Page 19 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

“You thought wrong.”

“Yes,” she mused. “Apparently, I misunderstood everything.”

Daisy knew that she was the one doing a bit of exaggerating now, but not one single thing about this dinner had gone as she had anticipated. In her mind’s eye, she had thought this would be a quiet, rather intimate gathering in which only she, her father, and the Dowager’s relatives were present. Instead, she was surrounded by at least twenty members of thetonand stuck sitting next to the Duke, who seemed quite reluctant to engage with her.

“Lady Daisy,” the Dowager Marchioness cut in just as Daisy was preparing to explain her own comment more fully, “that is a lovely gown you are wearing. The color brings out your beautiful eyes.”

Daisy smiled, looking down at her gown that was the color of polished jade stones. It had belonged to her mother, who had ordered the silk from China and then had it made by a local seamstress. Wearing it made Daisy feel closer to her late mother, and it was one of the few gowns she had left that was suitable for such company.

“Th-thank you, Lady Archworth,” she said.

The Dowager Marchioness turned to the Duke. “Don’t you agree, nephew? Don’t you think Lady Daisy is rather becoming in that frock?”

The Duke looked up from his soup. His right eyebrow arched high on his forehead as he turned a quizzical expression first onhis aunt, then Daisy. His eyes barely flicked toward her before he answered, “It’s certainly… eye-catching.”

Daisy bristled. His words were not quite complimentary, nor were they scathing. Yet, she felt as though he was silently judging her.

Calm yourself, Daisy.

She blew a heated breath through pursed lips.

I am not here to charm the Duke. I must remember that his approval means very little at this point. It would be best to focus on appealing to Lady Archworth, if I wish to participate in her games.

“I knew you had noticed,” Lady Archworth said.

Her own right eyebrow hooked high on her forehead, and for a second, Daisy had to stifle a giggle. She could not tell if the Dowager was mocking her nephew or if that particular quizzical expression was one the whole family appropriated. The Duke grunted into his soup bowl, then bowed his head and continued eating.

“Tell me, Lady Daisy… Do you live in London throughout the year, or retire to your father’s seat for the winter and spring?”

Daisy shuddered inwardly at the thought of staying at the old drafty castle that sat on Claymore land. It was quite rundownwith a skeleton staff overseeing its operation. Daisy would surely freeze to death if she ever attempted to stay there in the colder months.

“I stay in London. My father does as well,” she said quietly.

“Mm.” Lady Archworth nodded. “That is curious. Perhaps you’d be interested in joining me this Christmas at Archworth? I usually have a ragtag group of friends visit during Christmastide. They’re all quite delightful. You would enjoy yourself.”

Daisy mouth opened and then closed. She had no idea how to respond. She flicked a glance at the Duke, wondering whathethought about that invitation, but his focus seemed to be all on his soup.

“That’s very kind of you, my lady.” Daisy said vaguely, “I shall have to see whether my father is agreeable.”

“Oh, I’m sure he will be. He wants you to have the right connections, does he not?”

Once again, Daisy could feel her face heat. It seemed Lady Archworth had taken a fully accurate measure of her father already.

“Iwould be delighted to join you for Christmas, Lady Archworth.” This insertion came from Lady Williamson, the woman sitting on the Duke’s other side. “Especially if His Grace will be in attendance, too.” She smiled sweetly at the Duke.

The lady was pretty with her head of sunshine yellow hair and blue eyes, but the Duke did not seem to have noticed. At least, he hadn’t looked up from his bowl of soup. Lady Archworth affected not to hear her either, turning to speak to the gentleman sitting to her right.

Daisy suppressed a smile. To be invited was mind-boggling enough, but to watch Lady Archworth snub another lady of thetonwas even more gratifying.

Speaking of grasping nobles…

She looked up, in search of her father. One of the serving girls was by his chair, pouring him more wine. Daisy could only hope it was only his second glass. She doubted it, though. Her father could go through bottles of wine as if they were nothing more than water.

Lord, please let him not embarrass us tonight.

The second course arrived, which consisted of roast venison and boiled potatoes with apple compote and French beans. Daisy tucked in, knowing that it wasn’t often that she got the chance to eat this well. She looked up, and her eye caught Lydia’s, who gave her a friendly smile. Daisy smiled back, grateful for her friend’s presence. If her father grew unruly, at least she knew she had some help.

The meal proceeded, and for a few moments, the only sounds renting the air were those of cutlery on china plates and the whispered murmurs of approval from ladies and gentlemenalike who were thoroughly enjoying the finely prepared dishes. But then, just as Daisy was about to take one last bite of sweetened apples, Lady Archworth raised her glass in a toast, and everyone else followed suit.