Page 69 of The Best of Friends
“We’d best be on our way,” Duke said. “Toss’s real reason for remaining behind tonight is finally free of her responsibilities.” Duke rose, as did Colm and Fennel. “We’ll see you at Falstone House in the morning.”
Toss nodded as he, too, got to his feet. They meant to spend the next day faffing about. The Huntresses were going to meet at a dress shop to... shop for dresses, he assumed.
He walked with his friends to the entryway, where Tobias crossed their paths. Farewells were made as well as excitement expressed about spending the next day together. Daria stood nearer the stairs, just outside the door to a sitting room. Toss quickly abandoned the men and moved to stand with her.
“I suspect you are exhausted,” he said.
She nodded. “But I think the evening went well.”
“I listened as the guests mingled over their refreshments. Everyone had unending praise for the evening, and I heard not a single complaint.”
Daria brushed an errant hair away from her eye. She did look tired. “We almost had a disaster at the end of the performances. Father didn’t seem to realize he could simply conclude that portion of the evening. But I couldn’t tell him that, as he would have blamed me for embarrassing him. But he likely would have been just as angry with me fornottelling him and leaving him there looking befuddled in front of his very impressive guests.” She sighed. “Sometimes living with my parents feels impossible.”
“One of the reasons you are exhausted, no doubt.” How he wanted to pull her into his arms again. That had seemed to help in the past. It had certainly helped him.
“Exhausted but not defeated.” Her soft but determined smile spoke of a quiet strength too few recognized. “My parents aren’t likely to change. I’m just glad to have found a way to survive that.”
“You deserve to do far more than merely survive.” His hand brushed her arm.
She looked up at him. “Laurence was so terrible to you tonight.”
“I knew he would be,” Toss said. “Turning your father’s wrath away from you was well worth Laurence’s lecture, I assure you.”
She set her hand on his where it rested on her arm. “He ought to recognize how talented you are. But I suppose he is like my parents in that regard; he cannot see anything he hasn’t already decided to believe.”
“He’ll forevermore believe that Miss Daria Mullins can expertly put him in his place.” Toss couldn’t help his grin. “I doubt the formidable Artemis Jonquil could have managed it better. It was... beautiful.”
She laughed a little, a beautiful, heart-lifting sound. “I was terrified. I think my knocking knees were louder than my actual voice.”
He leaned closer to her. “I sometimes suspect you don’t realize how remarkable you are.”
Even in the dim candlelight, he could see a blush steal over her cheeks. “After tonight’s triumph, Anglesey doesn’t loomquiteso large and threatening on the horizon.”
He took hold of her hand and pressed a light kiss to her fingers. “I would cross every county in this kingdom to spend even one fleeting moment with you, my darling Daria. And no matter how impossible it feels right now, I refuse to believe that fate will be so cruel as to tear us apart.”
“I believe in you, Thomas Comstock.”
How powerful those six words proved in that moment. Laurence didn’t believe in him. The Royal Society of Musicians didn’t. Toss himself didn’t always. But Daria did.
He bent ever closer, her sparkling eyes drawing him in. The floral scent of her perfume wrapped around him, holding him there.
Tobias walked over from the now-empty front doorway. Stepping back once more was Toss’s only real option in that moment. Daria seemed to regret the distance as much as he did.
“The house is all but empty now.” Tobias paused for a moment at the first step at the bottom of the stairs. “Best make a quick farewell.”
Unfortunately, he was right.
Toss squeezed Daria’s hand. “Your musicale was a triumph, Daria. And you are, indeed, remarkable. Sleep well, and I’ll see you soon.”
“And if not, do you promise to send me more... flowers?” She set a hand on her locket.
“The very best my feeble attempts can produce.” How tempted he was to embrace her before departing, but her brother was still nearby. So he contented himself with one more tender kiss pressed to her hand. “Good night, my darling Daria.”
Colm was waiting outside when Toss stepped through the front door. “I thought you might appreciate not walking to your brothers’ house.” He motioned to the carriage nearby.
“Thank you.” He’d not even thought of that complication.
They were soon seated inside and on their way.
