She folded her hands in her lap and turned toward Natalie. “I’d like to learn how to flirt.”
“Have you decided on a mark then?” Natalie asked.
Daphne shook her head, the ribbons of her bonnet tickling her throat. She only knew that it would not be Marcus.
“You needn’t have a gentleman in mind,” Pippa smiled, “so long as you are ready when the opportunity presents itself.”
Despite the heat spreading through her body, Daphne pulled the wool lap blanket tighter against her. “How will I know when that happens?”
Pippa grinned, her eyes bright. “First you will have to find yourself alone with a gentleman. Once that happens you can flirt with him. Lean in close, bat your lashes. That kind of thing.”
“Truly, men are easy to charm.” Natalie smiled.
“Not for me, they’re not,” Daphne said.
Natalie leaned toward her, her gaze sympathetic. “Only because you’ve not had much practice.”
Daphne could no more deny the truth of Natalie’s statement then she could the color of the sky. Despite her three seasons, she’d never had a gentleman caller—not one. She’d never gone on an outing in the park or for ices at Gunters with a gentleman. She’d only danced a handful of sets at balls. In truth, Daphne hadn’t any idea how to charm a gentleman. She was extremely uncomfortable with the whole business.
“We are going to fix that problem the moment we return.” Pippa beamed at Daphne from across the carriage. “And tonight Natalie and I will help you dress for the musical.”
“That would be lovely,” Daphne said as she fought her rising anxiety. She most certainly wanted their assistance, but at the same time feared the outcome. Boldness had never been one of her traits, and she doubted her ability to utilize it now.
She plucked at the edge of the lap blanket as she tried to imagine herself batting her eyelashes at a gentleman. Marcus’s image flooded her mind and before she realized what she was doing, she started batting her lashes at the empty space before her.
“Have you something in your eyes?” Natalie asked, concern lacing her voice.
“No. I was P…practicing.”
Her cousins’ laughter filled the carriage. “Practicing what?”
“Batting my lashes.” Daphne’s cheeks burned at the admission as well as the fact that she’d clearly done it wrong.
Natalie sobered as she studied Daphne. "It looked as though you were frantically attempting to clear dust from your eyes. If you go about doing that to gentlemen, you'll no doubt frighten them."
Pippa leaned forward to place her hand over Daphne’s. “Do not let her embarrass you. We all had to learn from someone.” She gave a sympathetic smile. “Think of batting your eyelashes more like a slow succession of flutters. Like a butterfly’s wings”
Daphne watched as Pippa demonstrated. She fluttered her lashes first concealing and then revealing her eyes in a slow succession.
“It is also important to keep a sweet set to your lips while flirting. Small, coy smiles work well.” Again Pippa demonstrated. “Now you try.”
Daphne allowed her mouth to relax before pasting a smile onto her lips. Angling her head slightly downward, she fluttered her lashes. Though she felt like a cake for doing so, there was a measure of triumph when Natalie clapped her hands.
“Bravo, cousin.”
“You’re a natural,” Pippa added.
Natalie repositioned her feet closer to the warming block. “Pay mind to the gentleman you are flirting with. If he gazes into your eyes for more than a moment, you’ll know you’ve captured his interest.”
Marcus’s had held her gaze last night. Daphne could still feel his bold blue eyes burning into hers. But then he’d not honored her request. Had she imagined their connection? She must have for he made no attempt to kiss her despite her invitation.
She glanced between Pippa and Natalie. “Are you certain?”
“Without a doubt,” Pippa said. “A man only gazes at a woman he’s interested in.”
Daphne nibbled at her lower lip as she pondered their advice. “Might he do the same out of concern or curiosity?”
“Those are forms of interest and you can use them to your advantage.” Natalie angled her head a fraction, studying Daphne. “Has someone been gazing at you?”
