Page 27 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke
“Frankenstein,” Victor said, with the ghost of a smile. “Mary Shelley.”
Daphne’s eyebrows shut up in disbelief, “You know of it?”
The book was well-read. The letters on the back had faded otherwise, she would have assumed he had read off the cover. Somebody in the house must have loved it very much.
“It is a popular book, but I do not agree with the use of violence, under any circumstance. Yet, I can concede to the fact that it is unavoidable in some ways.” A darkness crossed his face before he smiled, “However, I understand his hunt for a mate.”
She refused to respond and sidestepped that last sentence. How could he understand something he did not want? In fact, she had trouble reconciling the cold voice that had rejected her that night, with this man in front of her. He confused her. She wondered what that darkness in his eyes meant. He was a duke, overflowing with a swaggering confidence. What could have happened? She did not want to delve deeper, in case that sadness returned to his eyes. This time, she was certain. His nonchalant attitude was a front for something deeper and painful.
“I should go, it will be time for afternoon tea soon and my mother might worry.”
“Why does it feel as though you are running from me?”
Daphne gave a light laugh, “If it is just a feeling, then I might have been more subtle than I intended.”
His chuckle was deep and rich, doing things to Daphne’s insides. She wondered what would have been if she had not overheard him that night. He did not stop her from leaving nor did he say anything. She could feel his eyes boring into her back as she exited the room.
Daphne found her family in another corner of the garden. Her mother was loath to spend tea time inside the house when the weather was perfectly agreeable. Spring had most of the plants in bloom, bathing the garden in colorful, fragrant light.
Melanie and Amelia could hardly contain themselves in their seats. Melanie had long since forgotten her encounter with that family. Her ability to move forward was admirable. Daphne needed to take lessons from her. However, they should not have meddled so much in her life.
“Where have you been?” Amelia started the second her legs touched the chair.
“The library,” Daphne replied as if this guilt-faced sister did not already know that.
“Oh,” Melanie joined in, almost jiggling in her seat, “Did anything interesting happen?”
“Only in my book. The monster is fully conscious and ready to explore the city.”
“Daphne!” her mother chided. “Mind what you say at the table.”
Daphne blinked innocently at her mother. “She asked. Or was that not what you wanted?”
“It…it does sound engaging.”
“Yes…”
Her father finished chomping on a sandwich and reached for a paper. “Have you seen Percy? I hear he has been looking for you.”
Daphne’s heart took a massive dive into her stomach and she lost her appetite. “I have not, Papa. I guess I will see him at the ball tonight.”
“Yes, you better had. You are quite close to losing him. I saw him speaking with some other woman. They appeared comfortable with each other.”
Daphne knew they would probably be too comfortable, considering what she knew about Percy.
“A fine man, that one,” her mother added. “Mingle at the ball. I will not have you arguing with that rake.”
“A duke,” Amelia was quick to correct. “A respectable one. And Daphne would not dare cause trouble again,” her sister warned with steel in her voice.
Her mother harrumphed, looking displeased. “If he will hurt my child then he is nothing but a rake. Unlike Percy. I have never seen a more responsible gentleman.”
Daphne was conflicted. Lady Wallace showed her love in one sentence and ruined it with another. She itched to tell them the truth. But she kept holding back. She knew revealing his secret would not stop with just setting her free of marriage to him. Her mother would ensure that other mamas kept their innocent daughters away from him. God knows she didn’t want that on her conscience even though she wasn’t the cause of his poor decisions. And besides, who would even believe her?
“He will not,” Amelia said fervently. “He is Harry’s friend and you know he is quite cautious with his circle.”
“And when did you join the duke’s bandwagon?” Lady Wallace questioned.
Amelia evaded the question, “I just think we should not generalize. You never know, he might surprise us all. Daphne, do you agree?”
