No one needed further explanation. Daily visits would compromise her entirely. Rumors would flourish. Questions would arise. Even if she managed to maintain her composure, the scrutiny of Society would grow relentless, and her family’s honor would be placed under constant threat.
“Enough,” Daniel grunted, stepping forward, his broad frame partially shielding his sister.
Victoria rejoined Daphne then as well. She linked elbows so that the twins, as their brother, were instantly united against the interloping Earl.
“My sister has made it clear that she is not interested in your attention, Briarwood. Move on.”
The muscle in Daniel’s jaw was taut and his fists were clenched.
Several passersby paused, curious eyes flicking toward the small tableau. Daphne could feel their attention press on her, yet all she noticed was the effort her brother made to remain restrained. When Lord Briarwood produced no words or comments of his own, Daniel snorted hotly, then turned away from him. His hand subtly guided her and Victoria away, pulling them along the path with protective insistence.
The supposedly relaxing walk had been entirely ruined. The wind that had seemed so refreshing a moment ago now felt sharper, carrying with it the weight of Briarwood’s presence.
Daphne wriggled closer to Victoria’s side, struggling to keep her face serene, even as her chest tightened with fear and indignation.
She did not need to turn around to know that Briarwood’s gaze followed them. He watched them greedily as if he were cataloging every detail of her movements.
The park, usually a place of respite, had become a stage, and she was trapped at its center.
That night, it was time for a family discussion. Their sisters were invited together with their husbands: Marianne with Dominic, Elizabeth with Alasdair, and Wilhelmina with Gerard. There was so much influence and power in the Grisham townhouse that night, but they were all concerned about Briarwood’s growing obsession with their Daphne.
“No one dares cross him,” Alasdair noted.
“He does have a massive influence in various circles,” Dominic added, rubbing his chin. “I have acquaintances with greater wealth who are afraid of him.”
Daphne’s heart sank further with each declaration, even though the gentlemen merely reiterated that which she already knew.
“We must do something,” Marianne insisted, her voice trembling with fury. “I will never let that man near Daphne. He is dangerous.”
“I will break his teeth if he comes anywhere near my sister again,” Victoria spat.
She had always been the volatile twin, but this time, there was pure hatred in her eyes that Daphne had not seen before.
“Victoria, remember that if you act against Lord Briarwood independently, people will see you as the villain, then. The consequences of that will not be pretty,” Elizabeth reminded her sister, who glared at her. “I am on your side, Vicky, and Daphne’s, too, but we need to be calm about this.”
“Do you all want me to use the might of the pen, instead?” Wilhelmina asked.
Daphne’s sister had written a column under the name of Lady Silverquill. She had first done it to alleviate her income as a widow, writing about members of theton. Once she remarried, the necessity was no longer there, but Wilhelmina was still capable of penning quite the diatribe.
“No. It’s too dangerous,” her husband, Gerard, said. “Briarwood will not take kindly to having his name run through the muck.He’ll seek you out and most certainly reveal your identity to thetonas revenge.”
“I agree,” Marianne said. “As much as I want to ruin this man and make people see just how dangerous he is, we don’t want you implicated, Mina. The danger won’t be to your name alone.”
There were murmurs of assent from the rest of the family, except for one disgruntled Dowager.
“You are all looking at this most foolishly,” their mother snapped, her voice sharp and brittle as glass. “Do you not understand? If Daphne dares refuse the Earl, he will ruin us: our name, our standing, and every carefully preserved piece of our family’s reputation. Do you imagine Society will excuse such insolence? Every whisper, every glance will mark us disgraced!”
“You acknowledge what the man can do, and yet, you push Daphne toward such a monster. Is that the sort of husband you want for your daughter?” Daniel thundered. “I don’t want my sister forced into marriage. Not now, not ever.”
Daphne was aware of how her brother had somehow transformed from the easygoing young man who toured the continent before settling back into London. He was not afraid to talk in front of three Dukes who were also his brothers-in-law.
“Foolish children, all of you,” the Dowager said, her voice clipped, though at forty-five she was scarcely older than some of the younger Dukes. “I do not wish to hear complaints if your imprudence brings difficulty upon the family. You aredealing with a man whose influence stretches beyond theton, beyond the genteel walls of Mayfair. It would be most unwise to underestimate him.”
“Think of it this way,” Daniel retorted. “We’ve managed to survive our father, your late husband. We can survive Briarwood.”
“Do not be naive,” his stepmother hissed. She turned to Daphne, inclining her head ever so slightly. “Think of what is proper, my dear… for the sake of the family. Surely you would not wish to see them slighted. Or hear thetongossiping of your refusal.”
“I will not!” Daphne declared, her voice firm. “I do not claim to seek love, though I would not refuse it if it were offered honestly. But I will marry no one who cannot at least show me respect. A husband must honor his wife, not merely claim her name or her position. I am of theton, yes, but I am still a person! I will not be bargained or cajoled into a life that diminishes me.”
