Page 84 of Romancing Daphne

“Why is it that gentlemen can’t seem to abandon me fast enough?” she asked no one in particular.

She had been doing better. Resignation had very nearly given way tosomething resembling contentment. But then James had made his sudden appearance—a few words, a kindly glance—and she once again found herself in a battle against her own heart. She would wonder for just a moment if perhaps James’s most recent actions were indicative of some tender regard only to swiftly remind herself that she had misinterpreted his attentions inprecisely that way before with disastrous results.

Self-pity had become a dangerous tendency of hers lately, one shewould do well not to indulge. She rubbed a hand over the very spot on herarm where James had touched her two evenings before. That tiny contacthad nearly brought her to tears.

She missed James. She missed the connection she’d thought they’d had, the tenderness she’d imagined in his eyes, the attentions she’d believed were sincere.

Adam arrived at her side in the next instant.“For all his show of beinga rough-around-the-edges naval man, when it comes to dealing with thewomen of his family, Linus Lancaster is a blasted coward.” Adam motionedher ahead.“Now. Two more circuits, if you don’t mind.”

“Are you walking with me?” It was not the same as being granted anafternoon in his book room, but it was better than being left out entirely.

“No one else in this family can win a battle of the minds with you, so I suppose your well-being falls to me.” He motioned her ahead of him, back on the path that wove through the garden.

“Not even Persephone?”

“Shecould,” Adam answered.“But being the ideal husband I am, I mean to spare her that task.”

“How is she feeling?”

Adam shook his head.“None of your diversionary tactics. Persephone is not the topic at hand.”

They passed a rosebush, its fragrance strong, almost being overpowering.

“I am growing exceptionally weary of discussing my dashed hopes, Adam.”

He was unsympathetic.“Iam growing weary of suffering through a daily tragedy of Shakespearean proportions.”

She eyed him sidelong.“You are expecting me to stab myself in the family crypt?”

“I will stabmyselfin the family crypt if I have to endure your infuriatingly calm resignation one day more.”

For all Daphne loved him, Adam was not always a comfort in one’s time of need.“Resignation? You would rather I weep inconsolably?”

“Yes.”

She smiled at the ridiculousness of that.“You wish me to turn into Artemis?”

Adam kept walking, his gaze decidedly not wandering in her direction. Daphne knew what came next. He always grew uncomfortable with personal conversations.

“You have retreated, Daphne. I find myself confronted once more withthe little girl who came to live with me six years ago, who seldom spoke and rarely looked at anyone. I cannot like seeing this change in you.”

The comparison pricked at her. She felt like that little girl again inmany ways. The confidence she’d gained in the past half-dozen years had crumbled more than a bit, as had the assurance that her timidity and comparative plainness weren’t the hindrance to happiness she’d once believedthem to be. She was working very hard to keep the pain at bay.

A sudden commotion cut off whatever he meant to say next. People were rushing in and out of Westminster, voices raised in obvious panic.

“What the blazes is going on?” Adam muttered. He cupped her elbow with his hand and led her in that direction, eyeing the comings and goings.“Hartley.” He called out to his fellow duke. “What is all this commotion?”

His Grace turned toward them, and Daphne knew on the instant that something truly terrible had happened. “Perceval’s been shot in Commons.”

Merciful heavens.

“Is the Prime Minister dead?” Adam asked.

“No one seems to know for sure.” They were all moving very nearly at a run. “It is chaos. Utter chaos. Who knows how many others might be lying in wait with pistols at the ready.”

Assassins in the halls of Parliament?Daphne forced herself to breathe normally and keep calm.

“We must not allow this government to come to a standstill at the handsof murderers.” Adam twisted the handle of his walking stick a half turn in one direction followed by a full turn in the other and pulled anépée fromwithin its wooden sheath. “Let’s go clear the corridors.”

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