"Such an event," Lady Rosalind continued. "The music was divine."
"I'm sure it was," Ambrose replied, though he wasn't paying attention. Instead, he caught himself comparing Lady Rosalind's hands to Daphne's smaller, more delicate ones.
His mother leaned toward him, lowering her voice slightly. "Ambrose, dear, you seem distracted," she said with a pointed smile. "Do focus, she is an excellent prospect."
Ambrose forced a smile back. It was very unlikely for him to be able to focus like this. Surely, this was an anomaly.
Albeit a shockingly persistent one.
CHAPTER 10
Finally. Some actual entertainment.
Daphne did not want to sound ungrateful, but the house party was already wearing her down. She must have had dozens of inane conversations about topics such as the weather in the last twenty-four hours that she had been here.
So when the Dowager Duchess informed the guests that tonight, there will be a game night in the drawing room, Daphne was enthused – which was not lost on Joyce, who commented as the two ladies made their way over to the drawing room.
"Gosh, Daphne. You are in high spirits already, and the game has not even begun yet."
Daphne passed her sister a pointed look. "Can you blame me? You know that I enjoy cards."
"Yes, but remember that we are not at home," Joyce reminded. "Tonight's games are meant for polite entertainment, nothing more."
"Joyce, have you forgotten that Iknowhow to play cards?"
"Not at all. I know how competitive you can get, which is why I am giving you a gentle reminder in advance. Remember, a lady's participation is never meant to be too enthusiastic. You must remain poised, at all times."
"Not too enthusiastic, yet perfectly poised?" Daphne stifled a sigh. "So, we're meant to be ornaments, then?"
"That is quite a pessimistic way of putting it..."
"That is how it sounds to me," Daphne sighed, spotting the Dowager from across the room. She straightened her back, and reminded herself what she was here to do.
Make an impression.
So if that meant that she had to be a daft ornament for the evening, then so be it. Even if it went against what she really wished to do – which was to beat anyone who dared to duel her in a game of cards.
Daphne settled on the table with Joyce, doing her best not to let her sisters advice slip from her mind – as it often was the case with unsolicited advice.
Two gentlemen, and three ladies including herself and Joyce sat down on the table.
"Good evening," one of the gentlemen greeted politely. One of the ladies took out her fan, and delicately fanned herself across the face.
They do not look much like competition.Daphne thought to herself, agonizing already that she was going to have to downplay her skills in front of a party that likely did not match her level.
Cards were being shuffled when the devil himself, the Duke of Greymont approached their table.
"Ah, I see you've started without me," his voice was smooth, "I do hope there's room for one more."
The other guests glanced up at him, some of the women smiling eagerly at the Duke's attention. One of the men, clearly trying to impress, motioned to the empty chair beside Daphne.
"Of course, Your Grace," the man said. "We'd be honored to have you join us."
Daphne kept her eyes fixed on her cards, willing herself not to look at Ambrose. She knew that if she did, she would not doubt be met with that smirk of his – which seemed to be a permanent feature on his face at this point.
Without further ado, Ambrose pulled a chair out beside her, leaning back casually as though he owned the entire table.
He's insufferable enough to think that he does.
