Page 26 of Cinderella's Charade With the Duke
‘But I do it for Millie,’ he rushed out. ‘She is quite taken with her.’
‘Oh? Is she the only one? Or perhaps you are quite taken with her yourself?’ she whispered and lifted a brow at him as they walked out of the parlour.
‘Cousin, you know I am not interested in an attachment of any kind.’
She smirked at him as they walked into the dining room, and she leaned close to his ear. ‘Perhaps, but you also did not answer my question,Cousin.’
William would have rebuked her quip if they were not already deep into the dining room and headed towards their chairs. Millie smiled and rushed to Daphne, colliding with her legs and hugging her. His cousin stooped and kissed his daughter’s cheeks one at a time and lavished her with praise and well wishes before she disengaged and stood.
She glanced to William.
‘Lady Buchanan, let me introduce you to Miss Potts, our new governess. Miss Potts, this is my cousin, Lady Daphne Buchanan.’
Millie rushed back to her seat as Daphne and Miss Potts exchanged pleasantries. Seeing the women side by side was strange. Despite having similar builds, their features and colouring were in sharp contrast. Daphne was blonde, green eyed and wore a soft periwinkle-blue gown while Miss Potts was brunette with equally dark eyes in her signature plain-dress style. Today it was dark grey. While an improvement over her brown dress, it left little to enhance her looks. He wondered what they would make of each other.
William shouldn’t have worried. The women chatted along easily at dinner and, despite not joining in, Millie’s gaze was bright and interested as she listened and watched them talk. At times, his daughter smiled and even turned to him, as if she, too, approved of their dinner companions. It set William at ease in a way he hadn’t expected and their dinner together ended far too soon. Even though he’d missed his usual time at dusk with Millie due to their extended meal, she kissed his cheek and left with hernurse willingly for bed. The dinner had been a success even if his cousin hadn’t agreed to help him.
Miss Potts excused herself not long after and the evening ended the way it had begun, with him saying goodbye to his cousin in the parlour. He helped her with her coat and she faced him as she fastened the clasp at the throat. ‘I have thought over your plan, Liam. I will help you.’
At first, he didn’t move. But then he hugged her fiercely, pressing a kiss to her cheek. ‘Thank you,’ he said.
She laughed. ‘I do not know if it will work, mind you,’ she added. ‘But I will help you in whatever way I can. I will compile a list tonight of what she needs to know and I will arrive tomorrow to begin preparations.’
‘Thank you, Daphne. I owe you.’
She smiled widely as he opened the door for her. ‘Yes, Cousin, you will. And I cannot wait for the day to collect such a favour.’ She winked at him and he laughed as he watched her walk down the front steps towards her waiting carriage.
William closed the door and turned to find Mrs Chisholm and Mr Simmons standing behind him. Although a bit startled, he wasn’t entirely surprised to see them waiting in the wings for news of how his dinner went with his cousin. He smiled. ‘She has agreed to help us. Lady Buchanan will return tomorrow with a list of what Miss Potts needs to know.’
Mrs Chisholm clapped her hands together. ‘That is splendid news, Your Grace.’ Even Mr Simmons appeared to sigh in relief. The outcome of the evening could not have been better.
‘Mademoiselle Dashiell is also supposed to return tomorrow for the fittings of gowns for Miss Potts. Having Lady Buchanan here to oversee such matters will be helpful,’ Mrs Chisholm added.
‘Ah, yes. I agree,’ William added. ‘Things are coming together. And how are the actual preparations for the ball itself proceeding? I know I am asking a great deal of you both right now.’
‘All is on schedule, Your Grace,’ Simmons replied.
‘Excellent.’
‘Miss Potts wished to speak with you before you retired this eve, Your Grace,’ Mrs Chisholm said. ‘She is in the study awaiting you.’
William’s heart thudded in his chest. What if she had changed her mind? The momentary thought of it sickened him, but he wouldn’t know unless he went to speak with her. There was no need to put it off.
‘Thank you. I will see her now.’
Mrs Chisholm dropped her voice low. ‘I believe she is nervous after meeting your cousin. Perhaps if you told her how she will be assisting, it will put her mind at ease.’
He sighed. ‘Yes. Thank you both.’
They nodded and replied kindly, and everyone travelled off in different directions. In hindsight, perhaps William should have told Miss Potts why he had invited his cousin to join them for dinner this evening beforehand, but he didn’t wish to raise hopes in case Daphne had not agreed to assist them in their scheme. The fact that she had was a delightful surprise. William had thought his chances of success were negligible. He was utterly pleased to be wrong.
He entered the room with a spring in his step. Miss Potts stood before the window, looking out at the crescent moon that hung high over the hillside.
‘Good evening, Miss Potts. I hope you enjoyed dining with Lady Buchanan.’
She turned and the emotion in her face knocked the wind out of him and he came to a stop. The next words died on his lips.
She attempted a smile, but it fell flat. ‘I did. She is lovely, Your Grace. I feel horrible about the idea of deceiving her…and everyone else for that matter.’ She rubbed her injured shoulder.
