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"Joyce," she began hesitantly, "can I ask you something?"

Joyce raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her sister's tone. "Go ahead."

Daphne fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, trying to find the right words. "Have you ever... thought that someone might despise you, but then they do something kind, and it makes you question everything?"

The question had been gnawing at her since the Duke's intervention this morning at the breakfast table.

"Why do you ask? Did something happen?"

"Oh, no," she said quickly, waving a hand dismissively. "Nothing of the sort. I was only asking out of general curiosity." She could hardly tell Joyce about the morning's events—not when she herself was still trying to make sense of them.

"General curiosity?" she echoed, her tone carrying a hint of skepticism.

"Can you stop answering back with more questions?" Daphne said, impatiently.

Joyce chuckled, "Fair enough. I know better than to convince you to tell me something that you do not wish to. As far as your question goes..." Joyce paused for a moment, reflecting, "Well – I suppose it does not warrant such a simple answer."

"Try."

"People are complicated, you know," Joyce shrugged. "Oftentimes what appears on the surface is not what is truly in their hearts. Perhaps this mystery person does not dislike you so much after all."

Daphne's cheeks warmed instantly. "Oh – this has nothing to do with me, Joyce. Do not be so ridiculous."

Her sister raised an amused eyebrow in her direction. "Does it not? Pray tell, what is it about then?"

"It is a book I am reading," Daphne lied. "One of the characters... he did something confusing. I was just wondering what your thoughts on the matter would be."

"If you say so, Daphne. If you say so," Joyce chuckled.

A gentle knock echoed through the room. Both sisters looked up, their conversation momentarily paused. One of the housemaids entered the room and curtsied.

"Begging your pardon, Lady Daphne," the maid began, "Lord Richard has requested to see you in the gardens."

"Oh?"

She hadn't expected Richard to call on her again so soon after their walk in the garden earlier. Her heart gave a small, nervous flutter, though not the sort of excitement one might expect before seeing a suitor. Instead, it felt more like... uncertainty.

"Well, thank you. Let the lord know that I shall join him in a moment."

The maid curtsied again and backed out of the room, leaving the two sisters in silence.

"It seems that tea time got much more eventful for you," Joyce grinned, nudging her sister playfully.

"Yes," Daphne said, realizing that she had to force a smile. "Yes – I should go and see what he wants."

A little while later, she found herself in the garden where Lord Richard awaited her.

"Lady Daphne," he greeted, inclining his head. "Thank you for joining me. I was hoping we could walk, if you like."

"I would be happy to."

They began walking, the gravel crunching softly beneath their feet as they made their way along the garden path.

For a while, neither of them spoke, the silence between them feeling more like a formality. But then, Daphne decided to take matters into her own hands.

"I noticed you weren't at breakfast this morning," she said lightly, trying to ease into conversation. "I suppose the previous night took more out of you than expected?"

"I'm afraid so," he admitted. "The excitement, the late night... I suppose I allowed myself a bit too much rest. Overslept, if I'm being honest."

"Well, that is fair. I hope you have rested well now."

"Indeed, I have," Richard replied, cheerfully. "But I do regret missing breakfast, leaving you alone there. I hope that I did not miss out on anything too eventful?"

Daphne swallowed hard. Clearly, he had not heard about Lord Whitby's little comment, nor his brother's intervention.

"I would say you did not," she smiled.

But it was already too late. Her mind had begun to drift. She imagined what Richard would have done, if Lord Whitby had made the same comment in his presence.

Would he have stood up for her the same way that Ambrose had? Surely, he had to say something – for the comment was so blatantly out of line.

He would have been polite, he would have smiled, but would he have challenged Lord Whitby in the same way that the duke had? It bothered her that she did not know him well enough to answer that question, yet she could answer it about Ambrose.

"I suppose you've been quite busy as of late," she tried to move from the topic. "I did not see you at the card game last night either."

Richard shrugged, "Cards – they are more of Ambrose's hobby. I am not too interested in them."

"Oh, I see," Daphne nodded. A part of her told her that she should agree with him, yes, cards. How useless! I do not enjoy them either. But doing so felt so disingenuous because it was far from the truth.

She did not want to lie just to agree with him.

"I suppose I do enjoy cards," she admitted after a pause, offering a small smile. "Though I understand why not everyone does. It can be a bit... tedious at times, especially if the company isn't engaging."

Richard chuckled lightly, clearly relieved by her honesty. "I'm afraid I fall into that category. I've never been one for games of chance or strategy. I prefer... simpler pleasures, I suppose. A good book or a quiet ride through the countryside."

Daphne smiled, "That does sound lovely. I believe there can be a balance of both."

As they continued their stroll, they were suddenly interrupted by the sounds of footsteps approaching from around the bend. Daphne's heart gave an inexplicable flutter when she recognized the figures approaching from the opposite direction.

Ambrose.

He was walking beside Lady Eugenia, who was chatting animatedly. The very sight of them together sent an uncomfortable knot twisting in Daphne's stomach, though she wasn't entirely sure why.

As they came closer, Ambrose's eyes landed on Daphne and Richard, his expression unreadable. He slowed his pace, and Lady Eugenia followed suit, her gaze now settling on Daphne with mild curiosity.

"Ah, I did not except to run into the both of you here," Ambrose said in a calm voice.

"Well, I suppose you were not the only one who thought the weather befitting for an evening promenade, Your Grace," Daphne answered.

"It was my idea to bring Lady Daphne out here," Richard admitted, nodding.

"Well I do not blame you," Lady Eugenia interjected swiftly, "The Estate grounds are quite an excellent place to do so. And I must say, the company has been just as pleasant."

Her eyes slid briefly to Daphne, and though her words were kind, there was a subtle edge in them, as if she had already determined who belonged in her circle of company—and who did not.

"I'm glad we ran into you. Perhaps we could all walk together for a bit?" Richard continued.

Ambrose's gaze flicked to her once more, a brief pause before he replied. "Unfortunately, Lady Eugenia and I were just about to conclude our walk," he said smoothly. "But perhaps another time."

A wave of relief washed over Daphne. Thank heavens.

"Of course," Richard said. "Perhaps another time, then."

As they parted ways, Daphne could not help but steal a glance in the Duke's direction. To her absolute horror, he seemed to be doing the same thing.

Their gaze met for a brief moment, before both of them looked away, quickening their pace. And as Daphne willed herself to return to the conversation she was having with Richard, she realized just how not interested she was in having it.