Chapter Seven #2
“Where is Lady Daphne? Did she accompany her parents and intended?”
“Yes, and her mother won’t let her out of her sights. So wherever her mother is, you’ll find Lady Daphne.”
Arthur stood and looked on in disbelief as though someone had cut a knife through his heart.
His eyes wandered through the room as people were beginning to gather for dinner.
Lady Daphne and her mother approached the men.
The earl appeared delighted with his future countess and Lady Daphne had a scowl on her face that read displeasure.
“Are you ready? Graham’s on his way.”
He went and picked out many choices. Roxanne had outdone herself with the variety of food. As he left in search of a table, he was held up by a couple of gentlemen wanting his opinion on an estate matter. When he excused himself, he found a table which was smaller than the others.
As he was heading in that direction, a very familiar voice called out to him.
“Your Grace, would you care to dine with us?” He looked down and saw Lady Daphne sitting at a round table with her family and the earl.
She was pleading with him through her eyes.
She wanted to be saved, and something told him he needed to help her.
“I’m sure His Grace has other guests to see,” her father said sternly.
“No, no. I’d love to join you. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Andover.”
“It has,” the viscount replied.
Arthur sat in the spare chair while a footman poured a glass of wine. He gazed about the table and saw Lady Daphne keeping her eyes on her plate. The mood with everyone else seemed to be forced, making him wonder if he’d interrupted a private conversation that Lady Daphne wanted no part of.
“Lady Daphne, how is Sam doing these days? Still talking?”
“How do you know about that blasted parrot?” Andover asked.
Her eyes were pleading with him, and he wasn’t going to embarrass her. “One of your horses seemed to prefer our meadow, and one morning I managed to catch him and take him home. I was waiting for Lady Daphne to tell her what the gray was doing, and Sam greeted me.”
“That was very kind of you to do, Your Grace,” the viscountess said.
“I was also able to find a hole in one of my walls I had no knowledge of, so the gray ended up being useful.”
“Everything turned out for the best,” Andover said.
“Indeed,” Arthur replied.
Spearing a piece of Scottish salmon, Arthur was interrupted by the earl. “Your father and I went to university together. We never saw much of each other after university. He went to the continent for his grand tour and I went to America, where I stayed a good number of years.”
“Your father didn’t mind you staying on?”
“His brother owned a thriving import business, so my father looked at it as a good opportunity to expand my knowledge of businesses. One day I would take the earldom, and when I did, I would be more well-rounded.”
“Your father seems like he was a very bright man,” Andover said.
“I’d like to think so.” The earl looked across the table at him. “I understand you’re looking for your duchess, Your Grace? I am seeking a woman to be my new countess.”
“I keep an open mind. I feel I’ll know her when I meet her. You said new countess?”
“Yes, yes, my Margaret died two years ago. I met her in New York and we moved back here. Unfortunately, during the voyage she succumbed to some sort of ailment she picked up on the ship and never made it to England.”
“My condolences,” Arthur murmured.
Dinner conversation continued. The viscount and viscountess kept him entertained while the earl blatantly attempted to carry on a personal conversation with Lady Daphne, who looked incredibly bored.
Why shouldn’t she? The man was at least old enough to be her grandfather or older father, and they had little in common.
The situation reminded him of what their father had done to Roxanne.
Arranging a marriage for her to an older man whose only interest in her was for her to produce children for him.
Lady Daphne was too good for that sort of situation.
Feeling a hand squeezing his shoulder, Arthur looked up and saw Graham standing there. He’d come to the rescue. “I hope you don’t mind, but I need my brother-in-law’s expertise with some of the men’s games.”
“Not at all,” Andover replied. “I understand billiards is going to be played.”
“You heard correctly.”
Lady Daphne’s head rose. “Billiards? How wonderful! I love billiards.”
The earl placed his hand on her arm, garnering a dark look from Lady Daphne. “Billiards is not for young ladies, my dear. I imagine you’ll be playing whist or some other card game.”
Suddenly, she stood. “If everyone will excuse me. I find myself in need of some air.”
Arthur stood. “Lady Daphne.”
He watched her flee to the other side of the room where she slid through the open door and onto the terrace.
Hopefully she’d get her reprieve from her overbearing family.
Knowing Graham was standing there waiting for him, he left the three at the table to go help Graham with whatever he couldn’t do on his own.
“Roxanne mentioned she understood Lady Daphne’s parents were looking to marry her to the Earl of Bath. That he would be able to tame her. Sounds like what Roxanne went through.”
“She said as much earlier. He’ll ruin the girl’s spirit.”
Arthur and Graham were about to the ballroom door when something made Arthur look back.
When he did, he saw the Earl of Bath hurrying to the door leading to the terrace.
The earl was obviously going to try and engage in conversation with Lady Daphne in hopes to convince her to marry him.
Something in his gut told him otherwise.
