Chapter 6

"Oh God, oh God…Oh God…"

"Daphne?" Melanie called. "Why are you banging your head on the wall?"

Daphne swung around, and her hands inched toward her mouth. She brought it down immediately and shook her head, "Nothing. I mean, something I read in my book was very upsetting. Were you looking for me?"

"No, I…are you sure? You do look quite pale. Let me bring you some water."

"Uh, yes. Yes. Water is good. I am parched. In fact, I should get it myself. I need air."

Melanie opened her mouth, "There is water on the cabinet here." Daphne abandoned Melanie in the room before she could do something stupid again. She avoided her maids and barged into the kitchen, grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and downed it. There were several questions from the servants concerning her current state but Daphne could not answer.

She almost sailed through the air to the library, where she collapsed into a chair, held her head, and gave a soundless scream.

She had not even resisted. She just stood there and received his kiss. Not only received it but deepened it, moaned his name, and enjoyed it so much, she could not bring herself to stop.

What if, just what if someone — like Percy — had seen them? She would be ruined forever. What would he think of her? After everything she had told Victor, she just…

Daphne groaned and flung herself into a lying position. All right. There was a plan, she had an idea. She was human, he was a handsome man. She could only react to him. It did not mean she had any feelings for the man.

Yes.

If it ever came to that, if he ever asked or taunted her. She knew Victor, there would be taunting. He would strut about it and paint it all over the estate if he could. Daphne groaned because, despite her panic, she could still taste him on her lips. She could feel his hands on her waist. Her body still pulsated with the heat he inflamed in her.

It was almost time for tea; she could not hide in the library forever. Her family would search for her. Daphne sat upright and brushed her fingers through her hair. She swept out her dress and hoped the blush on her cheeks and her swollen lips would be mistaken for something else. She did not know which lie to substitute at the moment. The best she could hope for was a few stammered words and a chance that she would bite her own tongue.

Her family was seated around a table. Her mother was ranting about something to Melanie. Melanie's face was wet with tears and she blew her nose on a handkerchief. Her father's face was buried in a newspaper. Amelia sipped her tea delicately while patting Melanie's back. Daphne rushed to Melanie and squatted by her chair.

"What happened? What is it, Melanie? Did somebody hurt you?"

"That family is despicable; they are terrible people and I am sure you will find someone better. Stop crying. Stop it!" Lady Wallace said, alternating between calming and sharp tones.

"What happened to you?" Amelia asked, frowning at Daphne.

Daphne pointed at Melanie, "Can we listen to her first?"

Amelia shook her head. "Lord Wilberforce. He heard Melanie's family is not wealthy so he refused to meet with her."

"What? That is preposterous!" Daphne exclaimed.

Melanie threw her head back and wailed even louder.

"It is. You just missed his mother. She pretended to be apologetic about her ‘mistake' but we all know she is not in the least bit sorry."

Melanie opened her mouth and Lady Wallace slapped a sandwich into it. "Eat. You will feel better. There are lots of families with eligible bachelors, and he was not the last. I promise."

"Oh Melanie, I am sorry. Mother is right. I will help you. We will help each other. You know, if she noticed you, and wanted you for her son, it means there are others who also find you attractive."

Wet eyes blinked at Daphne, "Re-really?"

"Absolutely! Right, Amelia?"

Amelia bobbed her head, "Yes! The other night, I definitely heard them asking about you. Some stared too. Definitely!"

Melanie dried her eyes on the handkerchief, her shoulders still quivering. "All right, all right," her voice came out small and hurt. Daphne's heart broke for her. She hugged Melanie for a while, then took the empty seat opposite Amelia.

"You," Amelia pointed at Daphne with her teacup. "Were you stung by a bee?"

An excuse! Daphne clung to it with both hands without thinking.

"Yes! I swatted it out before it could really hurt me!"

Lady Wallace and Melanie stared at her, their heads cocked to the side. Her father lowered the paper and stared.

Amelia set down the teacup on the table. "Daphne, dear?"

Daphne picked up a sandwich and chewed off an edge, very conspicuously avoiding her sister's prying eyes, "Mmhmm?"

"Your lips are smooth."

Daphne sucked her lips in, pretending to chew, "Oh…I…yes, not…The bee did not have that much time…to ah…leave a sting."

