"Lady Daphne! Lady Riverton."
Both sisters turned to see the Dowager approaching, her presence impossible to ignore. They exchanged greetings.
The Dowager offered a nod in return but didn't waste any time getting to the point. "Lady Riverton, if you don't mind, might I borrow your sister for a few moments?"
Joyce's brows lifted ever so slightly in surprise, but quickly masked it with a polite smile. "Of course, Your Grace." She glanced at Daphne, her expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "I'll be just over there if you need me."
Daphne's heart thudded loudly in her chest. Her mind scrambled for reasons why the Dowager would want to speak to her alone, especially after the conversation they'd had earlier.
Did she know?Surely, she did not.
She swallowed nervously as Joyce gave her a quick, reassuring nod before moving away, leaving her standing alone with the Dowager.
Edith gestured toward the balcony. "Perhaps outside? The weather is quite pleasant tonight."
"Of course," Daphne swallowed hard. The two ladies made their way over, surpassing the crowd of guests until they finally had a moment of privacy.
"I've been meaning to speak with you for some time now. You've been here for several days, and yet I feel I haven't had the chance to properly get to know you."
Daphne blinked, surprised by the Dowager's words. "Get to know me?" she echoed.
"Yes," the Dowager confirmed, her smile widening slightly. "I've been observing you, my dear, and I must say, I find you quite fascinating. You have a certain... presence about you. A charm that isn't always so easily found among young ladies these days."
Daphne felt warmth rise to her cheeks at the unexpected compliment. "I... thank you. That's very kind of you to say."
Edith chuckled lightly, "It's the truth. And I've always been one to speak my mind. That's something I appreciate in you as well, Daphne. You don't strike me as the type to hide behind politeness or pretend to be something you're not."
Daphne found herself relaxing slightly in her company, almost feeling foolish at her earlier assumption.
"I've always believed that honesty is the best policy," Daphne replied, allowing herself to smile more easily. "Even if it's not always what people want to hear."
"Ah, exactly," Edith agreed, her laughter warm and unrestrained. "I've found that to be true more times than I can count. It's refreshing to meet someone who doesn't simply say what's expected of them."
The Dowager's kindness felt genuine, but there was a deeper curiosity behind her words that made Daphne wonder what she was leading toward.
"I must admit, I've been curious about your relationship with Richard," she said, "You've certainly captured his attention."
Daphne felt her heart skip a beat at the mention of Richard's name. This was the conversation she had been dreading—the one where everyone assumed that her future was already decided. That Richard's attentions automatically meant marriage, and that it was only a matter of time before the proposal came.
Is that what the Dowager had come to speak to her about?
She chose her words carefully. "Richard... has been very kind," she said, "He's a gentleman in every sense of the word, and I'm grateful for his attentions."
The Dowager raised an eyebrow, picking up on the vagueness of Daphne's response. "Yes, Richard is very much the gentleman. But I'm more interested in how you feel about him. Is he everything you've imagined in a husband?"
Daphne's stomach twisted again, but she forced herself to keep her composure. "I—well, Richard is... certainly everything a lady could ask for. He is accomplished, intelligent, and he comes from a very fine family."
"Ah," she said softly, her gaze never wavering. "Yes, that is quite right. Do you believe you are ready for marriage with him?"
Daphne was taken aback by the directness of her question. It was only natural for her to ask, of course. But still, her throat tightened in response.
This was precisely the question she had been avoiding—both from others and from herself. Was she ready? Did she feel settled with Richard? In her heart, she knew what the answer was but she would not dare admit it out loud.
"I..." Daphne began, searching for the right words, but before she could finish, the Dowager stopped her.
"It's perfectly all right, my dear. You don't have to answer. I've been around long enough to understand these things. They take time."
Daphne nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. The Dowager was reading her too easily, and it left her feeling vulnerable in a way she hadn't expected.
