Page 6 of Romancing Daphne

She let her disenchantment show.“And these are the gems with whom Persephone wishes me to spend the next few months?”

Adam was clearly not willing to debate. He stood mutely, waiting.

“Why could we not spend the afternoon in our usual way?” Daphne tried a different approach. “Would not an hour spent in your book room discussing the issues of the day or simply reading quietly be a more pleasant use of our time?”

She had begun spending every afternoon with Adam shortly aftercoming to live with her sister and brother-in-law years earlier. Persephone, however, insisted that Daphne begin making calls and receiving callers as the other ladies of thetondid. Not only was Daphne to be forced into social interactions, something she severely disliked, but she was also to bedenied her afternoons with Adam, something she treasured.

“You know better than to expect me to contradict your sister.” He was unwaveringly devoted to his wife.

There would be no avoiding her obligations. She took a fortifying breath—a tactic Adam himself had taught her when she was young and often too shy to leave the house.

“I suppose I must report to the drawing room for Persephone’s at-home.” She stepped toward the door.“Shall I provide you with a detailed recounting afterward?”

“Actually”—he caught up to her and guided her into the corridor—“I will be joining you.”

“Youare attending an at-home? Has someone informed theTimes? This could be the lead story.” Though she teased him, Adam’s presence at tea was entirely unprecedented.

“One remark like that and I will have you locked inside Almack’s and force you to listen to Lady Jersey prattle for hours on end until you apologize in abject humiliation, you impudent child.”

Daphne smiled inwardly. Adam did have a flare for colorful threats.

Persephone was standing at the center of the drawing room whenDaphne and Adam arrived, supervising the setting out of tea and finger foodsfor the guests who were anticipated.

“Adam, are you joining us this afternoon?” Persephone laughed, obviously convinced her husband had no intention of remaining.

“I am,” he said.

The look of surprise on Persephone’s face was very nearly comical.“What, may I ask, has brought on this unexpected change? I doubt you have suddenly grown fond of Society.”

“I would like nothing better than to see the lot of them fall into the Thames and never be heard from again.”

Persephone’s brow pulled down. “Are you planning to abscond with them, here, this afternoon, and deliver them to their watery graves? Because I warn you, there will be no kidnapping during my at-home, Adam Boyce.”

“I won’t abduct or shoot any of your guests. Beyond that, I make no promises.”

With a grace Daphne had never possessed, Persephone glided to Adam’s side and slipped her hand in his, pulling him to a nearby sofa. Shesat close to his side, a smile touching her face. Daphne enjoyed watching thetwo of them together. To be so loved by another person. She had wantedthat all her life.

She’d been but twelve years old when James Tilburn had captured her heart. She always thought of him as James Tilburn, both names together. He, however, likely had no recollection of that meeting or of the timid girl who had been so touched by his kindness. She saw him about Town occasionally but never managed the courage to speak with him beyond the polite greetings customarily exchanged amongst very distant acquaintances.

“I have a feeling you have concocted some sort of plan, Adam,” Persephone said.“You simply must tell me what it is.”

“Not a plan, dear.” He held his wife’s hand in both of his.

“Then why remain? You seldom do.”

“Because today I have”—his gaze flicked briefly to Daphne—“invited a guest.”

A guest?

“And who is this guest?”Persephone’s curiosity had clearly been piqued.

“Do not press for information, as I have no intention of offering any.”

Daphne could see Persephone intended to do just that, and she silently encouraged her sister. Whom could he possibly have invited? Adam could not abide the company of anyone outside their intimate circle of family and close friends.

“Lady Genevieve,” the butler announced from the door of the drawing room.

Persephone shot Adam a questioning look.“Your guest?” she whispered.

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