"Bend your knees slightly, but keep your back straight," Isadora instructed, demonstrating the perfect curtsy with ease. "You want to appear graceful, not stiff."
Graceful, not stiff.Oh what ever was the distinction even?
Daphne tried to mimic the movement, but her knees wobbled, and she nearly lost her balance. Isadora's eyes narrowed.
"You're overthinking it again," Isadora said. "Relax."
"I'm trying!" Daphne snapped, her frustration boiling over.
Isadora raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on Daphne's outburst. Instead, she simply crossed her arms and waited for Daphne to compose herself.
"I am sorry," Daphne said, realizing that she had lost her cool in front of her friend who was only trying to help her.
"As long you do not behave in this manner in front of the Duke, and Lord Richard – we should be fine..."
"Lord Richard, I am not too worried about," Daphne's fists curled against her side. "But it is the Duke who infuriates me. It is rather impossible to keep my cool when he is in close proximity..."
"Seems to be that he brings out quite the passion out of you," Isadora suggested.
"Passion?" Daphne scoffed. "Are we calling anything passion these days?"
"I am only telling you what I am observing as a third party," Isadora shrugged. "You may see it different."
"I see it nothing more than a nuisance," Daphne maintained before taking a deep breath, and deciding to try again – this time focusing on moving slowly and deliberately. She bent her knees slightly, keeping her back straight, and managed to lower herselfinto a halfway decent curtsy without stumbling. When she rose, she glanced at Isadora, who gave a small nod of approval.
"Better," Isadora said, though her tone was still stern. "But you need to practice more. You need to be able to do this without thinking."
Daphne's shoulders slumped. She had been practicing for days, but it still felt unnatural. She couldn't help but wonder if she was in over her head. Could she really become the perfect lady or was she setting herself up for failure?
"Daphne," Isadora said, her voice softer now. "I know this is difficult, but if you wish to prove yourself, you need to keep going. I have always known you to be someone who does not give up. Besides…”
Isadora trailed for a moment. Daphne looked up at her friend.
“Besides?”
“Well, you always maintained that it was a bit silly how much effort that ladies put in to appear proper. Now, if it was truly so silly, it should not be so hard.”
Daphne exhaled. “I suppose it's more my nervousness that is the problem.”
“What are you nervous about?” Isadora probed.
Daphne thought about the duke again. She did not want him to be proven right. It felt personal.
“And sincewhendo you let anything make you nervous?” Isadora continued. “Have you forgotten the person that you are, Daphne?”
Daphne sighed. Isadora had a point. She was letting self-doubt creep into her. But it was not the right thing to do. She wasn't going to let Ambrose—or anyone else—dictate her worth. She would prove herself, even if it took everything she had.
“You are right,” she said after a moment. “I should keep trying.”
“Exactly!” Isadora said, excited. “Now that is the Daphne I know.”
Daphne's progress, though slow, was noticeable. With her renewed confidence, she no longer tripped over her own feet during her walks, her curtsies were becoming smoother, and she had learned to keep her temper in check during polite conversation. Isadora's training was working, but it was taking its toll. Daphne was exhausted, both physically and emotionally.
"Do you think it is all going to be worth it?" Daphne asked Isadora, displaying a rare moment of vulnerability as their session drew to a close.
Isadora smiled at her friend. "Depends on what you consider worthwhile.”
Daphne thought it over for a moment.Getting a proposal. Proving the duke wrong.The latter seemed to outweigh the former.
