Chapter 8

"Are you waiting for someone?" Melanie asked, peering over Daphne's shoulder.

Daphne almost jumped out of her skin as she turned. "What are you doing skulking about?"

"I was not skulking!" Melanie protested, jumping in front of Daphne. "I have been calling your name for over a minute. That is why I asked why you are waiting so diligently."

"I was not waiting diligently. You should be inside. Why are you here?"

"Aunt asked me to look for you. The places are set and they are waiting."

"Oh. Right, I forgot. I am sorry." Melanie's forehead creased in confusion. Daphne slipped her hand through Melanie's. "Let us go."

"My lady," a male voice called behind them.

Daphne's heart made a wild jump as Victor stepped out of the darkness, deftly separating her and Melanie.

He drew her arms through his and smiled down at her. "Have I kept you waiting?"

He was too magnificent. Maybe it was his height, the dark coat, the gleaming white shirt, his astoundingly handsome face, or the magnetic pair of blue eyes, and the soft curls of his dark hair.

She jerked her gaze away and nodded. In doing so, she caught her cousin's stunned face. Daphne snapped out of the haze and forced her lips into a smile. "Yes. I was beginning to think you had fallen ill, Your Grace."

"Forgive me. I had gone riding and went farther than I intended."

"I understand."

"I must say, you look ravishing tonight."

Daphne stumbled on her own dress. He placed a hand on her back and righted her, then lowered his head and whispered. "I enjoy the effect my words have on you."

Daphne wished to bash her head — no, his head — on the wall. "Behave. Melanie is here," she said under her breath.

He whispered. "Ah, the performance. Do you suppose it would help if I did this?" He brought her closer and softly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Daphne shivered from his touch and struggled to hide it as she moved away from him.

"Behave," she warned with a whisper.

Melanie dashed past them and entered the hall. Daphne could almost see her excitedly telling Amelia about the success of their plan.

Her face was scarlet when she entered the teeming hall. Every part of her was stiff as stone, walking beside him. The night was unfolding to be this terrible nightmare. A clear sign that this plan was a devastating failure. A sign that she had to be mad to have suggested a courtship with a man who wanted nothing to do with her.

Her mother was the first to break away from her group and approach them. "Your Grace? What is this? I mean, is my daughter bothering you again?"

Victor grinned, oozing with charm. "On the contrary, your daughter's presence is an absolute delight."

Her mother beamed. There was no higher compliment than when her children were praised, especially in front of her, and by a duke no less.

"I am glad."

"I wanted to introduce myself earlier but since we are here, I want to ask permission to court your daughter."

Daphne's eyes widened, and at the same time her mother gasped. "You want what?"

"To court Lady Daphne."

Her mother blinked once before finally speaking. "Her father is around here, but I think he would give his approval. Please come. He would be delighted to hear such wonderful news."

"I would be delighted as well," Victor said as her mother led them to the side of the ballroom, where her father was standing.

"Darling, I believe His Grace would like to speak to you," her mother said.

"Oh, good evening, Your Grace," the Earl of Wallace greeted Victor, and glanced at Daphne with confusion in his eyes.

"Good evening, my lord. I am here to ask your permission to court your daughter, Lady Daphne," Victor said with a polite nod.

Her father's eyes widened in shock. "Court Daphne? W-when did this happen? Your-Your Grace, do you truly have interest in my daughter?"

"I do, sir. I hope our courtship brings forth positive results. It is my dearest wish to see her happy," Victor said, his tone so sincere that it would fool anyone.

"You were at each other's throats until recently," her father pointed out.

"Affection has various ways of revealing its presence. That was one of our ways."

Victor reached out his hand and Daphne took it. He was such a good actor.

"Still, Your Grace, your reputation worries me more than a little. You should know that we cherish our daughter. If this is some plot to merely toy with her, you should cease immediately, lest this escalates to a deadly duel," her father interjected.

Daphne swallowed hard at her father's not-so-subtle threat. This was why she did not want to have this conversation with her family. When they would eventually end the courtship, they would also hold him accountable.