Melanie hid her lips behind her palm, Daphne was almost sure she was laughing. She covered her face with a napkin with a groan.

"Please leave it alone," her muffled voice came.

Of course, her family did not leave it alone.

* * *

"He loves her," Harry said. "I have never seen Victor that besotted with a woman before, I can tell you, surely."

Amelia paced Harry's study, tapping her fingers on her lips, "And I am certain she feels something for him too. I mean, it would explain everything! All of it!"

"Their bickering," Harry said with exasperation.

"The fights, oh God! My sister is always calm, she is the most level-headed person I know, and suddenly, she is picking these inappropriate fights with him. Do you know when they met? Why did you not tell me?"

"Kensington swore me to secrecy. He insists that I am delusional. I thought it was true until I saw them interact. He has partaken in some crazy things, but never has he lost his decorum before the ton. As a matter of fact, he has been trying to clear his reputation as a rake, since he took his title."

"Oh, that is bad; he is bad for her."

Harry hurried to stand. "No! No! Victor has had a very hard life. Yes, he might have dealt with it in bad ways that aren't exactly legal, but that was in the past. And I can assure you that Daphne will not find a more reliable person in the world."

"You would say that. He is your dearest friend!"

Harry came to her side, "And you know me, sweetheart, I would never endorse him, if he were dangerous."

Amelia smiled up at him. He had never given her a reason to doubt his love. She trusted Harry, which meant she had to trust Victor.

"How did they meet? When?"

"I can only answer one of your questions. Four years ago. There was a kiss and a promise. But Victor probably feels he is not good enough for her. The idiot."

Amelia released a restrained squeal. "A kiss?"

"Like this," Harry leaned down and kissed her deeply. Amelia melted into her fiancé's arms, as she had the first time it happened. When he stopped, she wanted to pull him back. "Let's bring them together," he said softly. "They would make each other happy. I know it."

"My sister said she was stung by a bee, but I am sure she kissed him, that little sneak. Fine! What should we do? Before our wedding is ruined by their behavior too."

Harry laughed and pecked her forehead, "It cannot go that far. But I know just the thing. Come with me."

Amelia pulled on his neck and pressed her lips to his again. "In a moment."

* * *

Victor filled his pockets with his hands and strolled down the corridor. There was a remarkable spring in his steps. He kept his face perfectly free of expression but his voice boomed through the house as he acknowledged and returned greetings from servants.

"Your Grace," Dan said by his side. "You may want to lower your voice, you are scaring people."

Victor cleared his throat and removed his hands from his pockets, "My voice is perfectly low."

Then he started to swing his arms by his side. "Find Harry for me. He wanted us to speak with his parents this evening."

"I did find him, Your Grace. I told you twenty minutes ago. In his study, waiting for you. Please do not take offense, Your Grace, but did you fall from your horse?"

"Go, now. Before you lose your job."

Dan gave a clipped nod. Victor was almost sure he saw Dan repress a smile. The man had been with his family forever. Some of those times Victor had to gamble at night, Dan would either come with him or stay awake at the house until Victor returned. The man turned into another corridor and disappeared. Victor sighed and turned in the corner, toward his friend's study.

Dinner was in a few hours, and he would see Daphne again as soon as he completed this thing with Harry. It had been a mistake, he knew that. He was a fallible man, especially in front of her.

Victor…

He heard her moan in his head and stumbled across his own feet. He looked around, confirmed that no one had seen him, and righted himself. That night, he would stay far away from her.

He arrived at Harry's door and made to push the door open.

"She loves him; it's the truth!" he heard Amelia's high voice as clear as day. He paused with his hand on the slightly open door.

"She does?" Harry replied in an even higher voice.

"She told me herself, yesterday after he kissed her."

Victor bumped his fist into the wall and winced quietly. He pressed closer to listen.

Amelia gave a very loud sigh, "After that night, she has never forgotten him. Why do you think she never married? She was waiting for him."

"Dear God! And the man seems to hate her."

Victor almost burst through the door to correct them.

"What can we do? I just wish my sister could be happy. He is a rake after all. One woman may not be enough."

What?

Surely, Harry would defend him? No one knew him better than Harry. Victor remembered the speech he gave Harry about Daphne and his heart fell.

"You are correct. But maybe he might surprise us."

"Maybe. On the other hand, my sister does deserve better, even if she does love him."

