Page 6 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke
Daphne picked up her skirts and moved faster between the flowered bushes. Male voices filtered to her and she came to a slow stop. One was instantly familiar. How could she forget the powerful voice of her savior?
“I said, stop it!” Victor groused. Something in his tone made Daphne stop. She slid behind one of the hedges and listened.
“Honestly, if I knew you would be so testy in love, I would never have recommended it,” another man said in a light tone, followed by a chuckle. It was Harry. Her sister’s betrothed. They were friends?
They had been together for most of the night; Daphne assumed Harry was paying his respects to the duke, as were others. They were close enough to share personal details. A surprise.
“I do not love her!” Victor exploded.
“Keep your voice down!”
“How the hell do you think a random kiss one night would make me fall for a woman? Me. When have you ever seen me fall for their wiles?”
Daphne’s body ran cold. She held her dress in a death grip.
“And even if I were to love, why the hell would it be one as innocent and precious as that girl? I do not know about you, but I have needs that can only be satiated through experience. A cloying virgin is the least of my requirements. Understand?”
“Victor,” Harry called softly.
From her spot, Daphne wiped angry tears from her face. Her teeth clattered against each other as shudders wracked her body.
“If you had not invited me to this hellhole of a ball, I would not have remembered her existence at all. You think I would spend four years of my travels immersed with one woman? Yet, you claim to know me well.”
“So, your decision stands.”
“It does. I have never wanted to be married. This title dies with me. Honestly, the sooner I get rid of it, the better for everyone else.”
Daphne walked backward and stepped on a glassy ornament. It shattered under her feet, echoing into the night. The voices paused.
She ran toward the back of the building, seeking to take comfort in the darkness. She braced her back on the wall and wiped her tears. Daphne took a deep breath, steadying herself. She heard a sudden sound from the back and hurried toward the entrance.
Melanie had managed to get rid of Daphne’s mother and was waiting for Daphne, almost bubbling out of her skin with excitement.
“What did he say…? Did he kiss you?”
Daphne’s lips curled downwards. Behind her eyes, tears prickled. But she wouldn’t cry; she wouldn’t give that tohim. She blinked a great many times to hold them back. She folded her arms and looked out at the crowd, seeing nothing and no one.
“Oh no,” Melanie said softly, deflating. She slid her hand through Daphne’s elbow and laid her head on her cousin’s shoulders. “I am sorry for pointing him out to you.”
“No,” Daphne said, shaking her head. “I had to see that. It is better than to have my head in the clouds.”
“How bad was it?”
Daphne opened her mouth as rage surged through her. “He is a swine, that is all. A cold, heartless swine. And I should never entangle with him. The worst kind of rake… I regret it so much. I wish it had never happened.”
“I will not tell anyone about it.”
“We should leave before they return. Where is Mother?”
“I will call her. Wait here.”
Daphne gave a dull nod. Nothing appealed to her anymore. Her heart was heavy, like a rock had taken its place. It was her own foolish fault.
* * *
On his way out of the ball, Victor met a lady on the steps. She stopped, shot a vicious glance at him, and hissed. She swept up her skirts and ran toward her family’s carriage. They had their backs turned so he could not determine their identities.
“Odd,” he muttered. Generally, the women around here loved him. A little too much, if he was being honest.
