Page 30 of Romancing Daphne

James stepped out onto the first-floor landing, and Daphne’s heart leapt at the sight of his familiar copper eyes.

“Forgive me, Your Grace. Your Grace.” He sketched a brief bow, his tone indicating a degree of anxiety that caught Daphne’s attention.“I had intended to greet you upon your arrival”—his gaze encompassed all four of them—“but my mother has been unwell. At the time your carriage was announced, I was attempting to comfort her.”

Was his mother often unwell? Perhaps that was the reason she, according to a great many comments made during their at-home earlier in the day, had not come to Town in at least twenty years.

“I hope Lady Techney recovers quickly,” Persephone answered on everyone’s behalf.

“As do I,” he said, again seeming to address them as a whole.“If you will follow Billingsley to the drawing room, my father and brother are waiting there.”

Adam offered Persephone his arm, ever the perfect gentleman where his wife was concerned. They followed the path the butler took. Artemis kept close on their heels.

“Good evening, Miss Artemis,” James said as she passed and received a very undramatic curtsy in return.

Daphne did her utmost not to wring her hands, all the while fearing their shaking was noticeable. Seeing James always set her stomach fluttering, simultaneously pleasing and unnerving her. It had always been this way, ever since that night on Adam’s balcony.

“Miss Lancaster.” He smiled a little awkwardly.

“Lord Tilburn.” Daphne was proud of the steadiness of her voice—nota hint of her nervousness had entered it.“I hope your mother is not seriously unwell.”

“She is not in any danger.” James’s worried, tense expression belied his confident words.“I fear, though, she is very uncomfortable.”

Artemis had not stepped entirely out of hearing range and, true to form, inserted herself in their conversation without invitation.“If your mother is ill, you must have Daphne recommend a tisane. It is her defining talent, you know.”

Did she have to point out one of Daphne’s oddities so early in the evening? The ability to recall herbal remedies was hardly a lauded accomplishment. James would think her strange, indeed.

“Have you a knack for such things?” Did he ask out of genuine curiosity or merely a desire to be polite?

“Oh yes,” Artemis said. “Even the apothecary we use at Falstone Castle cedes to Daphne’s expertise. She is an herbal genius.”

James walked with them down the corridor.“Does your sister exaggerate, or is this truly something you have studied?”

She heard no mockery in his tone nor saw dismissal in his expression. Others who heard of her interest in herbology responded with everything from disapproval to hurtful amusement.

“I have studied it,” she said.“Though I cannot say I would deem myself a genius.”

The look of concern that yet remained on James’s face echoed many such moments in her own life. How often she had worried over the health of her family members. Having the ability to help them with the knowledge she’d gained had always been a comfort.

“Perhaps if you told me, at least in general terms, what is ailing your mother, I could suggest something.”

“You would do that for a woman you’ve never met?”

“Certainly.” Why did that seem to surprise him so much?“If she is unwell and I can help, I would like to.”

James’s brow furrowed. Daphne felt suddenly very unsure. Did he disapprove of her forwardness in placing herself in the midst of his difficulties? They were not, after all, very well acquainted yet. She fumbled a moment in her mind, seeking a means of salvaging the situation.“Of course, if your mother would feel uncomfortable or if I have overstepped myself—”

But he shook his head without hesitation.“Not at all. I am only unaccustomed to offers of help, I suppose.”

“You are often left to fend for yourself?”

“I am often left to solve everyone’s problems on my own.”

Adam could be like that as well—independent to the point of isolation. Persephone had a talent for undermining his hardheaded insistence on doing things himself.

“I would like to help if you will let me,” Daphne said.

“There is nothing specifically the matter with her,” James answered.“She simply feels unwell in general and,as a result, has not slept as she ought.”

Daphne nodded. One needed rest during an illness, and yet the misery that accompanied it often made sleeping difficult.“Do you think she is more in need of an invigorating tonic or something to help her sleep?”

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