"I cherish her, just as much," Victor replied. "And please, call me Victor."

A high-pitched squeal made Daphne jump and she turned around to see Melanie and Amelia standing behind her with the biggest grins on their faces. She had not even heard them approach until now. Harry also stood beside them, and he aimed a speculative glance at Victor.

Before her father could respond, Percy suddenly stepped forward, his voice seething with anger as he blurted out, "What is this nonsense I am hearing?"

"Percy, not now," Daphne started.

Percy glared at Victor, who stood beside her, barely hiding the animosity in his face.

"Oh, dear, Percy. How wonderful to see you. Shall we grab ourselves a refreshment?" Daphne's father offered, his face red with guilt. After all, Daphne was aware that he had been invited for the sole purpose of courting her.

"Surprised?" Victor snickered at Percy, earning a questioning glance from Daphne.

Percy's lips became a furious line as his face darkened at the taunt.

"Yes, a drink! How lovely! I shall join you as well," her mother said, positively shooing both gentlemen in the opposite direction.

"Can you all not see that something is clearly amiss?" Percy growled.

Victor had the indecency to laugh quietly. Daphne drew him away before the situation deteriorated further. Her hand was soaked with sweat. She tugged it away from Victor's hold. It was much harder to deceive her family and Percy.

Victor picked up her hand again, with a soft smile at her. He acted as though there was no sweat on her hands. His confidence began to seep into her. To anyone looking, he was a besotted man in love.

"We have to speak with my mother soon," he said as they walked out of the ballroom. "She is astute; you cannot let my hand go or act cold in any way."

"All right," was all Daphne could manage. Again, she had not thought that far.

"Or would you prefer not to have an introduction? That can be arranged. I will speak to her on your behalf. Inform her that you are weighing your options, seeing as I have a scarlet past."

"Victor!" Daphne could not get a handle on the man, even a little bit. "Could you please speak with some decorum?"

His thumb caressed the back of her hand, "You said my name. That is an improvement."

"I have said your name before," she said.

"Is that so? Why can I not remember?" he mumbled.

"Because you fill your head with nonsense," she scoffed.

"I would certainly remember hearing my name from your mouth," he said with that soft voice.

Daphne was so startled by this gentle tone that she almost collided with a woman wearing a tiara so bright it had almost blinded her.

After muttering an apology to the lady, she heard Victor chuckling to himself.

* * *

"We should make it less complicated," Daphne said. "Your mother does not deserve to be dragged into our deceit. You should speak with her, please."

It was the truth. His mother would be overjoyed to hear he had met someone he was willing to marry. She would be excited to meet her only to have her expectations dashed.

Still, he would have preferred…what? For it to be true? He was going mad.

"All right," he conceded.

"So, you agree?"

"As you wish. I will obey."

She peered up at him. "Did you hit your head, or is the wine clouding your senses?"

"What wine?"

"You have had at least three glasses tonight."

Just to extract that infuriated look from her, Victor grinned. "You are watching me that closely. You are indeed deeply infatuated with me."

He tightened his hands around hers expecting her to try and break free once more. She stopped walking entirely and looked at him, her expression without mirth.

"We are alone. You do not have to say these things, or continue the performance, you know. I am perfectly capable of walking in silence."

"This is practice. You were tense with your parents. What will you do if Farton decides to challenge us further?"

"I… well," she shuffled her feet, unsure. "That is different. Should we practice what to say?"

"For your sake, maybe. In all honesty, I do not care for the pea—ahem, Farton's opinion. But it does seem to affect you and your family. Is there anything I should know?"

She scratched the corner of her head. "He was…"

"Your Grace!" she was interrupted a moment later by guests who surrounded them, pouring congratulations on them.

He had never liked this crowd. They would use polite words to chip at a lesser person's pride, simply to elevate their egos. He was not one to hold back his words, and that had earned him some sort of reputation.

He looked around for the man that had invited him, but Harry was not in the vicinity. He expected them to leave, following his cutting words but they stayed, attempting to glean tidbits from him. He was amazed that the news had spread this fast.

