A Kiss to Remember by Rebecca Minto

Author:Rebecca Minto
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency, romance, Rebecca Minto, Eternal Press, guardian, Duke, forbidden love, historical, mercy, death, murder, love, sex, dream, society.
Publisher: Damnation Books
Published: 2012-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Daphne dressed carefully for the interview. In lieu of a lady’s maid, Annalise was trying to help her. Anna, like Chrys, had wept. She was struggling to accept her decision, but it was difficult.

“I cannot believe you will be gone, Daph. I have grown accustomed to having you about.”

Daphne forced a smile. “I dare say you shall miss finding me in your bed,” she teased.

“Oh, Daphne.”

Daphne slipped into a gown of rich chocolate brown brocade that matched her eyes precisely. The modest bodice and long, fitted sleeves were embroidered with the finest gold thread that brought out the gold in her eyes. She began to brush out her long, unruly hair.

“Anna, I want you to have my topaz,” she murmured.

“What?” Annalise goggled her.

“Take my topaz and the sapphires; have them sent to Chrys. They suit her eyes.”

“Daphne, you cannot give away your jewels.”

She pressed her favorite perfume to her pulse points. “I have others, and I want you two to have those. They are the best I have.”

Annalise bowed her head. “One day, you may regret it.” She was not talking about the gifts.

Daphne shrugged. “Perhaps. For now, I feel it necessary. How do I look?”

Annalise glanced at her. She looked miserable and proud. She had left her hair down for once.

“Beautiful. It is not too late to change your mind, Daphne.”

Daphne smiled bitterly. “I will not change my mind, Anna.”

Daphne walked down the stairs. It was a stab in the heart not to see Villiers there, waiting, or perhaps looking sheepish at being caught in his eavesdropping. She closed her eyes briefly, mourning for all that had happened since she had arrived here. If she had never had come, Villiers would still be standing in this hall, watching and waiting.

She took a deep, steadying breath, then another and another until she felt her resolve return. It had to be done. The sooner, the better. She knocked on the heavy study door.

“Come in.”

Stomach twisting in knots, Daphne entered, quietly shutting the door behind her. He was there, as he had been so often, sitting behind his desk with piles of paperwork. His hair was mussed, as though he had swept his fingers through it in agitation many times. There were dark circles beneath his eyes, speaking of a sleepless night.

Unlike the other times, there was a snifter of brandy beside his right hand. It had not been touched. Yet.

“Good afternoon, James.”

His eyes swept over her, devouring. He took in her tired, resigned face, the gold of her hair spilling around her, the warm glow of her rich dark eyes. He looked at her as though he was a man starved for her sight. Daphne’s heart shuddered in her chest.

“Daphne,” he breathed.

She quietly sat down, folding her hands in her lap.

“I have received an offer I would like to consider, James.”

His gaze snapped up to her steady gaze. “What? I have received no additional offer.”

She nodded. “Yes, he thought it best to see how I felt first before approaching you. I have been considering it carefully.

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