Read Online Guilty Series by Laura Lee Guhrke - Free Book Online Page B

scarce believe it.”
    â€œBelieve it, for that is what she said. I do not say please and thank you, she said. I am inconsiderate, arrogant, and—what was it?—selfish. Yes, that was it. She said she was resigning because she did not want to work for me any longer.”
    He sounded outraged—baffled, too, without any comprehension of Daphne’s point of view. Viola was a bit confused herself. What on earth could have prompted Daphne to speak in such a fashion? She seemed such a serene, steady sort of person. “Anthony, when she told you she was resigning, what did you do? Bully her, I suppose.”
    â€œIndeed, I did not. I simply reminded her of her duty to me and my obligation to the Society. She flew into an inexplicable temper, and leveled all manner of insults at my head. Who is she to speak so?”
    Though still puzzled by what had prompted Daphne’s sudden desire to leave Hampshire, Viola could read between the lines where her brother was concerned, and she no longer needed to wonder what had sparked Daphne’s temper on having her resignation refused. He had probably gone on and on about what mattered to him, without a thought for what mattered to her.
    Viola almost wanted to laugh. She had a great deal of affection for Anthony, but he did have his faults, which Daphne had clearly not hesitated to point out to him. Despite the other woman’s quiet reserve, Viola was developing a high degree of respect for her. Reserved, perhaps, but quite able to speak her mind, and stand up to Anthony.
    â€œWhat was the girl thinking?” he demanded, turning away to pace back and forth in front of his sister. “Does she not understand her place? God, does she not know what I could do to her for this?”
    Viola studied him as he moved back and forth in such high dungeon, and she realized she had never seen him quite like this before. Undoubtedly, he had never heard such criticism in his life, and was so outraged by it that his usual coolness and self-possession had deserted him. Daphne had truly gotten under his skin, probably because everything she had said was true, and deep down, he knew it.
    â€œA duke saying please and thank you,” he went on. “How ridiculous is that?”
    Viola was too preoccupied to reply. A thought suddenly occurred to her, a thought that seemed incredible at first, but which took hold with such force that she could not set it aside. Oh, how delightful if he could be persuaded to marry Daphne instead of Lady Sarah.
    The more Viola thought about that idea, the better she liked it. If Daphne was indeed the granddaughter of a baron, her suitability would be disapproved only by a few high sticklers. Viola knew from that look she had caught on Daphne’s face the other day thatshe was a woman of passionate feeling, despite her outward demeanor. She was head over ears in love with Anthony already. She also seemed to know her own mind, and she had the temerity to stand up to a duke. That boded well for future happiness. Of course, his unfair impression of her had to be overcome, as well as her decision to leave and her new, unexpected animosity toward him, a feeling that puzzled Viola. Where had it come from?
    â€œOh, good lord!” she exclaimed as a realization suddenly struck her. “Of course. How could I have been so blind not to see at once?”
    â€œThat is what I want to know,” Anthony’s voice intruded, and made her realize she had spoken aloud. “I am quite put out with you, Viola, as well as with her. What were you thinking?”
    Viola tore herself away from her dismayed realization long enough to reply, “I am sorry, Anthony, if you feel put out.”
    Daphne must have overheard their conversation in the music room, their conversation about her. That explained everything. No wonder she wanted to leave with such haste. No wonder she wanted to go into society and find suitors to soothe her wounded pride. No