Dangerous in Diamonds - Madeline Hunter [119]
Daphne repositioned herself on the chair. She made sure no others were close by. She closed her eyes and built her composure as if she laid courses of bricks. She would do this and she would pay the consequences and even if it did not all work out as planned, the scoundrel would never have such power again.
Sounds below. Steps on the stairs. Margaret entered, her head bowed, and brought a card. Daphne nodded, and Margaret went and invited the visitor in.
Latham breezed in, smiling. Behind him Margaret shook her head. No, he had not recognized her. Of course not.
He paused in the middle of the chamber and looked at Daphne. He made a display of admiring her and being impressed. “You are beautiful sitting there, Daphne. The blue of that dress is very becoming.”
He set aside his hat and advanced on her. To her horror, he did not sit like a proper guest but circled around her too closely. “It only lacks an appropriate jewel, my dear.”
Suddenly a little box appeared in front of her eyes, held by his hand. A gold chain and a sapphire gleamed up at her. The box closed and disappeared as quickly as it had come.
“For afterwards, I think,” he said.
He finally sat. He looked around the chamber. “This is pleasant enough. Well located. A quiet street too. You chose well.”
“I would have preferred being on a park, but as a widow, my income is limited. At least I can remain in London, however.”
“Where is your home otherwise? You never said.”
“In the country. In Surrey. Too far to visit London by day easily.”
“Is it just you and that housekeeper here?”
“And a cook.”
“How wonderfully discreet.” He appeared pleased. “I was very happy to receive your letter, Daphne. Our last meeting had not gone well. I thought perhaps—well, let us forget that, shall we. I think that you know that my interest in you has never dimmed. Circumstances did not permit—well, more, in the past. Neither mine nor yours did. It is different now, and you are an independent widow. I hope that I will receive more invitations to call on you in the future.”
He did not speak like a petitioner but like a man who assumed that of course she would want his attentions, especially now that he was a duke.
She remained silent. He frowned above a jovial smile.
“You are uncommonly cool, Daphne. So reserved now. Maturity has enhanced your beauty but perhaps not your manner. I think I need to find a way to melt some of that frost.”
He stood and walked toward her. Her heart beat painfully in fear, but she did not move. She did not let him see it.
Please, please, do not delay. Come soon. Now. She reminded herself that she was not without protection. She had only to scream and she would be safe. But she was not so brave that she did not cringe when he took her hand and raised it to his kiss.
He looked at her, and she knew he would try another kiss next, and not on her hand. He is too bold. Too conceited. Your plan will not work because of it.
“If you are discourteous, Latham, there will be no more invitations. I remind you that I am a gentleman’s daughter.”
His expression fell at the scold. Then he straightened and began laughing.
Suddenly his laugh broke abruptly. A snarl twisted his face. His fingers cupped her chin, hard. He bent so his face was mere inches from hers. “And I remind you that I have already had you, like the whore you are. At least there will be no pretense this time.”
Alarm paralyzed her. Just as she made the decision to call for help, a sound stopped her. A door knocker, then voices below.
Latham heard too. He listened, frowning deeply, while his fingers still grasped her chin. More sounds now, on the stairs and even in the street.
He released her, strode to the window, and looked out. His face fell in surprise.
“Oh, my, these must be my other guests arriving. Did I forget to tell you, Gerome? I decided to host my first party in my new home today.”
“You should not have come, Audrianna,” Daphne said, while she helped her friend ease down onto