"These are tricky terrains," he nodded, a frown forming on his lips as he examined the rocks from where she had just lost her footing mere moments ago. Then, as if remembering something urgent, he blurted, "Lord Richard Harris," he nodded at her. "And you are?"
Daphne plucked a strand of her brown hair behind her ear, feeling grateful that it wasn't soaked in water. "Lady Daphne Carter."
Richard nodded at her, "I see, I see. Well, are you well now?"
Daphne found herself blushing wildly, and looked away to conceal it. "Yes, thank you for asking."
"I am glad," he said as he began to mount his mare. "Try not to lurk around the edge when you're by your lonesome. If anything, take someone with you. It was a lucky coincidence that I was riding along this direction, otherwise... who knows what would have happened. I trust that you will be okay on your own after this?"
Daphne could only manage a small nod, feeling her palms soak with sweat with every word that left his mouth.
"Very well. You keep safe then."
Just as quickly as he appeared, he made his departure. The muted sound of hooves clanking against the grass grew quieter and quieter until he was no longer to be seen. It did not matter to Daphne, however, because the impression of this kind, valiant stranger had burnt itself into her mind.
"Lord Richard," she repeated to herself, a dazed smile forming on her lips. His name seemed as formidable as his presence. How tall he had stood, how his voice had carried the warmth of chivalry—just like the heroes in the romance novels she had devoured.
Everything about this encounter felt as though it had been pulled from the pages of one of those very books.
Had fate just delivered her very own prince charming? It was a one in a million chance, but perhaps she had just gotten very lucky.
The next day, Daphne sat in her room, surrounded by her two closest friends, Violet and Isadora.
"Oh, is she going to be like this all evening?" Violet noted with annoyance.
"I believe she is getting a certain pleasure out of teasing us like this," Isadora said, amused. "After all, none of us are getting saved by handsome strangers, now are we? Of course we will hang onto every word she says."
Daphne fell back on her bed, letting out a dreamy sigh. She had gathered both her friends on an urgent basis, having given them no information other than that she had beensavedby the finest gentleman in London.
"Oh, I do not even know where to start," Daphne pressed a delicate hand to her chest. "It all happened so fast – truly, he appeared out of nowhere. He appeared out of nowhere, like a prince on horseback. I thought for sure I would end up drenched, but he pulled me back."
"Perhaps he had been already observing you from a distance," Isadora suggested, causing Daphne to jolt up from her place on the bed.
She had not even considered that. "Could he have been?" The thought was both nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time.
"Perhaps," Isadora affirmed. "The only way to confirm is to ask him yourself, of course."
"Oh, I will," Daphne smirked.
"You say that with such confidence," Violet eyed her friend, hesitantly. "Such certainty that you will cross paths again..."
"I am sure. It was fate that brought him to me, and I have no doubt that it will happen again. If it doesn't, then I shall will it to."
Some might describe Daphne as stubborn – relentless even, when it came to getting what she wanted. She paid little heed to those opinions, and instead chose to see herself as determined.
Violet and Isadora exchanged an amused look.
"What?" Daphne asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Nothing, nothing," Violet chuckled. "It is just – this is all, very much like you, you know? The grand entrance of your prince, the drama of it all..."
"Is it not exactly like a scene from a book?" Daphne smiled, thinking back to the moment again.
Oh, it was perfect.Perfect!
"Yes, I'd say so. I am not sure if I'd want the same for myself, however," Violet admitted, "I'd want our first meeting to be quite...normal. I'd prefer someone shy, someone who only wants to talk to me. No grand gestures, just the two of us, communicating with our eyes. Quiet... but perfect."
"Well, I would want neither," Isadora interjected. "Neither a prince charming, nor a shy gentleman. What Iwantis a man who makes me feel secure, like I can rely on him to make the right decisions. Safety over romance, any day."
