"Sneaking some time with the bride, are we now, Your Grace?" Lord Swinton spoke up next. "I do not blame you for it, such anticipation is only natural days before a wedding."
"Why, I had the same," Lord Voss laughed, stealing a glance over at his wife. "But tonight is meant to be spent with the men."
Daphne watched the entire exchanged in shock. This was their first time interacting with the Duke, and yet they were behaving so candidly with him as though they had known him all their lives.
Like real brothers.
By the look on Ambrose's face, he seemed to be having similar thoughts. For a moment, Daphne worried if they had gone too far in their frankness, but Ambrose eased her worries by responding with a good natured smile.
"I have much to learn from you gentleman, it seems," he nodded politely.
"Oh, that is the right spirit," Lord Riverton guffawed. "Good to know that you are not trying to get out of the nights festivities."
Ambrose raised a brow at him. "I assure you, I've no intention of avoiding anything."
"Ah, don't get all serious on us now," Lord Swinton said, slinging an arm around Ambrose's shoulders as if they were old friends. "We have plans for the night. It's tradition, you know."
Daphne smiled as she watched them all together. There was something heartwarming about seeing Ambrose in this light, surrounded by people who cared for him in such a natural and easy manner. It was a reminder that even he, with all his responsibilities and the weight of his title, could have moments of simplicity and warmth.
"We should get going then," Lord Riverton and Lord Voss took the lead, and made their way to the door. Ambrose lingered around for a moment, his eyes searching for Daphne once again.
"Ladies," he nodded politely to her sisters, "Lady Daphne," he said.
And then without warning and in front of everyone, he winked at her.
Winked!
Daphne felt her cheeks heat up again, and she quickly gazed to the floor. When the door closed, her sisters erupted in laughter.
"Oh, did you see that?" Annie giggled, bringing one of her hands to cover her mouth. "He's a sly one, isn't he?"
Joyce grinned, and nudged Daphne softly with her elbow, "You're going to have quite the wedding night."
Daphne's eyes widened, "Joyce!" she hissed, but could not suppress the girlish giggle that escaped her mouth at the insinuation.
"The Duke seems as though he can hardly wait," Annie added further fuel to the fire.
It was clear that her sisters loved to embarrass their youngest sibling. No matter how old she got, she was always going to be their little one.
But not everyone was in on the joke. Both Isadora and Violet exchanged confused glances. "What are you all talking about?" Violet asked, tilting her head.
Isadora furrowed her brow. "You mean he cannot wait for the wedding ceremony? To see her in the gown?"
That only made Joyce and Felicity laugh harder, leaving Daphne torn between amusement and mortification.
Daphne waved her hand dismissively at her friends. "Nothing, nothing at all. Just... you'll find out one day."
But now that her sisters had brought it up, she could scarcely stop thinking about it. Their wedding night – Felicity had given her the talk earlier in the week, of what she must expect. According to her, it was the purest union of two people in love.
The thought of it made her stomach flutter, and crimson sprout across her cheeks. Perhaps her sisters were right that the Duke could hardly wait. But what they failed to mention was that she could not wait either.
CHAPTER 27
"Oh, Daphne, I hope you've practiced your Duchess wave," Violet said, chirpily.
The two friends, Violet and Isadora, stood next to Daphne in the bridal suite. Isadora was busy fixing Daphne's veil, but Violet seemed to be in a much more playful mood.
The day of the wedding had finally arrived.
