There was a lull in the conversation, the silence growing a little too heavy for Daphne's liking. She could feel the ease that normally came with a good conversation slipping away, and despite her best efforts, it felt like she and Richard were just... going through the motions. Polite, friendly, but without the energy or connection she had hoped to feel.
Why is this so hard?she thought, glancing at Richard, who seemed equally aware of the awkwardness creeping in.
She tried again. "Well... do you have any other interests? Hobbies outside of painting and reading?"
Richard thought for a moment, but the response that followed was slow, as if he, too, was searching for something to say. "Well, I enjoy horseback riding from time to time. It's relaxing."
Daphne nodded, though she had heard the same thing from countless gentlemen before.Relaxing. Of course.
"That sounds... nice," she replied, feeling her smile tighten a little. They had run out of things to say, and the conversation felt as though it had hit a wall. She wanted to feel more—wanted to connect with him, but no matter how hard she tried, the chemistry just wasn't there.
Shouldn't it be more than this?she wondered.
"Shall we continue our walk?" Richard suggesting, perhaps motivated by the lull in their conversation.
"Yes, of course," Daphne got up at once. This time, a strange feeling nagged her.
Even if she became the perfect lady, would it be enough to spend a lifetime together? Was this what love was supposed to feel like?
For all the commotion, it certainly did not live up to the hype.
CHAPTER 6
Edith, the Dowager Duchess, sat with regal poise in one of the deep armchairs, her eyes resting thoughtfully on her eldest son, Ambrose. Across from her, Richard leaned against the mantelpiece, his gaze occasionally drifting toward his brother.
The evening had grown quiet, the sounds of the household fading as the servants retired for the night.
"Ambrose," Edith began, breaking the silence, "we need to discuss something of importance."
Ambrose, who had been quietly perusing a book, looked up, his expression unreadable. "Mother, I've told you before, I'm not interested in discussing marriage."
After all, he knew his mother well. Well enough to know exactly what she wished to discuss with him.
Edith sighed, though there was no surprise in her features. "You are not growing any younger, my son. The dukedom needs an heir, and you have yet even to consider looking for a wife."
"Mother, I am not interested..."
Edith folded her hands, her expression unwavering. "Not interested, or simply avoiding it? You have responsibilities, Ambrose. Not just to the title, but to the family. Your brother should not be expected to be married before you."
Richard, seated in an armchair nearby, glanced up from the book he had been pretending to read. His brow furrowed slightly, but he remained silent, knowing this conversation wasn't new.
"Richard will have an heir of his own in time. The line will continue, and the estate will be secure."
Richard's grip tightened on the book, his discomfort growing. "I'm not the Duke, Ambrose. That's your duty, not mine."
Edith's lips pressed into a thin line. "Your brother is right. It is not his burden to bear."
Ambrose let out a frustrated breath, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. "I've done everything else for this family, haven't I? Managed the estates, kept our reputation intact. Is that not enough?"
Edith's eyes softened slightly, though her resolve remained firm. "You've been a fine duke, Ambrose. No one is questioning that. But there's more to it than land and reputation. You need to think about the future."
"The future?" Bitterness threatened to spill over in his voice. Had he not done enough for the family? He had been the proverbial head of the family since he was fourteen – surely they could give him some room to breathe when it came to a decision as grand as marriage.
Still, he was not one to be moody around his family and therefore, he collected himself. Getting angry at them would serve no one.
"Yes, I mean – how long do you expect to go without a family of your own?" Edith countered.
"I have the both of you," Ambrose replied, pointedly.
