Page 112 of Romancing Daphne

Her eyes met his, worried and sad.“He thinks you are my Uncle Robert?”

“He often thinks Mrs. Ashton is his mother.” James wanted Daphne to understand that any lack of recognition had nothing to do with her or her father’s valuation of her but with the state of his mind.

“Thought I’d go riding today.”Mr. Lancaster’s raspy voice brought their attention back to him.

“Do you mind if I introduce you to a pretty young lady before you head to the stables?” James asked. He’d learned during his first visits to Mr.Lancaster that it was best to go along with whatever mental wanderings seized the gentleman.

“Always time for a pretty girl.”Mr. Lancaster’s declaration preceded a bout of deep, continual coughing.

The usually stalwart Daphne stood in obvious distress, her eyes bleak. James rubbed her upper back with his free hand.

After sipping from the cup Mrs. Ashton pressed to his lips and muttering a very childlike“Thank you, Mama,” Mr. Lancaster turned his attention back to James and Daphne.“Halloo, Robert,” he said, having forgotten he’d addressed him already.“Didn’t hear you come in.”

James didn’t reply. Mr. Lancaster’s attention was fixed on his daughter,though he likely had no idea who she really was.

“She looks like my Daphne,” Mr. Lancaster said in an offhand manner.

“Does she now?” James shifted his hand to Daphne’s far shoulder, as near to an embrace as he’d allow himself in company.

“A smart girl, my Daphne.”Mr. Lancaster’s words came out breathy as he struggled to fill his lungs once more.“Just a little thing, with quite a good head on her shoulders.”

“I’ve heard that about her,” James answered. Beside him, Daphne had grown pale, her eyes fixed on her father.

“Just like her mother.” Mr. Lancaster nodded slowly, gaze wanderingabout.“Pretty but quick, with wit and brains.” His voice grew ever quieter.“Like her mother.”

“No doubt she’ll make a good match one day,” James said.

Mr. Lancaster looked at him then, brow drawn in obvious irritation.“Already married. To me, you bounder.” He followed that declaration withseveral epithets Daphne ought not to have been privy to.

James whispered an apology.“He does not recollect himself enough to hold his tongue.” To Mr. Lancaster he said,“I meant Daphne.”

“I have a girl named Daphne.” Mr. Lancaster drew in several difficultbreaths.“Cute little thing. Likes to sit on my lap. Asks the smartest questions.”

When he dissolved into coughs, Mrs. Ashton provided his glass of water once more. She looked across at James, communicating withoutwords that perhaps they ought to draw the visit to a conclusion. He knew the gentleman’s endurance was all but nonexistent.

He nodded his understanding.“We should let him rest,” he whispered to Daphne.

She remained entirely mute as he led her by the hand from the room. James closed the door behind them. The corridor was blessedly empty, providing him with a moment to gauge how overset she might be.

“I hope that was not too upsetting, Daphne.”

She fought with her composure. He could not very well leave her in the corridor battling emotions for anyone to see. She would be mortified.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her to the small sitting room nearby. It was empty, so he left the door ajar.

Daphne leaned her head against his shoulder when he sat beside her on the sofa. She sighed. James took her hand in his.

“I understand what you meant now when you said my father remembered me but did not recognize me.”

“He has spoken about all of you at one time or another,” James said.“Though he shifts unpredictably between believing himself a child and speaking of his own children.”

“He remembers us, then?”

“All of you except Artemis. He does not seem to have any recollection of her. Mrs. Ashton believes he remembers his family as it was before his wife’s death but has shut out any memory afterward.”

“He was rarely with us afterward,” Daphne said.“Actually, that is notentirely accurate either. He spoke at times with the boys and quite a lot with Persephone. But not often with Athena. He never really acknowledged Artemis.”

“And what of you, Daphne? How was he with you?”

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