Chapter 6
Daphne rubbed her hands together and then over her bare arms. Seated alone on a stone bench under large fronds of greenery, she swung her legs back and forth. The Duke of Fairmont’s estate was divine. Every season it became easier and easier for her to escape into the beautifully manicured garden. It was cooler outdoors than she expected. She let her head fall back as she gazed up at the dark sky glittering with stars. The constellations were aligned in just the right manner that it reminded her of Ambrose”s handsome profile. Blast the man. For the last two weeks, the man who’d held her affections for so many years had suddenly appeared wherever she went. It was bloody infuriating, seeing as in the past she”d spend days devising plans to be in the same vicinity as Ambrose. Her eyes closed, and the memory of Ambrose attempting to trail nonchalantly behind her and Alice a week ago along the Serpentine had the corner of her lips curving into a smile. He even joined them for a spell before Alice sent him on his way, claiming he was injuring her chances of luring an eligible gentleman. Then yesterday Ambrose had skulked outside Gunter’s as Daphne treated Alice to an ice. With no pin money of her own, Alice had savored each bite as if she’d never have the chance to eat the frozen treat again.
Whether it was the cool evening breeze or the memory of enjoying an ice, Daphne shivered. It was time she returned to the Fairmont ball before she caused a scandal or witnessed one. The latter being the most likely. Even if she were to be embroiled in anything remotely close to a scandal, her papa would see to the matter just as he had at the Hadfield soiree. If her papa wasn’t a man of his word, she’d already be married to Ambrose. But her papa promised not interfere in her choice to marry or even opine on the prospective groom. He simply told her to choose wisely. Her heart swelled at the knowledge her papa trusted her judgement.
Her chin dipped to her chest. The Season had officially begun and according to Alice her days as a spinster were numbered, for Ambrose was set on marrying her off this Season. Since Daphne was fairly certain Ambrose never had and never would fail to achieve anything he set his mind to, she listened to her best friend”s complaints with a sympathetic ear and nodded her support to ensure this was the most memorable Season for them both.
A heavy coat fell upon her shoulders and she looked up as Ambrose stepped around to stand before her. The man was as stealthy as a cat sneaking about in the dark. “Hiding?”
“Not very well it seems.”
“I thought we had an agreement.”
“We do?” She’d hoped he’d forgotten the mortifying day in the park.
“Yes, you are to assist me in securing a husband for Alice.”
“After speaking to Alice, I have the impression she’d rather be a pauper than a wife.”
“Regardless, we had an agreement.” He stepped closer. “And if it weren’t for the deal you struck with Miss Lennox, Alice would be without a new wardrobe this Season.”
“What in the devil are you talking about?”
“Us courting, of course.” He cupped her face and ran his thumb over her bottom lip.
She inhaled at his touch, the memory of their kiss flooding back. “Courting.” Miss Lennox’s words came back to her, pretend to court Harlowe and I’ll not withhold Alice’s gowns. “But I…I never sent word to Miss Lennox agreeing to her terms.”
“Why do you think I’ve been following you about for the past two weeks? I had to at least attempt to make it appear we were courting in order to have Alice’s gowns delivered.”
Daphne’s jaw fell open. “But…how…” She shook her head side to side. “You couldn’t have…I’m going to strangle your sister when I return to the ball.”
Ambrose bent until they were eye-to-eye. “That’s unfortunate since I’m rather fond of my sister.”
Already rejected once, she should back away from him. Instead, years of fantasies rolled through her mind and she, for a second time, kissed the man. Ambrose wrapped his arms about her, drew her close, and kissed her back until she pulled away to heave a breath to calm her racing heart.
“Please grant me the honor of courting you this Season?” Ambrose’s right brow independently shifted down and then back up as if to say I dare you to say no.
She wasn’t going to deny Ambrose, but she didn’t want to appear completely compliant. Daphne shrugged out of his coat and shoved it into his chest. “You, my lord, play the role of fortune hunter well.”
Ambrose smirked and said, “I shall take that as a yes.”
Daphne ran her palms down her side before clasping them tightly in front of her. “I’m merely agreeing to a courtship and nothing more.”
He slipped his arms back into his coat and then winged his arm out for her. She placed her hand on his arm and silently repeated courtship and nothing more twice in her head before she inwardly groaned. She couldn’t even lie to herself convincingly. She’s waited years for Ambrose to pursue her, but she wanted him to do so because he loved her, not because she came with a substantial dowry.