Chapter 2 #2
“Nobody will be informed where she has gone, aside from the lot of us here.” Wilhelmina tacked on that extra tidbit, as if she thought additional information would be necessary to fully secure Daniel’s good opinion of the plan.
“It is settled, then,” Daniel said, finally stopping his pacing. His eyes were on Daphne, as if gauging her true feelings about the situation. “You must begin packing at once. The sooner you leave London, the safer you will be.”
Daphne swallowed. Her throat had become dry and tight.
Almost painful. Tears were beginning to form, but she took deep breaths.
It was one of those moments when she had to be brave and prove to the rest of her family that she was capable of being stern and solid.
Gone would be the girl with pastels and daydreams.
Her family had endured a great deal of turmoil in their shared past. She regretted adding to their troubles, but hoped their resilience would help them find peace after suffering under a harsh man.
It was unsettling to look around at all their faces and know that this time tomorrow, she would be separated from them.
Because of Lord Briarwood, she must take this moment to look upon her siblings and dearest companions one last time.
That thought tinged her next words with melancholy.
“I am so sorry, everyone,” she whispered. “I—I didn’t mean to put you under such duress. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we’d be at the mercy of a man such as Briarwood.”
“You didn’t cause this,” Marianne reminded her. “Briarwood did. We are just unfortunate to have met a man like him.”
“You have done nothing wrong. You… we… are forced to react to this dreadful situation by taking calculated measures of our own. Your safety is our main concern,” Dominic reassured her, his voice deep and soothing, reminding her that she had gained three other older brothers aside from Daniel.
“He will nae touch a hair from yer golden head, lass,” Alasdair promised.
Daphne remembered how Society had once whispered that he was uncivilized.
The ladies especially had called him a terrible man.
In truth, he was nothing like Briarwood.
Elizabeth’s Scottish husband was hulking, and he tended to tower over most everyone else, yes, but he was gentle.
Alasdair was a man whose size was matched by his kindness.
“You are not alone, Daphne,” Elizabeth said softly.
Guilt writhed within her. She could not help it, even as she reminded herself that she didn’t do anything to warrant such attention from the Earl of Briarwood.
Later, Daphne was left alone with her twin in her bedchamber as she began folding gowns into her trunk. She could no longer wait. Her body was a mass of pure coiled tension.
She needed something to do. Right now.
“This is absolutely horrid,” Victoria complained, flinging her body onto the bed. “We’ve never been apart, Daphne. Not once. I won’t survive this separation.”
“It won’t be forever, Vicky,” Daphne reassured her twin—and herself. Who really knew how long or how intensely Briarwood’s obsession would last? “Briarwood simply needs to get tired of this game.”
“Ah,” Victoria snorted. “Briarwood will find a new victim. When he decides to corner some other young lady, you can return to Society. Then, hopefully, you will be able to snag the attention of an honorable man—one who does not leer at you from across the room and…” Her words trailed away as her shoulders shuddered.
“Oh, I do wish that Lord Briarwood was the one to leave. I imagine I’m not the only person who would prefer it if he were no longer a member of polite Society.
Polite is not even close to what he is. The word must mean very little to a man like him. ”
“You make it seem as if I am abandoning you, Vicky,” Daphne teased, even as a knot of despair formed in her chest.
Victoria was right. They had never been apart. She had never entertained the possibility of it ever happening.
“You are,” Victoria said, with a small, sad smile. “Even though I see the prudence in your departure, I cannot help but feel as if you are flitting away into the countryside, while I must remain here with Daniel and Mama.”
“Ah. Now, I’m fully understanding. I will be leaving you to Mother’s fussing,” Daphne remarked. The wry thought twisted her mouth into something like a smile. “That does, indeed, seem like a heavy burden, especially if you’ll be alone with her.”
“I shall bear it,” Victoria said, finally smiling for real. “But since I’ll be handling all of Mother’s whims and fancies in your absence, you owe me a big favor.”
Daphne knew that it was a mere jest. Victoria, even though she was her opposite, would do anything to defend her. Tears were threatening to form once more, as guilt took over.
“I hate that you must serve as my shield, Vicky.”
“I know, but don’t,” her twin said, rising from her bed and pulling her into a tight embrace.
It was fierce, like the goodbye that neither of them wanted.
“You know that I will do anything to ensure your safety, including tolerating Mother and her maniacal matchmaking propositions. I know she probably will not appreciate the fact I will be the one who is left behind. I don’t tolerate her as well as you do. ”
“I will come back to you as soon as it is possible.” Daphne swallowed down her emotions because she knew she owed her sister a promise. “I will do my best to keep safe,” Daphne vowed, even as she wondered at the veracity of her words.
She clung back to Victoria, inhaling her sister’s scent and committing it to memory.
Since they had debuted, both young ladies had known that one day, they should be forced to part from one another.
But—in those dreams, they were going to live with their husbands, men they had chosen to love and spend the rest of their days adoring.
To be torn asunder from Victoria under these circumstances—because a man, a horrible, insufferable scoundrel, had developed an awful obsession—was almost inconceivable.
Daphne choked back a sob that built inside her. She had put on a brave face for the others, but now, a seed of doubt nestled and her bosom and refused to dislodge.
What if I never see Victoria again?
The thought sent her heart hammering and Daphne clung to Victoria tighter. No matter what happened, she would find her way back to her sister.
Then, a worse scenario occurred to her.
What if I never escape Briarwood’s clutches?