Page 20 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke
“And she could not respond with a civil tone? Do you not care at all for manners? Need I remind you that he is an established gentleman?”
“He kept bothering her,” Melanie tried to defend Daphne again.
“I do not care if he stands upside down, seeking her attention. Ignore him. I do not want any incidents. Do you understand?”
Daphne nodded once, her lips clamped together. Amelia marched back to the card room. Melanie tugged her hand, “Come on, let me accompany you back.”
“I think I want to lie down,” Daphne interjected.
“Very well, I will accompany you.”
There was an awkward silence as they came out of the main house into the night. Melanie’s hand tightened on hers. “I should not have left you alone with him. I am sorry, I was afraid that mother would see, and…I did not want to ruin anything before her son arrived.”
“I understand,” Daphne said, understanding nothing of the sort. Melanie exhaled, which validated her lie.
Daphne focused on putting one foot in front of the other. She allowed the night air to cool her heated insides. The gas lamps on long poles lit their path toward the house that had been assigned to her family. They shared the large house with two other families, both of whom had no children and were young or new couples.
A couple of guests greeted them on their way, but Daphne did not look up to register their faces.
“If I were in that same situation, I would like His Grace too,” Melanie said as they crossed the threshold.
“I never said I did.”
“It is written all over you. He saved you. You are not wrong to fall for his wiles. You should remember that, no matter what happens.”
Daphne’s lower lip quivered.Melanie.Her steps faltered. She steadied herself and straightened her form, walking as though there was a metal rod stuck up her spine.
“But I do have to remind you that your sister is not entirely wrong. Avoid His Grace, do not let him antagonize you.”
They mounted the stairs. Daphne stiffened and removed her hand from Melanie’s. “I am not letting him do anything, and I did tell you that he means less than nothing to me.”
“If you insist. I have to find someone to take me back to the hall. I do not think I can sleep early.”
“Fine,” Daphne retorted. She stormed to her bedchambers and yanked the door open. She was about to slam it when she recalled Amelia’s helpless face. She closed it gently. Her maid arrived a few minutes later. Daphne was helped out of her clothes and her evening cleansings done. She slid under the sheets and tried to calm her raging thoughts.
The next morning, after breakfast, she saw her sister standing on the verandah at the back of the house. Daphne wanted to find a quiet spot where she could read the book she had found in the library. Amelia gave her an apologetic smile. “I am–” she started and Daphne stopped her. Daphne could not have her sister apologize when she was in the wrong.
She looked down and saw that Amelia held a bunch of flowers. “What are you doing with those?”
“Oh, I wanted to put them up myself.”
“They did not understand the exact distance you wanted?”
Amelia’s lips in a tired, exasperated smile. Around her eyes, there were dark circles. It was not prominent yet, but if she continued to push herself, she would get the fever. It would not be easy to convince Amelia to let go without a good reason as she liked having things done a certain way.
“Here, let me help you. Mother wants you to rest before you have to greet guests at noon.”
“Will you?” Amelia asked, her eyes brightening. She pushed the entire bunch into Daphne’s arms. Daphne barely had time to secure her book and hold the flowers. “I will go now. I do need some sleep.”
Daphne gave her sister a curious glance. “Why am I feeling suspicious?”
Amelia shrugged innocently, “Whatever do you mean, dear sister?”
Daphne’s eyebrows furrowed as she glanced around. There was no one around. Most of the guests had retired to their rooms. Some men were in front, fiddling with their horses and talking amongst themselves. It was the reason why Daphne had come to the back.
Amelia had seen her take the book. “You knew I would come here. You just want me to avoid the duke.”
“No,” Amelia, who had never really been able to lie, squealed in a high tone while shaking her head with emphasis. “Could you? Thank you!” She turned on her heels and walked into the house. Daphne rolled her eyes. Carefully, she went to the divan and allowed the book to slide onto it.
