A Lady Under Siege(89)
“I hope I find love,” Daphne murmured.
“Don’t start looking for it until I’ve presented you to your husband.”
“Make sure he’s handsome, then.”
“Oh for certain he will be. Handsome, rich, strong, brave and true—I would accept nothing less for my one and only daughter. Now, not to change the subject entirely, on a matter related to marriage, I have something to discuss with you.”
With a small gesture he dismissed the maidservant. When they were alone Daphne said, “This must be very serious, or else I’m grown up now. I don’t think you’ve ever cleared the room to speak to me.”
“Yes, well. What I have to say should be kept secret for now. You are growing up, and you’ve reached an age where for certain decisions in life I might seek your council, or approval, or help. I’ve been thinking about Lady Sylvanne—”
“You want to marry her!” Daphne shrieked. Thomas winced and glanced toward the door.
“Shush, you silly girl!”
“Do you or don’t you?” She could barely contain herself.
“I do.”
“Well then go ask her!” Daphne said excitedly.
“It’s not so simple as that.”
“Why not?”
“Well, first of all, I’m not sure exactly how the question is asked, when it’s not arranged between families. And secondly, I don’t want it to come as a shock to her, I want to give her a little time to consider the question before I ask. I only want to ask if I’m certain she’ll say yes.”
“Daddy. You have your pride, is that it?”
“I suppose that’s what it is.”
“I know she’ll say yes.”
“Well I want to be sure. And that’s where you come in. I want you to find out what she thinks of the idea. Sound her out for me.”
“I’ll be like a spy,” Daphne said gaily. “I’ll be very subtle, and clever. I’ll tease the answer from her!”
“You can be direct, if you wish. But don’t try to convince her; let her express her own true wishes.”
“I’ll go to see her right now.”
SHE INVITED SYLVANNE FOR a stroll along the parapet, where far afield they could see peasants harvesting barley with scythes, and stooking the sheaves to dry. Daphne, fairly bursting with excitement, but thinking herself a very fine actress for her outward self-control, asked as casually as she could, “What do you think of love?”
“What do you mean?”
“What’s your definition?”
“Love is something proven over time. True love behaves itself.”
“Is it spontaneous, like a lightning bolt, or something cultivated?”
“Why do you ask these things?”
“My father wishes to marry you,” Daphne blurted out.
“Does he?”
“Yes. What would you say to him?”
“I think he needs to ask me himself.”
“I just know you’ll say yes!” Daphne said excitedly.
“He needs to ask me himself,” Sylvanne repeated.
LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, as the shadows grew long, Thomas made his way to Sylvanne’s chamber. She had dressed herself in a lovely robe of lavender and had her hair pinned up off her shoulders to expose her graceful neck. He took it as a sign, confirming the breathless guarantee Daphne had given him, that he would not be disappointed.
They exchanged the briefest of pleasantries before she said, “I know why you’ve come.”
The neutrality in her voice surprised him. He suddenly felt less confident, more self-conscious, a rare feeling for him.
“Well?” she prompted.
“Yes. Well. I think it best for all concerned, if, what I mean to say is, you’re a fine woman, and beautiful, a prize for any man, and Daphne needs a mother, and I need a wife, and you need a husband—” He winced at the awkwardness and inelegance of his words. It was not coming out as he’d imagined it would. “My dear Lady, it comes down to this—there’s too much sadness in the world, and not enough happiness. I see a way for two disparate souls to combine to make happiness.”
“Are you in love with me?” she asked. He saw her lower lip tremble just a little.
“Yes. I believe I am. I want to be, don’t you see? You’ve displayed such tremendous strength of character in all I’ve put you through. We began as enemies, and I admired you for putting up the good fight. As allies, I feel we could conquer the world. That’s if you’ll have me, of course.”