Romancing Her Rival - Joanna Barker Page 0,34

ready?”

Daphne put her thoughts away as she turned to greet her aunt with a smile. “I’ve been ready since yesterday, I think.”

Aunt Hartwell laughed as she stepped to the marble floor. “Eager to see your friend or eager for the seaside?”

“Both, of course. But as we must still wait for the coach, I shall have to exercise a bit of patience.”

“A helpful exercise, to be sure.” Aunt Hartwell came to stand beside her, a thoughtful expression claiming her face. “In truth, I have been wanting to speak with you about something. I shall take my chance now, since I’ve hardly seen you these past few days without Mr. Everard.”

Daphne’s cheeks heated, but Aunt Hartwell went on. “I know it may be awkward to speak of such things, but I wondered what you planned to do after the summer. Of course, you may stay as long as you like, but I daresay your mother will insist you return to London before long.”

“Oh.” Daphne squirmed. “I can hardly say.” Mostly because her plans kept changing in the most frustrating ways. “I suppose Mother will want me home, like you said.”

The idea of returning to London—to her mother—did not fill her with much enthusiasm. She fought a grimace.

“What if you did not have to return?” Aunt Hartwell asked.

Daphne furrowed her brow. “What do you mean?”

Aunt Hartwell took her arm, eyes bright. “I am leaving Kent, Daphne. I am going to travel the country with my friend Mrs. Tilton, and I want you to come with us.”

Daphne gaped. “Travel? But—but what of Cheriton?”

“Mr. Everard has the estate well in hand,” she said. “I am not worried about it in the least. But I am worried for you. I fear your mother will force you into a loveless marriage, or damage your reputation with her own exploits. But if you come with me as my companion, we could see such sights together. You would not have to live your life restricted by society or your mother’s rules.”

Daphne could hardly think straight. Travel the country? Leave London behind, and her mother? Just this short time away from her mother had been revitalizing. She felt she could breathe for the first time in years, since being away at school, really. What would it be like to have that freedom as her constant companion?

But, on the other hand, she would be traveling, going out into a world she’d only read about. That had never been a dream of hers. Marah had gone on more voyages than she could count, traveling with her husband on his ship, and Isabel had always fantasized of going to Paris or Rome—really anywhere her oppressive brother was not. But Daphne had simpler ideas. Cheriton had been her dream. Now that that was taken away and all of England was set in its place, she hardly knew how to react.

Cole’s face flashed before her eyes, the firelight surrounding him. What if…

But she shook her head. She could not afford to be silly and naïve now. Cole only thought of her as a friend, the friend she’d long been to him. She had nothing to offer him, no dowry or connections. He needed a wife that could help him navigate the new society he found himself thrust into, and if the Chesleys’ ball was any indication, Daphne would do a terrible job of it.

No. She mustn’t allow herself to even think of marriage. Hope would only make her decision all the more painful.

“When would you leave?” Daphne somehow managed to ask.

“August, I am hoping.”

Not two months away. Daphne swallowed.

Aunt Hartwell gave her a sympathetic look, as if she knew precisely what Daphne was thinking. She had no idea. “I know it is a difficult decision, and I hardly expect an answer from you immediately. Think on it, my dear.”

“I will,” Daphne said. “I… I daresay I’ll think of nothing else.”

“Then perhaps a distraction is in store, at least for today. Come, I hear the coach.” Aunt Hartwell led her to the front door, where the coach was just pulling to a stop—and where a lean figure in a tan jacket walked up the front drive.

“Mr. Everard, I told you we would fetch you this morning,” her aunt scolded.

Cole grinned. “I was ready early and could not resist a walk.” His eyes went to Daphne. “Good morning to the both of you.”

Aunt Hartwell responded with some quip about young people always being in a hurry, but Daphne could not say she was truly listening anymore. Aunt