"Yes," he said, even though he knew it could not be true. They might find contentment, but it would never be just as it was.
She smiled, closed her eyes, and rested her head against his shoulder. "Good."
Simon watched their reflection for several minutes. And he almost believed he would be able to make her happy.
* * *
The next evening, Daphne’s last night as Miss Bridgerton, Violet knocked on her bedroom door. Daphne was sitting on her bed, mementos of her childhood spread out before her, when she heard the rap. "Come in!" she called out.
Violet poked her head in, an awkward smile pasted on her face. "Daphne," she said, sounding queasy, "do you have a moment?"
Daphne looked at her mother with concern. "Of course." She stood as Violet edged into the room. Her mother's skin was a rema
