“Well, I believe that I am on the right path,” Daphne affirmed, "I shall prove to everyone that I am a lady, as much as anyone else. I shall become a diamond of the first water."
“That is quite ambitious,” Isadora’s eyes glittered with amusement.
“Aim high,” Daphne laughed.
CHAPTER 5
Today is my chance to prove myself.
The grand dining room of the Greymont Estate was filled with the murmur of polite conversation and the occasional clinking of silverware. It was the kind of evening that demanded decorum— something that Daphne had been preparing for all week.
Daphne sat beside Richard, trying her best to embody the elegance and poise that she had been practicing for.
Tonight was important. When Daphne had arrived, she had been told that she would be seated next to Richard – on special request by him, no less! The idea alone was enough to fill her up with both nerves, and excitement.
It was the perfect opportunity – she would be in close proximity to Richard, and finally win him over with her poise and elegance.
Or at least that's what Daphne hoped for to happen. There was a small thorn in her way.
Or perhaps, a large thorn in the shape of an insufferable Duke. Across the table directly in her line of sight, sat Ambrose, the Duke of Greymont.
His presence was impossible to ignore. As always, his gaze seemed to follow her every move, and even though he hadn't spoken a word to her yet, Daphne could feel the weight of his attention, like a looming storm on the horizon. Every time she reached for her glass or adjusted her napkin, she felt his eyes on her, scrutinizing her with that infuriating combination of arrogance and amusement.
It was unsettling, to say the least.
"Are you alright, Lady Daphne?" Richard asked gently, turning toward her with a kind smile.
Daphne forced a smile and nodded. "Yes, of course, My Lord. Just a bit warm, perhaps."
Richard's smile widened, and he glanced around the room. "It is rather stifling in here, isn't it? I do not blame you."
Daphne smiled softly, grateful for Richard's lightheartedness. He was always so kind, so gentle with her. It was easy to be around him—no sharp edges, no unexpected challenges.
Unlike his brother.
"Yes," Daphne said, careful not to chuckle. Always known for her loud laughter, Isadora had told Daphne that ladiesdo notchuckle. If they must express amusement, they only smile demurely or titter at best. "You always seem to understand, My Lord."
The conversation around the table continued, with various guests discussing politics, art, and the latest gossip from London. Daphne tried to focus, to engage in the discussions but every time she opened her mouth to speak, she felt Ambrose's eyes on her, as if waiting for her to slip up.
And, of course, that's exactly what happened.
It started with the soup course. Daphne reached for the wrong spoon—a simple mistake, but one that was immediately noticed by Ambrose.
"Lady Daphne," Ambrose called out, "the smaller spoon would be more suitable for your course, wouldn't you agree?"
Daphne froze, her fingers still wrapped around the larger spoon. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she quickly switched utensils, her heart pounding in her chest. Across the table, Ambrose wore that infuriating smirk, clearly pleased with himself.
"Thank you, Your Grace," she murmured. The warmth in her cheeks was undeniable as she felt the eyes of the other guests briefly flicker toward her.
Richard, bless him, didn't seem to notice. He continued chatting about some new piece of music he had heard recently, completely unaware of Daphne's discomfort.
Try as Daphne might, she seemed to be attracting attention from thewrongbrother this evening.
"Tell me, Lady Daphne," Ambrose continued in his usual deep voice. "Do you often find it difficult to navigate formal dinners?"
"I beg your pardon, Your Grace?" she replied, her voice steady despite the heat rising to her cheeks.
Ambrose's smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "It's just that you seem... a little unsure of yourself this evening. I was wondering if perhaps you find these sorts of gatherings a bit overwhelming."
