Page 39 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke
A forlorn Amelia had returned to Daphne. “Sister, this is entirely your decision now. If you truly love him then continue to convince them. I foresee that his station and rank will ultimately tilt him in their favor.”
Daphne had pressed her lips shut. If Amelia discovered the debacle was for nothing and that Victor did not possess an ounce of feeling for her…
She distracted her sister by inquiring about the upcoming ceremony.
Daphne had asked if there was anything she could do to ease her exhaustion, Amelia said, “Just worry about yourself and our parents. I want you to be happy, too.”
In the grounds now, Melanie sidled up to her and hooked her arm through Daphne’s, resting her head on Daphne’s shoulder.
“How are you?”
Daphne glanced at her parents. Both were immersed in the preparations below. She sighed and crossed her arms, “As well as I can be.”
“I sensed a bit of tension between your parents and him. Do you think he suspects that they do not approve?”
“Oh, so it was not in my head.”
“Oh no, it was strained all right. Did you notice he only called for Mr. Farton, forgetting his friend?”
Daphne suddenly turned to her cousin, inadvertently dislodging her head and hat. “Sorry…” she bent and retrieved it then placed it back on her head.
“Do tell me how your conversation with Mr. Farton went.”
Melanie scoffed, “He was delightful, if a little forgetful.”
“What do you mean?”
“Where is Amelia going?”
Daphne looked ahead and saw her sister winding past the shooters. “She has been calm lately. Perhaps she has recalled some missing details. What do you mean, forgetful?”
“He calls me several female names. Grace, Mary…whichever occurs to him first.”
Daphne chuckled, “I am sorry, I should not laugh but that is just ludicrous. You never know a person fully. Have all the men become rakes?”
“It is appalling. Shall we get drinks? I am positively parched.”
“Wait! It is starting.”
Harry mounted an elevated podium with Amelia by his side, “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for honoring my invitation. I welcome you to this wonderful day. We are ready to begin. I will take the first shot, after which the beat keeper will release the first set! Good luck gentlemen!”
“Hear! Hear!”
Daphne craned her neck to see where Victor and Percy were stationed. This development between them was unforeseen. Marriage prospects could truly bring forth another side of a man. Otherwise, playful Percy would not utter a bad word to a man above him. Nor would he openly seek confrontation the way he had been doing for the last few days.
The same Percy who wailed at the sight of a frog and would take the blame for another’s wrong simply because he was afraid to cause upset. This person was being hostile to a duke. Daphne would have been flattered, had she not known of his true intentions.
Both men had two others separating them. Victor was focused on checking his weapon and adjusting his posture. His back was straight and his legs apart, an image of arrogance, or confidence, depending on how one chose to view it. Percy’s arms hung loosely at his sides. He stole intermittent glances at Victor. She could not tell given the distance, but it did seem as though a frown marred his features.
Off to the far right, over the sparkling emerald fields, beat keepers called out an alert to the shooters and then held the doors to the cages open.
“I cannot look!” Melanie squealed, hiding her face in Daphne’s shoulder.
Shots reverberated across the grounds. Several birds splattered to the earth. The men congratulated each other, clapping themselves on the back and tipping their hats.
Victor neither moved nor acknowledged anyone. At least seven out of the birds were unfortunate at his hands. She had kept count and even noticed that other men tried to get closer to him.
After each round, the shooters were supposed to switch positions. This was because they felt some parts of the grounds were elevated or more balanced, offering a wider aim and more conquests. Victor did as he was expected and now, he was beside Percy.
