Page 40 of A Match Made in London
Tristan chuckled. “Have I told you what a brilliant decision it was on your part to marry Imogen?”
“Yes,” Willbridge grinned, satisfaction evident in every line of his face, “but you may say it again as many times as you please, for I happen to agree with you wholeheartedly.”
Daphne appeared at the top of the stairs then. “Caleb, you are needed upstairs. Oh, Tristan! We did not expect to see you until tonight at Lady Harper’s.”
“Are you staying in London, then?” he asked as she descended the stairs.
“Of course, silly man. Imogen would not have it any other way, though I did offer to return home with my darling brother.”
“Oh yes,” Caleb drawled as Daphne joined them, “you were so insistent.”
Daphne shrugged. “Do you blame me for wishing to stay? Even though my dearest Mariah will be traveling with Imogen and Caleb, and so I will be quite lonely. Still, I’m certain Lord Poncy will offer for me any day, and I do not want that horrid Glynis Cowper getting the jump on me.”
Willbridge rolled his eyes, then turned to Tristan. “I know I told you I don’t wish you to keep an eye on her when I leave town, but can you at least see that my sister does not cause too large a scandal?”
Tristan grinned. “I’ll do my best. But you know Daphne.”
“Yes, I do that,” Willbridge muttered darkly before, a rueful smile lightening his face, he shook Tristan’s hand and hurried off.
Tristan raised a brow at Daphne as Willbridge strode away. “Lord Poncy now, is it? I thought you had your heart set on Barnaby Noble.”
Her lips pushed out in a pout. “Mr. Noble offered for Viola Thorpe two days ago, or haven’t you heard? I was quite heartbroken, though you did not notice. But Lord Poncy…” She sighed, her eyes going hazy. “Oh, I’m sure he is the one. So handsome, so attentive.”
“So rich and titled,” Tristan teased.
“Oh, stop it, you.” She slapped at his arm. “But I know you did not come here to tease me, though you do enjoy it so. Tell me, what drove you from your home that you could not even remember to don your outerwear?”
The imp was much too observant. “How do you know the butler did not take them when I arrived?”
“Because the butler is currently upstairs overseeing the packing, you dolt. Out with it, then, for you know I shall not let it go until you spill all.”
“Yes, I know,” he grumbled. “Fine, I shall tell you. But not here.”
Triumph gleamed in Daphne’s pale green eyes. “Come into the sitting room. It is empty presently, and you may regale me with whatever spectacular mistake you have made.”
Tristan grumbled but followed. It was to her credit that she did not pester him until they were comfortably ensconced. Once he settled his posterior on the settee’s plush cushions, however, Daphne was ready for him.
“So tell me, what female has you so turned around?”
He scowled. “How can you be sure it’s a female?”
“Because I know you. You have a look about you, all feverish and cold at once. And as far as I know, there is only one thing that causes such a look in a person, and that is thwarted desires.”
Tristan gaped at her. “You are barely eighteen and have only just come out. What the devil do you know about thwarted desires?”
“Never mind that,” she said in lofty tones. When he continued to gape at her, his expression no doubt colored by the outrage that was quickly overtaking him, she rolled her eyes. “Please, you know me better than that. Do you honestly think I have been promiscuous?”
“Do you mean to tell me you haven’t been kissing all these men you have fallen for?”
“Oh, I’ve kissed a fair few,” she said, waving a slender hand in the air in dismissal.
“Daphne!”
“What? Why are you surprised? Especially since you were the first of the bunch to kiss me?”
His face flamed. It was too true, he had fancied her last summer. And he had kissed her. But they had blessedly come to their senses and seen there was nothing between them, nipping it in the proverbial bud.
Besides, if Willbridge heard them talking of it, he’d have his head. Again.
