"You don't have to have all the answers right now," Violet said softly, her hand giving Daphne's arm a reassuring squeeze. "Just take it one step at a time."
Isadora handed Daphne another handkerchief, her expression kind but determined. "You don't have to decide anything tonight. Just breathe, Daphne."
Daphne could no longer fight the sinking feeling that had taken root inside of her.
"Where are you going?" Isadora asked, chasing after Daphne as she exited the restroom in a rush.
"Please, I need to do this on my own," Daphne retorted, looking back at her friend over her shoulder.
Worry lines etched across her friend's face and she opened her mouth to speak, but then backed away. "I trust you to make the right decision for yourself. Stay safe, Daphne."
"Have you seen the Duke?" Daphne asked her sister, who was by the refreshments table.
"I believe I saw him go outside," she replied, and then raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I have no time to explain right now," Daphne brushed past her sister with a determined look on her face. She barely heard Joyce's response as she picked up her skirts and rushed out of the ballroom.
There was a sense of urgency propelling her forward. She couldn't let things remain unresolved between them. Not after everything that had happened.
The cool night air hit her as soon as she stepped outside, the noise of the ball fading behind her. For a second, she worried if he had taken off again – disappeared somewhere only he knew of, and not to be seen again until he wished to. The thought only served to heighten the sense of urgency she felt.
It was clear to her now – she could not leave the Estate without knowing what the Duke thought of her. This thing betweenthem... it could not be in her head alone. Shehadto know. Otherwise, she feared it was something that she would wonder about for the rest of her life.
After moments of searching, she found him. There he was, near the fountain, his back turned to her. Ambrose was standing perfectly still, his posture tense as he stared at the water cascading down the stone structure.
As she approached, her footsteps must have alerted him to her presence because Ambrose turned slightly, catching sight of her from the corner of his eye. His expression immediately shifted—surprise, followed by something more guarded.
"Daphne," he said as if he wasn't sure he should even be speaking to her. "What are you doing out here?"
"I came to speak with you," she trembled as she spoke.
They were out in the gardens – without a chaperone. At any moment, one of the guests could venture outside and spot them together, forever tarnishing both her reputation and any hopes of a decent proposal.Especiallyone from Richard, as it was his brother with whom she would be caught.
But it hardly mattered to Daphne at the moment. She wanted an answer.
"We have nothing to speak about," Ambrose replied, refusing to meet her gaze. "It is not wise for you to venture out here in thegardens at this hour, especially not when I'm here. You should head back inside."
Daphne stood her ground. "I shall not leave until you offer me an explanation, Your Grace. All that has happened between us has driven me to the brink of insanity. And yet, it is so easy for you to say that it was nothing more than a mistake."
Her tone betrayed the hurt and anger she felt.
Ambrose let out a sigh. The muscles in his jaw tightened, and a flicker of emotion in his eyes—a deep, conflicted sorrow—spoke louder than any words could. For the first time this evening, he had shown her anything other than nonchalance.
"What else do you expect me to say?"
At first, Daphne did not know how to respond. Truly,whatdid she expect him to say? But then, an awful thought entered her mind. Was Ambrose' attitude to be explained by the fact that kissing her was nothing out of the norm for him? Had there been other ladies, just like herself, who had been in this position before her?
Bile rose to her stomach, and her knees nearly gave away. "Did it not meaning anything to you?" she said, a tear rolling down her cheek.
Her words seemed to have broken whatever resolve that Ambrose had thus far maintained, because all of a sudden,Ambrose leaned forward to wrap her in an embrace, his arms wound around the small of her back, pulling her in.
"I..." Daphne was stunned, as much as she was comforted. Being in his embrace felt natural, as though she should have been here all this time.
"Please, no more," Ambrose spoke in a hushed tone, "I cannot stand to see you unhappy like this."
"So, then why is it that you must push me away?"
To anyone else, Daphne's question would undoubtedly sound like the musings of a madwoman. Why should henotpush her away? He was not her beloved, nor was it wise to maintain any degree of closeness with him. But she could not help herself, and ask anyway. It had come from her heart.
