The Duke and I

Simon gets drunk at the local pub and deliberately fights with two sailors, beating them viciously as he pictures punishing his father. He continues drinking as he rides home, determined to make Daphne see his point of view and share his bed again. He drunkenly calls her name, and she lets him in, stunned to see he can barely walk. Simon, emotional in his intoxication, tells her that she must understand his desperate desire to defeat his father’s vision for him. Daphne tries to tell him his own successes are worthy, but he says, “what he w-wanted was a perfect son, someone who’d be the perfect d-duke, who’d then m-marry the perfect duchess, and have p-perfect children” (334). Daphne is moved by his plight but is too tired to explain to him that his quest for vengeance is not the same as living a truly fulfilled life and he can choose differently.

She finally persuades him to go to bed, but he insists she stay with him. Daphne, doubtful but still filled with love, drifts off. The next morning, she realizes he is physically aroused and still drunk, and contemplates that she “could have whatever she wanted” (338). She initiates sex, which Simon is enthusiastic about until she holds him in place so he cannot withdraw when he ejaculates. Simon realizes she has done this deliberately and loses control of his speech. He accuses her of seeking a pregnancy and storms out. Later, Daphne finds a note from Simon requesting she contact him only if she conceives a child.

Daphne curses her own naiveté in thinking that “her love was so good, so shining, so pure that Simon would immediately abandon the years of resentment and pain that had fueled his very existence” (343). Daphne debates her culpability and considers confiding in Mrs. Colson, but ultimately decides to return home.

Lady Whistledown’s next missive reports Daphne is in London.

Daphne decides to exert her right to live in Simon’s family home, Hastings House. Violet soon arrives, demanding to know what has happened, but Daphne decides she cannot confide Simon’s secrets, and does her best to assure her mother she will be well. Colin arrives, also demanding answers, and assuring her Anthony and Benedict are out of town. Again, Daphne refuses to explain. Daphne realizes she may be pregnant, and eventually writes to Simon.

Before she can post the letter, a furious Anthony arrives, but Daphne warns him, “if you interfere in my affairs, so help me God, I swear I will never speak to you again” (353). To satisfy him, she gives Anthony the letter for Simon and agrees he can deliver it, after forcing him to promise he will not read the letter or injure her husband.

Anthony finds Simon in the distant region of Wiltshire. Simon has not heard from Daphne in two months. He misses her but grows pale once he realizes Anthony has come with a letter. Anthony asks with some exasperation why the two have parted, since it is obviously not due to lack of care for each other. Anthony reminds Simon he has social responsibilities, and that soon there will be gossip about Daphne remaining alone. Looking back at their encounter, Simon decides to forgive her, but also identifies the real source of his rage: “She’d rendered him mute, brought back that awful, choking feeling, the horror of not being able to say what he felt” (360). He reads her letter and decides to leave for London.