It had to be the work of her sister, Amelia. On the edge of his patience, Victor asked Daphne if she would like some wine. Daphne nodded quickly, eager to escape the crowd.

After excusing themselves, Victor allowed her to slide her hand through his arm. They walked across the ballroom together. Several eyes turned to watch them. It was fuller than usual since Harry had invited more guests to the ball.

He could feel Daphne's pulse racing. Her face was almost without color and her body stiffened with tension. He sensed that their little plan had to be the most devious thing Daphne had ever done. It was her idea, but the woman was terrible at this pretense.

"Would you actually like some wine now?" he asked.

"I want to keep my wits about me."

"Relax, I am with you. Dance with me."

The slight smile that had appeared quickly dissolved to near-panic. "I am not exactly a good dancer. Perhaps we should find my sister and your friend."

Victor swept her toward swirling couples and music. "Compared to everything you have done, this is nothing." He leaned down and whispered, "I will not let you fail. At anything."

She pushed him back a bit, then lowered her head so he could not see her face. He hooked a finger under her jaw, "Look at me."

Her eyes shone like the glimmering lights around them. There was a hint of color on her cheeks. Her hands were feather-light on his shoulders.

"This is strange," she muttered.

"Why, does it feel natural?" He cupped her lower back, held her hand, and spiraled her into the music.

"You like to tease."

The only person in the room who would attribute that quality to him. Victor laughed. Over her shoulders, he caught sight of his mother's eyes. She nodded toward the woman in his arms. Victor mouthed later, to her.

"Is that so?" he asked.

"You excel at charming women."

"So, you are charmed." Victor swung her around so that she would not see the skulking man behind. He glowered at them as though he wanted to stomp over. He could not keep it to himself much longer.

"Were you ever engaged to Percy Farton?"

She stepped on his foot. Victor held her tighter so she would not fall. "Oh, he was… We were friends. Our parents thought it would be natural for us to be wed."

"You courted, then?"

"For a short time."

"Why did you reject him?"

"Does it make you uncomfortable?"

"My lovely girl, it takes much more to make me uncomfortable. I am curious. He will not stop staring at you. Look at me." Victor added hurriedly when she wanted to turn. "Admittedly, I do enjoy watching him suffer for what I have."

She swatted his shoulder, "You do not have me, and you're just being nice now."

"Farton's face begs to disagree. Tell me, what happened between you? Ah, here he comes," he said and stopped as Percy approached them.

"I would rather not dance with him! Please," she said quickly.

Victor cupped her face, concerned at the urgency with which she spoke. "Be calm. This is the first night of our courtship. The only man that dances with you is me."

"Will you covet her for the entire night, Your Grace?" Percy asked as he finally reached them.

"Covet?"

"Trap, then. I want this next dance with her."

"You have not congratulated us yet. Where are your manners?"

He blanched, "I cannot congratulate a farce."

"Percy! I will not have you insult us like that!"

Victor wanted to cheer for her, except that she would probably put him in his place too.

He wheeled on Daphne. "I am trying to protect you! How has he blinded you to…"

"You should leave before this becomes ugly."

"He resorts to threats at the slightest inconvenience, Daphne. Are you sure this is the kind of man you want to be associated with? You know nothing about his father or his own temper!"

Victor clenched his jaw as anger flashed through him. Daphne looked up at him and grabbed his arm immediately. Percy leveled a smug glare at him, preening from foot to foot.

Victor refused to move with Daphne. She shot a glance at Percy, "I may not know his father, but you can never compare to him." Then she turned to Victor. "We should have that wine you suggested."

Victor still did not want to move. He wanted to wring his hand from hers and leave. That way, the ghost of his father would not sully their happiness as it had with a simple comparison.

If she were not present, it would not cut that deep.

"Victor," she prompted with steel in her voice.

"He does not deny it. He knows I do not lie," Percy pushed on.

Victor exhaled through the blinding haze. "Yes. The wine," he said slowly. Finally, he eased his face into a smile. "And Farton? You should know that I never issue empty threats."

He took Daphne's hand and led her through the crowd of onlookers.