"Well, I suppose I had an inkling. But the moment itself is always a surprise, even if you've been expecting it," she admitted. "When he finally gave me the ring, I remember asking him what the news was. He got quite a good laugh out of that."
The girls chuckled at the story, but Daphne found herself thinking that her proposal was most unique. She had not been in a courtship with the Duke, so it had not even been something that she had ever expected to happen. Ambrose had not stumbled upon his words, nor had he come prepared with a script. It had come naturally to him, which made it all the more special to her.
It had beenreal.Just like their connection.
Violet sighed dreamily. "I must say that I really love hearing stories like this. It makes me wonder what my own proposal will be like."
Their little gathering was interrupted when one of the house servants came to the room, "His Grace has arrived."
"Oh," Daphne nearly jumped, while the other girls passed her teasing smiles. Ambrose had been invited over by her sisters husbands to go out together for some drinks. Daphne had been so lost in the conversations she was having that she had forgotten how quickly the time had passed.
"Escort him in," Felicity said, "And inform the men upstairs, so that they can get going as well."
Daphne frantically began to fix her hair and smooth out the creases in her dress. "Tell me, in earnest, do I look fine?" she asked Isadora, who chuckled in response.
"You look beautiful," she said.
But it was too late to make any changes, for she heard footsteps approaching down the hallway. Ambrose paused at the doorway, and her sisters got up to greet him.
"Your Grace," Felicity said with a warm smile. "Welcome to Alborne Manor."
"It is my pleasure being here," he smiled. Even though Daphne stood behind her sisters, not immediately in in view, his gaze found her immediately. As though he had been looking for her all along. It lingered for a moment there.
"Lady Daphne," he greeted.
"Your Grace," she replied, feeling her heart beat fasten. It was so unlike her connection with Richard – who could recite flowery sonnets to her and she would have no reaction. With Ambrose, all he had to do was say her name and her heart fluttered like a butterfly in spring.
"I trust that you have an evening planned with the men, Your Grace?" Annie spoke.
"Yes," he nodded, "They have been kind enough to invite me out with them. I look forward to getting to know them all."
"I believe we should arrange something after the wedding where you can spend some time with us sisters as well," Felicitysuggested. "Even though we have heard much about you from Daphne, we would love to get to you more closely."
"Of course. I would love that as well," Ambrose admitted. "The three of you have been an important presence in Lady Daphne's life."
"Then we shall get together whenever all of our husbands, and you are available to," Joyce nodded, enthusiastically. "I believe we can tell you some stories about our little sister that you might find amusing."
Daphne felt her cheeks redden, but Ambrose turned to look at her with a teasing smirk.
"Is that so?" he said, "Well, then, I'd be more than happy to do that tonight even."
"There is no need," Daphne intervened, embarrassed.
"Do not worry, Daphne," Joyce continued with her teasing, "We will certainly not tell the Duke anything embarrassing. Especially not the time when you climbed the tree in the garden, and remained stuck there until–"
"Enough," Felicity intervened with a chuckle, "Let us not try to tease our little sister anymore. She is the bride to be."
"Perhaps another time then," Ambrose said, "Because I quite enjoy teasing Daphne as well."
"Then you and I shall get along perfectly," Joyce laughed, "Is it not adorable how she turns into a little red tomato whenever teased?"
A look crossed on Ambrose's face, as if he wanted to say thatadorablewas not the word he would use. But he nodded instead with a smile. "Indeed."
The sound of merry laughter and footsteps came from upstairs, as the men made their way downstairs.
"There he is, the groom-to-be!" Joyce's husband, Lord Riverton called out, enthusiastically.
He was followed by Lord Swinton and Lord Voss, who both had bright smiles lighting up their face.
