Page 23 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke
“What happened to you?” Amelia asked, frowning at Daphne.
Daphne pointed at Melanie, “Can we listen to her first?”
Amelia shook her head. “Lord Wilberforce. He heard Melanie’s family is not wealthy so he refused to meet with her.”
“What? That is preposterous!” Daphne exclaimed.
Melanie threw her head back and wailed even louder.
“It is. You just missed his mother. She pretended to be apologetic about her ‘mistake’ but we all know she is not in the least bit sorry.”
Melanie opened her mouth and Lady Wallace slapped a sandwich into it. “Eat. You will feel better. There are lots of families with eligible bachelors, and he was not the last. I promise.”
“Oh Melanie, I am sorry. Mother is right. I will help you. We will help each other. You know, if she noticed you, and wanted you for her son, it means there are others who also find you attractive.”
Wet eyes blinked at Daphne, “Re-really?”
“Absolutely! Right, Amelia?”
Amelia bobbed her head, “Yes! The other night, I definitely heard them asking about you. Some stared too. Definitely!”
Melanie dried her eyes on the handkerchief, her shoulders still quivering. “All right, all right,” her voice came out small and hurt. Daphne’s heart broke for her. She hugged Melanie for a while, then took the empty seat opposite Amelia.
“You,” Amelia pointed at Daphne with her teacup. “Were you stung by a bee?”
An excuse! Daphne clung to it with both hands without thinking.
“Yes! I swatted it out before it could really hurt me!”
Lady Wallace and Melanie stared at her, their heads cocked to the side. Her father lowered the paper and stared.
Amelia set down the teacup on the table. “Daphne, dear?”
Daphne picked up a sandwich and chewed off an edge, very conspicuously avoiding her sister’s prying eyes, “Mmhmm?”
“Your lips are smooth.”
Daphne sucked her lips in, pretending to chew, “Oh…I…yes, not…The bee did not have that much time…to ah…leave a sting.”
Melanie hid her lips behind her palm, Daphne was almost sure she was laughing. She covered her face with a napkin with a groan.
“Please leave it alone,” her muffled voice came.
Of course, her family did not leave it alone.
* * *
“He loves her,” Harry said. “I have never seen Victorthatbesotted with a woman before, I can tell you, surely.”
Amelia paced Harry’s study, tapping her fingers on her lips, “And I am certain she feels something for him too. I mean, it would explain everything! All of it!”
“Their bickering,” Harry said with exasperation.
“The fights, oh God! My sister is always calm, she is the most level-headed person I know, and suddenly, she is picking these inappropriate fights with him. Do you know when they met? Why did you not tell me?”
“Kensington swore me to secrecy. He insists that I am delusional. I thought it was true until I saw them interact. He has partaken in some crazy things, but never has he lost his decorum before theton. As a matter of fact, he has been trying to clear his reputation as a rake, since he took his title.”
“Oh, that is bad; he is bad for her.”