Victor heard smacking sounds. They were kissing! Victor's back hurt from the knife his friend stuck there. Harry had betrayed him. That was the only explanation. He should march back to his quarters, have his properties gathered, and leave immediately. Victor did not have to be the best man to someone who could not defend him!

The kissing sounds and moans intensified. Disgusted, Victor sighed and started to leave when he heard Amelia.

"I should leave quickly," Amelia said. "Daphne is waiting at the library."

Victor retraced his steps in the opposite direction. Maybe he could stay for the wedding. The poor sod did not have any other friends. Besides, Amelia did say Daphne loved him. Victor went up the stairs, three at a time, his long legs stretching across quickly.

They were wrong, probably. Daphne had not said one nice thing to him since his arrival. It was hard to imagine that she felt anything but intense loathing for him. Perhaps she had only kissed him back because he put her on the spot.

But love? He had to confirm this for himself.

Despite his doubt, Victor's steps felt lighter and freer. Then he remembered that they said she had remained unmarried for those years, waiting for him. He paused and closed his eyes. It meant that she was not betrothed to the Peacock or that he had mistaken their association.

She had waited for him? Someone trusted him for that long. Guilt slowed Victor's steps. By the time he got to the door, he wanted to return to Harry's study. He would complicate her life. But damn it, he liked that complication.

He stepped inside. Tall shelves, filled with all manner of books, surrounded her. She was sprawled on the couch, an easy smile on her face as she focused on the book in her hand. Light from the window above created golden strands in her hair. A sheen of the softest pink created an alluring glow on her freckled skin.

Victor was most hesitant to disturb her. He pressed his hands into his pockets and scanned the book she was reading.

"Is that a romance book?" She whipped her head up. "I hear women rage about the genre."

She narrowed her eyes at him. Victor could not resist it. Getting under her skin and watching her react was like opium. Addictive and unavoidable once tasted.

"I am not surprised. You are the authority on what women love; you might catch a disease one of these days, Your Grace," she said. She spoke with a shy demeanor, quickly ducking her head once she was done.

Victor grinned and strutted to the empty single chair. Maybe they were right. The sisters were quite close. Why would Amelia lie?

"Darling, the only woman who holds my attention is you. Did you not feel it this morning?"

That beautiful color suffused her cheeks, causing the freckles to stand out. Victor maintained that he was a man, and men's hearts did not melt into a mushy puddle. He was stoic and brazen and strong.

She looked up and smiled at him. Victor forgot his own name.

"Thatyou are a good kisser, I will not deny. You surprised me."

Victor crossed his legs and relaxed on the chair. Talking with her about anything shut the darkness out. "I can prove it was more than that, if you let me."

"More than a kiss?" She returned her attention to the page and turned it. "Your ego goes as deep as the ocean."

"That is true. Luckily, I can defend it. Tell me about your book."

"Why? So you will castigate it?" she asked.

"No, I am genuinely interested. You were smiling when I walked in, I would like to learn how the book got you to do it, effortlessly."

She stared at him for a moment. "Why are you acting so strangely?"

Victor tried to compose his expression. "Showing interest is not odd. I want to know you better. That is all."

She frowned slightly. "No, this is all wrong. You will never — oh." She slammed shut the brown-bound book. "You are here, despite the fact that I told you never to speak to me again."

Victor was a bit thrown off. He had fully believed that was a reaction caused by shock. After all, he had blabbed the first thing that came to his mind. It was his intention to apologize once he could seize the chance. This was the chance. "Forgive me, I did speak out of turn."

She waved off his apology. "No. You heard something, did you not?"

Victor shifted his gaze to the window above her head and said, "I am not sure I understand."

She came to her feet, grabbed his hand, "come."

Victor allowed himself to be led to that window. She made him squat along the rims. She peeked from there and motioned for him to do the same. He could barely make out the patterns of two dresses.

Daphne whispered, "I saw them earlier, talking rather loudly."

Victor gave a light cough. "Ah, what were they discussing? Is that your sister and Melanie?"

"Yes. They are convinced you are overly infatuated with me. I supposed you must have heard the same?"

Victor's heart sank. He knew it had been a stretch to believe she cared about him. He moved away from the window and stood. Those dresses disappeared into the corridor. They must have felt their plot had taken root.

"It was a plan?"

"Your Grace, what else could it possibly be?" she asked with a laugh.