Her chest felt tight. After her dance with Ambrose, the ballroom had become suffocating.
She hurried out of the room, her heels clicking rapidly against the polished floors as she sought refuge in one of the estate's more secluded powder rooms.
Tears welled in her eyes before she could even think to stop them. Her vision blurred as she made her way to the mirror, gripping the edge of the vanity to steady herself.
Oh, this night was turning out to be one of the worst of her life.
The door creaked softly as it opened, and Daphne barely registered the sound until she heard a familiar voice.
"Daphne?" Isadora's voice was laced with concern as she stepped into the room. Her eyes widened when she saw her friend standing by the mirror, clearly distraught. "Oh, Daphne, what's wrong?"
Daphne shook her head, unable to speak, the tears still streaming down her face. She turned away from Isadora, attempting to wipe her eyes with trembling hands, but it was no use. The tears kept coming, her heartbreak too overwhelming to contain.
Isadora rushed to her side, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Shh, it's alright," she whispered gently. "You don't have to explain if you're not ready."
A moment later, the door opened again, and Violet entered, her expression turning from curious to concerned the moment she saw Daphne's tear-streaked face.
"What's happened?" she asked, rushing to join Isadora at Daphne's side. "Daphne, are you alright?"
Daphne sniffled, shaking her head again as she tried to speak, but the words lodged themselves in her throat. She pressed her hand to her mouth, trying to stifle the sound of her crying, but it was no use.
Violet exchanged a worried glance with Isadora, then placed a gentle hand on Daphne's arm. "We're here, Daphne. You don't have to go through this alone."
Isadora guided Daphne to a nearby chair, coaxing her to sit down as she continued to cry. The two friends crouched down beside her, offering whatever comfort they could.
"What could have happened?" Isadora murmured quietly, almost to herself, as she handed Daphne a handkerchief. "She was fine earlier..."
Violet's eyes narrowed slightly as she thought back over the events of the evening. "It's not Richard, is it?" she asked, her tone tentative, as if not wanting to pry too deeply. "I did not see the both of them arguing. Do you think he might have said something to her?"
"No, no. I do not believe so. He is far too polite for it."
"Did she have a squabble with Joyce then?"
"No, they get along brilliantly. I do not see why they would fight over anything."
Daphne's sobs quieted slightly, but she didn't respond, her shoulders still shaking with the force of her emotions. She took the handkerchief from Isadora with a shaking hand, dabbing at her eyes, but the tears kept coming.
Isadora's brow furrowed in thought, and she gently pressed on. "Is it... the Duke?"
At the mention of Ambrose, Daphne let out another sob, her hands tightening around the handkerchief. Isadora's and Violet's suspicions were confirmed in an instant.
"Oh, Daphne," Isadora whispered, her voice filled with understanding. She leaned in closer, her arm still around her friend's shoulders. "Is it something he said? Did something happen between you two?"
Daphne shook her head once more, unable to find the words to explain the chaos of emotions swirling inside her. How could she begin to describe what had happened?
Violet sighed softly, her hand resting on Daphne's arm as she watched her friend's tears continue to fall. "It's him, isn't it?" she asked quietly. "He's the reason you're so upset."
Isadora glanced at Violet again, worry etched across her face. "Whatever it is, Daphne, you don't have to face it alone," she whispered.
Violet nodded in agreement. "It's clear that something happened between you and Ambrose, but you don't have to explain right now. We just want you to know we're here."
Daphne took a shaky breath, grateful for their support.
"I... I don't know what to do," Daphne whispered shakily. Her gaze dropped to her lap, tears still glistening in her eyes. "Everything feels so..."
"So overwhelming," Isadora finished for her, understanding clear in her tone.
Daphne nodded, more tears threatening to spill over. "I can't... I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore."
