Page 59 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke

“I am as well as can be,” the woman answered. “That’s an interesting book you are reading. I have read it a number of times myself.”

“Really?”

“Indeed,” she smiled. “Reading is one of my favorite past times these days.”

“It is a good hobby to have,” Daphne agreed.

“I must say, I am happy with my son’s choice.” The woman smiled warmly at her. “You are one of the loveliest girls I have ever met.”

Daphne blushed at the praise. It warmed her heart to know that Victor’s mother liked her even though they were not exactly a couple.

“I thank you for the compliment.” She remembered her manners. “And I must pay you the sane compliment. Victor is a wonderful man. You did a beautiful job raising him.”

The woman smiled and turned back to her book. Thinking the conversation over, she opened hers.

“I didn’t exactly raise my son,” the dowager duchess said suddenly into the silence. “My son was raised majorly by staff who took pity on him because his parents failed to do their part.”

“Oh, that’s not, I did not mean…” her voice trailed off as the dowager continued.

“I spent most of Victor’s childhood caught up in my own sadness because of his father.”

“What happened with his father?” Daphne asked.

She felt she was betraying his privacy by asking his mother, but she was getting tired of the mystery surrounding him.

The woman sighed and had a forlorn look on her face.

“Let’s just say the late duke wasn’t very kind to me. I worry he may have inspired a fear in Victor that makes him worry he will turn out the same.”

Oh.

The woman read her expression and smiled.

“You worry for him?” she asked.

“I do. He cannot punish himself like that anymore,” she admitted, unsure how the dowager would react to her words.

“Yes. My son is dutiful in that way. I can only guess because that is what I thought until I saw the way he was with you. I can finally say my son looks happy, so I must thank you.”

Daphne smiled softly and looked away as guilt consumed her. How could she tell this woman that she and her son would not be marrying?

“I cannot really take all the credit for his happiness, Your Grace,” she started. “Victor is…resilient, and brave, and smart, and he is surrounded by friends here. There are many things contributing to his happiness.”

The dowager smiled as if she knew a secret, but said nothing.

“I will leave you to get ready for dinner,” the woman told her. “You can find me later if you want to know more stories about the duke’s childhood. I have some embarrassing ones I am certain you would like to know.”

“It was a pleasure talking with you, Your Grace,” she told the woman, rising from her seat.

“Likewise.” She smiled. “I look forward to you taking me up on my offer.”

“I look forward to it too.”

She watched the woman walk away before returning to her chambers.

* * *

“So what did the dowager duchess want?” Amelia asked as they tightened the stays on her dress.