Before Richard could respond, Edith stood up, her voice cutting through the thick tension between them. "That's enough!"
Both brothers turned toward their mother, who was now standing between them, her expression stern but weary.
"Ambrose, Richard, I won't have you tearing each other apart over this," Edith said firmly, her tone brokering no argument. "You're brothers, not enemies. This constant bickering helps no one."
Ambrose's gaze lingered on Richard for a moment longer before he stepped back, his expression neutral once again. "I'm merely pointing out the obvious, Mother.
Richard glared at his brother but kept his mouth shut.
Edith let out a deep sigh, clearly exhausted by the ongoing tension between her sons. "Ambrose, you've made your point. And Richard, I understand how you feel about Daphne. But this... hostility between you two is unacceptable."
"I suppose we'll just have to see how long that conviction lasts, won't we?" Ambrose smirked in his brother's direction.
"There may be a way to settle this without all this bickering," Edith suggested, suddenly perking up.
Both brothers shared a weary look.
"And what do you propose, Mother? I doubt Richard and I are going to suddenly see eye to eye over dinner and drinks," Ambrose remarked, pointedly.
Richard let out a snort, clearly not in the mood for Ambrose's sardonic remarks, but Edith remained focused. "A house party."
"A house party?" Ambrose echoed, folding his arms over his chest. "You think a few days of forced pleasantries will make any difference?"
"If we host a house party, everyone will have time to get to know each other better—without the pressures of the typical social gatherings. A more relaxed setting where true personalities can emerge. It will give Richard the clarity he needs, and perhaps even you, Ambrose, will see her in a different light."
Ambrose scoffed quietly. "I highly doubt that."
Edith turned to Richard, her voice gentle. "You've been defending Daphne, but even you must admit that it's still early in your courtship. There's no harm in seeing how she fares in a more intimate setting."
"I don't need a house party to see who Daphne is, Mother. I already know," Richard resisted.
"And yet," Edith continued, "it would give you both time to see each other more clearly. Without the constant eyes of society watching your every move. You may find she's exactly as you think, or... you may discover something you hadn't noticed before."
Ambrose shook his head. "A house party would accomplish nothing except giving me a headache."
Edith smiled slightly at her eldest son. "That may be true, but it will also give you the opportunity to spend time with other guests. Perhaps even find someone more suited to your... exacting standards."
"Mother, not this again," he groaned. "We just went over this." She had always been skilled at getting what she wanted, and Ambrose knew he was being cornered.
"A mother can dream," Edith continued. "And whether you like it or not, the dukedom still requires an heir."
Ambrose clenched his jaw, his mind racing. The thought of hosting a house party filled with eligible young women—each one likely trying to impress him—made his stomach turn. But worse than that was the idea of seeing Daphne every single day, watching her charm Richard with her impulsive nature and careless laughter.
The mere thought made his head ache.
"I see," he muttered, his voice tight. "You plan to parade potential wives in front of me like livestock. How delightful."
Edith shook her head. "Must you make it sound so crass? It is only the natural order of things – finding and selecting a companion for yourself."
There was no way this house party would end without some form of conflict, that much was certain. But he did not wish to disappoint his mother much either.
It was a losing battle.
Ambrose sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine," he said finally, his tone reluctant. "But don't expect miracles, Mother. I highly doubt this will change anything."
"Splendid," Edith said, a renewed bounce to her tone. "It is settled then. I shall send out the invitations at the earliest. We'll invite some close friends and a few families who might make good matches."
Richard, though still wary, nodded slowly. "I agree to this as well. If it will give everyone more time... then perhaps it's worth it."
