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“How did you intend it to go?” she asked.
Mr. Huxley ran his hand over his slicked hair, looking entirely unsure of himself. “I had hoped you would be appreciative of everything I have done for the coal workers.”
“Indeed, I am.”
“Enough so that you would accept my offer of marriage.”
Daphne stared at him in stunned disbelief. “Are you in earnest?”
“I am.”
“I thought you were doing all of this because of your sister and the promise you made to her?” she asked.
“I’m doing it for that, as well,” he replied.
“You are unbelievable, Mr. Huxley,” she declared as she stood up.
He rose and gave her a sheepish smile. “I must assume that was not meant to be a compliment.”
“No, it most assuredly was not,” she said, her voice rising.
Her grandmother stepped into the room and glanced between them. “Good heavens, whatever is the yelling about?”
Daphne crossed her arms over her chest. “I believe Mr. Huxley was just about to leave.”
Mr. Huxley looked displeased by her words, but he didn’t disagree. “I think that might be for the best.” He bowed stiffly. “I hope you both have a pleasant day.”
After he departed from the room, her grandmother gave her a curious look. “What was that all about?”
“Mr. Huxley offered for me.”
“Again?”
“Yes, but he was trying to entice me into marriage by helping the coal miners,” she explained.
“That was poorly done on his part.”
“It was,” she replied, dropping her arms to her sides. “I must admit I was blindsided by it all. He had spoken to me about how he wanted to be a better person, and I fell for it.”
Her grandmother stepped closer and placed a hand on her sleeve. “That is because you have always believed the best of other people.”
Daphne huffed. “Except for Phineas.”
“Well, Phineas is a complicated person.”
“That he is,” she agreed. “But I truly thought Mr. Huxley had changed.”
Her grandmother removed her hand. “I know, dear.”
“He was just trying to trick me into marrying him,” Daphne said. “I was such a fool.”
“You mustn’t be too hard on yourself.”
Daphne sighed. “I just wish I didn’t feel like a cash prize to the men in town.”
With a knowing look, her grandmother remarked, “Mr. Stewart doesn’t look at you like that.”
“You are right,” Daphne agreed, “but Mr. Stewart has never shown me any favor.”
