In the dining room at Bridgerton House, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken words. The family was seated around the grand table, and directly opposite Daphne sat the Duke. The chandeliers cast a soft, golden glow, highlighting the tension between them.
The Duke was utterly mesmerized by Daphne, who wore an elegant pink outfit. The soft fabric clung to her form in a way that made his heart race, and he just wanted to touch her once. But that was hardly possible as they were opposite to each other on a long table.
Her cheeks were flushed, perhaps from the heat of the room or the intensity of their silent exchange, and her eyes sparkled with a mix of emotions he longed to decipher.
Daphne couldn't help but admire the Duke who was looking so handsome in his light blue outfit, the color enhancing his striking features. She was also happy and also not happy seeing him there.
His intense gaze met hers, revealing his craziness for her, but to her, it all felt pointless.
Anthony, sensing the charged silence, decided to intervene. "Sister, I didn't know you knew Simon,".
"I don't," Daphne replied, her voice steady but eyes betraying her emotions. "We just had a formal encounter at the ball."
Simon felt a pang of sadness hearing those words, especially hearing them from Daphne's mouth. The distance and formality in her tone was unbearable.
"Oh, I see." Anthony looked at both of them.
An awkward silence settled over the table. The only sounds were the clinking and rattling of utensils against the fine china. The tension was palpable, an invisible weight pressing down on both Duke and Daphne.
Anthony broke the silence, his curiosity getting the better of him. "What brought you back to Mayfair after all these years?" he inquired, his tone casual but his eyes keenly observant.
Simon's flickering gaze shifted from Daphne to Anthony. He took a deep breath before answering. "Some business matters," he said, trying to keep his tone neutral.
"Well, whatever happened, I'm just simply glad to see you here after so long," Anthony replied.
"But that's not all he is here for," Lady Danbury interjected, her voice dripping with insinuation, a sly smile playing on her lips.
Simon's jaw tightened slightly, and he could feel Daphne's eyes on him. Her presence was a constant distraction but hearing Danbury's words totally alarmed him.
He didn't want anyone to know anything. Considering how reserved he was, he wanted to keep everything a secret just like he kept Daphne a secret for quite some time.
"What does that mean, Lady Danbury?" Anthony's curiosity was piqued, his brow furrowing with concern.
Simon interjected abruptly, attempting to deflect attention. "It means nothing. Lady Danbury exaggerates."
Lady Danbury chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Hide all you can but you won't be able to hide your marriage thing for so long. They all will eventually know. After all, don't tell me you won't invite your dear friend, Anthony."
The atmosphere at the dinner table shifted from serene to animated, conversations springing up among the guests.
Amidst the lively chatter, two people sat in silent turmoil. Anthony, feeling deeply betrayed by his friend's hidden engagement, struggled to reconcile Simon's actions with his perception of him. Daphne, on the other hand, felt a pang of betrayal and disillusionment. She had believed in Simon's integrity, only to discover he had used her for his own desires while already promised to another. It was a stark realization that shattered her image of seeing him as a gentleman.
"You're getting married and I didn't know?" Anthony's voice held a stern edge, his eyes searching Simon's face for answers.
Simon got all flabbergasted. He completely lost his mind. He didn't know what to do.
He just wanted to ask Daphne and then proceed further with this marriage thing. And now seeing it all out in the open, all his plans were shattered right then and there. Also, seeing Daphne already mad at him before confirmed to him that he needed to do something to make her like him.
Listening to what Lady Danbury just said, Daphne felt the ground beneath her feet give way. At that moment, the world seemed to spin too fast, and she couldn't bear to sit still any longer.
Danbury ruined everything for him in an instant. And just when Simon thought, things couldn't get any more worse but they did in the most heart wrenching manner.
"I'm not feeling well. Excuse me," she managed to utter, her voice strained with emotion as she hastily rose from her chair and fled the room. She needed to escape the suffocating presence of the Duke, to find a moment alone to gather her thoughts.
Lady Bridgerton, ever the attentive mother, hurried after her daughter, concern etched across her features. Meanwhile, the other guests attempted to carry on their conversations, but the tension in the dining room was palpable, heavy with unspoken words and raw emotions.
Simon's mind raced with regret and guilt, unable to shake the image of Daphne's hurt expression.
This day had turned out to be disastrous for both the Duke and Daphne.
Duke was not at all interested in talking to anyone. Especially now seeing how he might have hurt the only person he didn't want to. Anthony continued his speculation but Simon was not taking any part in that.
To silence Anthony's accusations, the Duke spoke with controlled fury, "No, I'm not married, Anthony. Nor am I engaged. You don't know because I haven't done anything yet. I was planning to find a wife this year, planning to surprise you when I found someone."
With a frustrated sigh, he pushed back from the table, shooting a pointed glance at Lady Danbury. "But now, it's all over."
Meanwhile, outside Daphne's room, Lady Bridgerton anxiously awaited her daughter's return. Daphne sat near the door, tears streaming silently down her cheeks, struggling to regain her composure and hide her distress.
"Please, I need to rest," Daphne managed to say, her voice trembling slightly. The last thing she wanted was company; she needed time alone to process everything that had just happened.
The Duke stormed off, ignoring everyone around him. "Do not follow me. Especially not you, Lady Danbury."