Page 25 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

“I mean that you and Lady Daisy were rather warmer with each other later in the evening than I suspected after seeing the way you devoured your dinner and barely spared her more than a cursory glance. Is there something you wish to tell me?”

Edmund looked up into his aunt’s gleaming eyes and suddenly understood exactly why he’d made that bargain. “I have nothing to say at this time.”

Her eyes widened with glee. “At this time, you say? How interesting.”

Just then, Harry came bouncing into the room, bringing his infinite energy with him, much to Edmund’s relief. He smiled at his son even as Harry ran around the table to embrace his aunt.

“Aunt Regina, you’re here!” He exclaimed.

“Yes, I’m here, dear boy. Since I was deprived of your company last night, I thought it best to appear magically at your breakfast table this morning.” She patted his shoulder affectionately. “Tell me, how are you today? Have you had your breakfast, or will you be joining us?”

Harry instantly climbed into a seat. “I want to have my breakfast with you.”

Edmund nodded indulgently. Usually, Harry tended to have breakfast with Mr. Oswalt, but Edmund would not send him away. He could not deprive himself of seeing his son’s joy.

The butler stepped forward to pour Harry a glass of milk and set a piece of toast in front of him.

“How was the dinner?” Henry asked as he picked up a bit of toast and took to covering it with a thin layer of marmalade. “Did Lady Daisy come? Did she ask for me?”

Edmund exchanged a fond smile with his aunt.

“She did indeed come and ask after you,” she replied. “We had to tell her the dinner was too far past your bedtime for you to attend.”

“I would have stayed up,” Harry protested as he let his knife drop with a clatter.

“Yes, you would have, and then you’d be tired all day today,” Edmund said.

Harry pouted. “No, I wouldn’t.”

“Yes, you would. Don’t argue with me,” Edmund retorted.

Harry’s lower lip protruded a touch, but he refrained from arguing further.

“You know, you could invite her here to see you again, if you’re so eager,” Aunt Regina said to Harry after flicking a glance at Edmund.

She really cannot help interfering.

“Yes!” Harry shouted. “Oh, do let’s invite Lady Daisy to join us. Can she come here, Papa? Please?” He clasped his hands together as if in prayer and fixed Edmund with a pleading stare.

Edmund sighed in defeat. “We can invite he?—”

Harry didn’t wait for him to finish. “Hooray!” He seized his piece of toast, took a tremendous bite, then chewed happily. “I’ll show her my toys, the horse and carriage, all my drawings, the stone I found at the creek…” He continued to list all the things he’d show to Lady Daisy when she came around as Edmund watched him with an affectionate smile.

When Harry stuffed the rest of his piece of toast in his mouth and was momentarily rendered speechless while he chewed, Edmund turned toward his aunt. “You see what you’ve done?”

She waved a hand dismissively. “It’s good for himandfor you.”

Edmund frowned, a feeling of unease making his stomach turn. He did not want his aunt to get her hopes up too high. “For the sake of propriety, we should invite more guests. Shall we send word round and ask Winston to pop by as well?”

His aunt widened her eyes at him. “Your friend, Winston? Isn’t he out of town?”

“No, he returned to London last night, I believe.”

“Yes! Let’s invite Uncle Winston, too. I love Uncle Winston,” Harry cheered.

“Well then, that’s settled,” Edmund said with quiet satisfaction. “We’ll invite them both to tea.” He looked up at the butler, who was standing by the buffet. “Mr. Alberts, would you inform Mrs. Grey that we are to have guests for tea?”

“Don’t you have to invite them first?” Lady Archworth asked while giving him a wry smile.