"I am happy that you understand,” Richard replied, cheerfully.
Desperate to salvage the conversation, she tried once more. "Do you ever dream of traveling, my lord? Seeing places beyond England?"
Richard glanced at her, "Traveling? I suppose, one day, when duties permit it. But my focus, for now, is here. There's always something that needs attending to."
“I see.”
Daphne forced a polite smile. It was becoming painfully clear that Richard's idea of an engaging conversation was vastly different from her own. Where she longed for adventure, for passion, and for a sense of something greater than the mundane, Richard seemed perfectly content with the status quo.
There was nothing wrong with that. But it ignited no spark inside of her.
With each passing minute, Daphne's heart sank a little further.
She glanced at Richard, who was smiling at something she had just said, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. It occurred to her then that perhaps she had been too hopeful. Perhaps she had wanted more from Richard than he was capable of giving. Herprince charming.
Oh, but how could this even happen? We had gotten off on such a lovely start.When she had first met Richard, she had been convinced that they would be a lovely match. So why was it that now that she got to spend some time with him, it was turning out differently than what she had anticipated?
But Daphne did not get the chance to dwell over it for too long as behind them, a second set of footsteps approached, heavier and more deliberate.
Daphne stiffened as she recognized the presence before she even saw him.
Ambrose. What does he want now?
Ambrose's tall figure loomed beside them as he caught up, his expression unreadable but with a glint of amusement in his eyes. He had already made it clear during their last encounter that he disapproved of her. Was he here to ruin things more?
"Ah, I see you've brought Lady Daphne along for a walk," Ambrose said with a slight sneer. His tone was polite enough, but there was an edge to it that set Daphne's nerves on edge. "How... charming."
Daphne tightened her grip on Richard's arm. She had no desire to engage with Ambrose, especially not after the last disastrous interaction they'd had.
"Charming indeed," Daphne replied coolly, trying to mask her irritation. "Lord Richard thought it would be a terrific idea to go for a stroll.”
Ambrose's smile widened, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"I see," he drawled, and then looked towards the sky, smirking. “Though it looks as though it might rain.”
Daphne looked towards the sky, worried. And sure enough, it seemed that rain clouds were approaching. She thought it to be an omen – Ambrose had brought the clouds with him.
“Oh, it does. Doesn’t it?” Richard replied. “That’s quite the shame.”
“Maybe you will have to cut your little stroll short,” Ambrose said. “Though – perhaps that is not such an awful thing.Whatexactly do you two find to talk about during these little promenades of yours?"
Daphne could feel her temper flaring. He was interrupting again. Looking at him now, she was certain that Ambrose took pleasure in making her uncomfortable, in reminding her that she wasn't welcome in his world.
But what made it worse for her that he was not entirely off the mark. It was true that the two of them had little of substance to speak about. But Daphne was not going to give the Duke the satisfaction of being proven correct.
“I cannot imagine why you would be so curious, Your Grace." she said, her voice sharp despite her attempt to remain civil. "But nonetheless, Lord Richard and I have plenty to speak about. In fact, we were in the midst of a rather interesting conversation before you… interrupted us."
The Duke's' lips twisted into an amused smile. "Interrupted?" his eyes dashed between his brother, and then her. "My dearLady Daphne, I'm merely trying to engage in conversation. Surely, there's no harm in that?"
Richard sighed beside her, perhaps picking up on his brother's intentions.
"Brother, we are simply enjoying a quiet afternoon. The lady is correct – you are interrupting uninvited."
Oh, he is standing up for me.Daphne thought to herself. Sure, it wasn't as vigorously as she had wished but it was something.
Ambrose wasn't deterred. "Oh, I'm not trying to make anything of it. But as your brother, I am only naturally curious to know what brings the both of you together." His gaze flicked to Daphne, his expression almost mocking. "After all, isn't it well known that Lady Daphne prefers to stay in the background, blending in with the scenery?"
Daphne's cheeks flushed, and she felt her control slipping. He was purposely trying to embarrass her, and she had enough of it.
