Lulia gave a gentle smile. “Daphne?”
Daphne drew in a slow breath, exhaling it even slower. “Yes. Tell me.”
You are not destined to be alone. Love may enter your life, true love. The deeply seeded kind that inspires poems and endures for all time." She recaptured Daphne's hand then peeled her glove off. "See this?" She trailed her fingertip over the line below Daphne's pinky.
Daphne nodded, tears pricking her eyes once more. The hope welling within her was nearly too much for her to handle.
“This is your love line. It’s straight and long indicating a deep and long love.”
Natalie rested one hand on her hip, cocking it slightly as a smug grin spread over her face. “See, Daphne, I told you there was nothing to fear. You need only get out of your own way. Stop hiding in corners and welcome love to find you.”
Daphne could not argue for she’d long been a wallflower. Her cousin understood her well and knew her even better. All the same, Daphne would never be comfortable in crowds the way that Natalie was. She simply wasn’t the outgoing social butterfly that her cousin was.
Lulia gave a gentle squeeze to Daphne’s hand before releasing it. “I’m afraid your situation is not as simple as all that. Love will not just land in your lap.”
Daphne pulled her lower lip in, nibbling on it. This entire conversation was lunacy. She should not be engaging in any of it. Mama would not approve, and the emotional toll on Daphne was quickly proving too much.
“Your time is coming to an end. If you do not receive a kiss by Christmastide, you will continue through life unwed.”
“Christmastide?” Daphne’s hands shook, her heart crumbling as any hope she’d had fled. “That is impossible. It’s but a fortnight away and I haven’t a single admirer. Worse, I will be leaving for the country on the marrow.”
Natalie took her elbow and leaned closer. “Stop being so dramatic. It’s not at all like you to behave in such a way.”
“You’re right and I’m sorry, but you know I speak the truth.” Daphne would be spending the holiday at Natalie’s family home, Harington Gardens. Her uncle, the Duke of Sheridan insisted the entire family grace him with their presence, and her mama and papa had readily agreed.
Not that Daphne minded, she enjoyed spending time at the sprawling estate as well as with Natalie, but finding a suitor would prove impossible. She couldn’t very well go around the village hoping for random strangers to kiss her and the estate would be full of her relations. It was hopeless.
“You are giving up before you even begin.” Natalie wrapped an arm around Daphne pulling her close. “But all is not lost, you’ll see.”
Lulia gave a sympathetic grin. “Trust in your future and make things happen. You’ll be glad you did.”
Daphne nodded, portraying a confidence she most defiantly did not feel. She feared the only thing any of them would be seeing was her fast becoming an old maid. All the same, she would embrace the bit of hope Lulia had bestowed on her as well as Natalie’s encouragement and hope for something more.
One fortnight, fourteen days…Soon she would know her future.
Chapter 2
Harrington Gardens, England
Daphne alighted from her families’ carriage, following her parents like the dutiful daughter she was. The ride from London had been unbearably long with none other than Mama and Father to keep her company. Daphne had found in near impossible to keep Lulia’s fortune from her mind and desperately wished to discuss it with someone. Alas, she’d remained silent on the topic as she well knew that Mama would not approve.
Had Natalie arrived yet? Daphne hoped so for it would give her someone to talk about the fortune with. She arched her back and rolled her shoulders, glancing around at the other nearby carriages. None bore the Nightly crest, but that did not mean much of anything. Natalie may well have arrived the previous day or even earlier this morning. She would ask after her once they were inside.
Pulling her cloak tight against her to block out the cold winter air, Daphne followed her parents up the stairs and into the foyer. She smiled sweetly at the butler when he bowed in welcome then handed her cloak to a footman. “Pray tell, is Lady St. Vella in residence?” She asked the butler.
A deep voice answered from behind, “She’s in the rose parlor.”
“Thank you.” Daphne pivoted to face the direction of the voice and her smile widened at the sight of Natalie’s brother, Bradford. “Hello cousin,” she said as he approached.
Bradford took her hand and dropped a familial kiss on her knuckles. “You look lovely as always.” He bowed to her parents before kissing her Mama’s knuckles. “Welcome Aunt and Uncle. I trust your travels were not too tedious.”
Their ensuing conversation drifted from Daphne’s attention as Marcus Wentworth, the Earl of Clarendon, approached. He lived on a neighboring estate and was a long time friend of Bradford’s. Once upon a time, he had been her friend too. Not that they’d had a falling out or any such unpleasantness, no, they’d simply grown apart as they’d aged.
One day they were all ice skating together and then before she’d known what happened, Bradford and his friends had no time for her, or Natalie, or any of the girls they’d previously played with. Good grief, she was staring at him as though he were the most interesting thing she’d ever laid eyes on. Her cheeks warmed at the realization and she averted her gaze.
A moment later she glanced up, her gaze roaming over his polished hessians, tight-fitting grey trousers, and snug waistcoat before meeting his familiar blue eyes. My but he'd grown handsome—strikingly so. It was no wonder he'd earned himself the title of rogue. A man possessing such good looks could hardly help it if woman chased after him. But then, he didn't have to take liberties simply because they swooned at his feet.
“Lady Daphne, it’s been a long time.” He bowed.
