The Earl's Debutante Debacle (Charmed, I'm Sure Book 2) by Maggie Dallen

Author:Maggie Dallen [Dallen, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-18T00:00:00+00:00

15

Lady Daphne kept a smile on her face at dinner that night, but her gaze kept sliding down the table toward the Earl of Yardley.

Something was wrong with him.

Butterflies swarmed her belly when she snuck another glance, only to find him already looking her way.

Oh yes, something was definitely…amiss.

She swallowed hard and tried to focus on the conversation going on around her. But it was impossible to block out the feel of his gaze. It pricked her skin as surely as if he were touching her.

Again.

Heat flooded her neck and rose up in her face at the memory of his thumb brushing against her cheek.

She gave her head a shake. He was a friend—no, he was an ally—who’d simply brushed some dirt off her cheek.

There was no reason to act like a silly goose about it.

“Are you all right, Daphne?” Marian leaned across the table to address her quietly, so as not to interrupt Daphne and Miss Dubois’ mothers, who seemed to have formed a quick friendship.

No doubt this had something to do with the fact that they’d both secured excellent matches for their daughters nearly as soon as the Season had begun.

The fact that one daughter was miserable and the other only faking a match did not seem to factor into the conversation.

Daphne winced when she heard her mother say Yardley’s name too loudly before lowering her voice to resume gossiping with the other woman.

For Marian’s sake, she forced a small smile. “I’m fine, thank you for asking.”

Marian didn’t look convinced, but she knew better than to pry at the dinner table where anyone could overhear. And for this, Daphne was grateful.

None of her newfound friends understood her desire to marry Boreland.

And they certainly didn’t seem to understand that she truly did not have an interest in Yardley. Not like that, at least.

No matter how many times she told them this was just for show, she hadn’t missed the mischievous twinkle in Felicity’s eyes, nor Marian’s barely concealed smile when she and Yardley had gone off to ride together.

Daphne turned her attention to the food on her plate. Mostly to avoid Marian’s concerned gaze…and Yardley’s searching stare.

She knew why Marian was watching her. And she couldn’t deny that she’d been acting…off ever since their ride that afternoon.

But why was Yardley staring so? He’d been doing this all day.

How was a lady supposed to manipulate a man into marriage when her decoy beau insisted on watching her like a hawk?

It was hard enough to feign interest in Boreland’s stories to begin with, but how was she supposed to keep her attention when every time she glanced in Yardley’s direction, she’d found him staring.

Nay, glaring.

Almost like he didn’t approve of this plan.

Or perhaps it was just her he didn’t approve of.

She shifted uncomfortably in her chair.

“Do stop wiggling, dear.” Her mother finally noticed her presence beside her. “Be still, like a proper lady.”

A proper lady. That was all that was ever expected of her. “Yes, Mother,” she murmured.

But the quiet voice, the still pose…

It cost her.

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