“I’ll catch up with you shortly. There’s something needing my attention.”
He turned and headed to the terrace before Graham could utter a word. While on his way, he acknowledged people who spoke to him, but didn’t stop. He had to get to her before the earl tried to do something despicable.
When he walked out on the terrace, he could see the Earl of Bath sternly speaking to her.
Lady Daphne seemed to be trying to distance herself from him, but he wasn’t allowing it.
His hand grabbed her upper arm and began to try and force her towards the stairs leading to the gardens.
She was having none of it, and Arthur heard her tell him she did not wish to walk in the gardens with him.
Arthur approached. “I believe the lady said she didn’t wish to go to the gardens.”
“This is none of your affair, Your Grace. The chit is to become my wife as soon as the arrangements can be made.”
Lady Daphne pulled against his arm. “There’s no way in hell I’ll ever marry you,” she hissed.
“I think the lady has made her opinion on the matter known. I suggest you unhand her. Now.”
Reluctantly, Bath let loose of his hold on her arm. Immediately, Lady Daphne headed to the stairs leading into the gardens as quickly as she could, leaving him to deal with the earl.
Black looked in the direction of the stairs. “I need to go after her.”
“You’ll do no such thing. She made it quite clear she didn’t wish to be around you. Might I suggest you let her have some time to herself.”
“Yes, of course. I can always show her the error of her ways another time. I think I’ll head inside for a brandy.” He gave Arthur a dark look, showing Arthur his disdain for him having interrupted his plan before he walked back to the house.
Standing and looking down into the gardens, Arthur quietly waited. He peered down at the door to see if Black was lurking, waiting for him to leave so he could come and pursue his game. Looking in the direction of the stairs, he made his decision and headed down into the gardens.
He walked the path looking for Lady Daphne. Finally, he found her sitting on a bench. She’d been crying, her eyes red, and she was sniffling. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a square and passed it to her.
“Thank you.”
“You really don’t wish to marry him?”
“He’s an old toad. I can’t believe my father would consider someone like him.”
“You knew nothing about this arrangement?”
She shook her head. “No, nothing until my parents returned with the earl in tow.”
“I’m afraid he’s going to ruin you to ensure the marriage since you’ve voiced your distaste for him.”
“I think the same thing,” she replied.
Arthur took in a deep breath. “Is there anyone you could go stay with? Someone your parents wouldn’t think to look? A girlfriend, perhaps?”
“No one comes to mind, Your Grace.”
“Arthur,” he said. “I think we know each other well enough you can address me by my name. May I call you Daphne?”
“Yes, I would like that, Your Grace… um, Arthur.” She gave him a coy smile.
“If I go back inside, my father will be angry. When we arrive home, I’m sure he’ll lock me and Sam in my room until I agree to this arranged marriage.”
He glanced at her before speaking. “Lady Roxanne, my sister’s first marriage was similar to what your father is wanting to do with you.
She was miserable up until he died. Her husband sent her to one of his lesser estates after their son was born with problems. It’s not something I wish to see you forced to endure. ”
“That’s awful for her. I refuse to be forced, I’m just not sure what to do.”
He rose and extended his hand. “Come, let’s walk.” She tucked her hand into the crook of his arm as they walked. He had to command his feelings to stay at bay. If he didn’t, he would find himself doing things he was saving her from.
Finally, he did stop. She gazed up at him. Arthur finally lowered his head and kissed her gently. She’d been through enough; he didn’t want to scare her off. She responded to his kiss which was more than he could have hoped for.
“I do have a proposal that would send the earl packing.”
“What?”
“We marry. I have a cousin who is vicar of a parish. He could help me procure a special license and marry us.”
“But we barely like each other,” she said with an odd smile.
Arthur smiled at her. “I’m sure we’ll grow to love and respect each other as time goes on.”
“I’m sorry, Your Grace… Arthur, while your offer sounds tempting, I’m afraid I have to decline.”
Dumbfounded, he quickly regained his senses. “Why? You seemed to enjoy our kiss.”
“Yes, it was nice, but I want to marry someone on my terms. No arranged marriage, no pity marriage. I want to choose my husband.”
“I see. You are aware that if you return to the house, your father will take matters in hand, and you will probably find yourself locked in your room until your marriage to the earl.”
She arched her brow. “My father can try to lock me in my room, but he won’t succeed.”
“You’re playing with fire, Daphne.”
“I’ll be fine. You’ll see.”
“Very well. In that case, I think you should return by yourself. I’ll follow shortly. That way there’ll be no thought that anything occurred.”
She nodded and stood on her toes, kissing him on the cheek. “You’re a wonderful man, Arthur. I’m sure you will find your duchess soon.”
Arthur grunted and watched as she walked away from him and towards the stair leading to the terrace. He knew if he sat back and did nothing, she would be wed to the earl. He needed to come up with a plan before this happened.