Page 57 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke

“Is that how Papa wooed you, Mother?” Amelia asked, and seeing her mother blush, they all chuckled.

“Quiet, all of you.” She scolded. “Do you want the duke to think of us as improper?”

“I already know what he thinks of us,” Amelia snorted.

“Amelia!”

“Sorry, Mother.”

“This day was supposed to be just for family,” Daphne tried again.

“And if he marries you, he will be family,” her father stated.

She wondered whose side he was on since he had been a staunch supporter of her marrying Percy since she was old enough to speak.

“And you, Father. I thought you wanted me to marry Percy?” she asked. “Have your loyalties changed so quickly?”

He huffed and looked away from her, muttering under his breath. She swore she heard him say something along the lines ofpetulant child,but she might have been imagining it.

Could violent sports really be what drew men together? she wondered.

Ever since Victor had taught her father, two days prior, to shoot while riding at high speed, he had begun singing his praises. They had even taken to sharing stories and drinks after dinner, and it had warmed her heart seeing him well integrated with her family.

“Good day everyone,” the duke greeted her parents. “You look beautiful, Daphne."

His comment brought proud smiles to her parents’ faces and giggling to her sister and cousin. She reddened and thanked him for the compliment.

“Your Grace, we were wondering if you would play a game of bocce on our team,” her father said, forgetting her mother had asked her to. Or not even caring.

Since he had saved Lord Pascal and then taught his father to shoot while riding a horse at a speed that had her mother swooning, her father had deemed him perfect.

“I will be a very good partner for you,”he had said, grinning with pride.

She shook her head when he met her eyes with an excited twinkle.

“Your Grace, it will interest you to know that our opponents are theFart-tons,” Melanie supplied, mocking Percy’s name as he had.

“Is that so?” he asked grinning wolfishly. “Then you can count me in."

Daphne shot Melanie a glare and picked up her mallet.

“What?" the wretched girl asked, feigning innocence. “I need a bit of entertainment.”

“At my expense?”

“I love you, but yes.” Melanie laughed. “It is not every day I get to see grown men fighting over a lady.”

“You are horrible.”

“I know, but do not pretend you are not excited to see how this plays out.”

It would be a complete lie if she denied it.

Percy and his family arrived, and he bounded toward her with a big smile which died when he spied the duke.

“Your Grace,” Percy greeted him politely even though his eyes flashed with anger.

“Fart-ton.” Victor accepted his greeting with a nod.