Page 47 of Romancing Daphne

“Long enough for the majority of his audience to make covert exits.”

“And you have remained because . . . ?”

“Because we were unwise enough to place ourselves too close for our departure to go unnoticed.”

For some reason, James felt like smiling every time he caught the slightest glimpse of Miss Lancaster’s dimple. It was not the only thing about her that captured his attention in that moment. Her hair was different, softer. It did not pull backward with the same tension as it once had. A few tendrilshad even been left loose. That was likely an odd thing for a gentleman to notice, and he could not say with any certainty why he had.

“You’ve changed your hair,” he said.

Her nod was small, uncertain, and an easily distinguishable question hung in her eyes.

“I like it very much,” he said.

Her thank-you was quiet but sincere. She looked as though she was about to say something more, but Father interrupted.“And you, Miss Lancaster? Do you agree?”

“Agree with what, precisely, Lord Techney?” Her color heightened.

James lightly rested his hand on the back of her arm, hoping she recognized the gesture as the offer of support he intended it to be. Somethingabout the contact proved comforting to him as well.

“We were discussing the need during these tumultuous times in our nation for greater responsibility amongst the citizenry,” Father said.

“And amongst the government,” Miss Lancaster added.

“How do you mean?” Father clearly hadn’t been expecting anything beyond a blanket acceptance of his position.

Miss Lancaster only shook her head. She seemed to inch closer to James.

“Father—”

“I would like to hear what she means,” Father cut across him.“Do you feel the government is beingirresponsible, Miss Lancaster? Perhaps you are unaware of the many issues Parliament is even now addressing, the crucial votes which are being cast.”

James inwardly winced at his father’s condescending tone. The family was often the recipient of such treatment from Father, leaving Mother in tears, Ben in hurt silence, and James increasingly frustrated at his inability to shield those he cared for from Father’s coldness.

Miss Lancaster spoke again, her voice no louder than before.“My ignorance, Lord Techney, is not so great that I do not realize those crucial decisions to which you refer are made only by those members of Parliament who bother to be present when the votes are being cast. Many are here in Townbut feel their time is better spent on pleasure jaunts and social matters.”

A palpable hit, to be sure. Father hadn’t attended Lords in some weeksand not consistently before then. Many votes of importance were cast without him.

For once, Father seemed at a loss.

The duchess, however, appeared quite pleased.“Lord Tilburn,” Her Grace said,“would you be so good as to escort my sister and I to those chairson the other side of the drawing room? I feel the need to sit . . . over there.”

“I would be honored to escort you both.”

Her Grace allowed not the slightest hint of a smile.“How veryresponsibleof you.”

James was old enough to vaguely remember the gossip surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Kielder’s marriage. Most of Society could not comprehend what had brought the two together. James could understand something of what His Grace saw in his wife—an intelligent, capable woman with an admirable degree of backbone.

“Will this do?” James asked when they reached a small cluster of chairs at the opposite end of the drawing room.

“Perfectly,” the duchess replied. She sat, her posture ever so slightly slumped, as though she was particularly tired.

Miss Lancaster hesitated.“I hope I did not offend your father.” She looked concerned.“I am accustomed to debating with Adam, who prefers directness to diplomacy.”

“Allow me to worry about my father. I believe your sister would appreciate your attention.”

The distress did not leave Miss Lancaster’s expression. She turned enoughto speak privately with him.“Persephone has seemed a touch unwell for afew days now. Without Adam here to look after her, I worry she will overtax herself.”

“You need only tell me if she requires anything.”

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