.
Victor murmured, “Thank God. Those coats alone are hazardous. Imagine if there were two of him.”
“Oh, you are right. You are a horrible category all on your own.”
“You wound me, Lady Daphne.”
“Good, maybe the pain will make you a better person.”
“Oh, let us not go that far. Great kings come from rotten backgrounds. I have all the makings, it appears.”
“You will mutilate history just to make a point.”
That fork twirled as he drawled, “I can give you a multitude of examples.”
“None of that matters, Your Grace. I would appreciate it if you stopped speaking to me.”
Daphne focused on putting one spoonful after another in her mouth. Five, ten minutes passed, and he did not speak a word. She forced back the guilt rearing its head. He deserved it, for acting like it was all right.
She watched the minute hand on the clock make another round.
“Do I repel you, my lady?” he asked quietly.
Daphne did not know when she let out a hushed breath. “What do you think?”
He chuckled, “You are a little delight.”
“You little…” Daphne’s sister glared. Daphne swallowed her words.
“Uh… Daphne, your mother says you should remember her words,” Melanie cautioned.
Their heated whispered words had managed to attract the attention of the guests, without Daphne’s notice. Percy’s eyes danced between her and the duke. She renewed her vow to stay silent, no matter what he did or said.
A few minutes ago, she had fallen for his sunken demeanor and that repelling question. The food disappeared quickly to the tired guest’s stomachs. Daphne allowed Melanie to lead her to the drawing room.
There were several tables arranged around the large room. Usually, the women would retreat to another room, leaving the men to smoke and play cards. Harry would not have it. The cards on the table were for all of them. Daphne settled on one of the tables, glad that there were no names this time.
If Victor had any dignity, he would not attempt to sit by her again. That trail of thought hardly dissolved when Victor sauntered in. He stood by the door and scanned the room. His form was imposing, his stature hardly unnoticeable.
Naturally, people gravitated toward him. There was no smile, or that annoying glint in his eyes. It was curious. Daphne felt like he was a different person. He accepted their greeting with a cold detachment. This side of Victor was intimidating. This was the man who had saved her from that pervert.
“I think I understand now why you made that choice,” Melanie said beside her. Daphne looked at her cousin.
“Please do not speak of him.”
Melanie cleared her throat, with a big smile, “I meant your dress. I understand why you chose it.” Daphne made a snickering sound.
She snuck a glance at the door again. Victor was gone. She swung her head around, to search the room.
“Looking for me?” Victor asked in front of her.
Daphne turned, a blush furiously filling her cheeks. “How do you always manage to show up where you are least wanted?”
He took the chair beside her. That stupid smirk was back on his face. He grabbed a pile of cards. “Let’s play.”
“And if I win, you never show your face around me again.”
