Page 26 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

“Quite right. Alberts, have my steward send out two invitations, one to the Earl of Claymore’s daughter and one to Lord Salwick.”

“Right away, Your Grace.” Mr. Alberts gave a bow and left the room.

Edmund could feel his aunt’s eyes on him and turned to face her, his eyebrows raised. “Have I something on my face, Aunt?”

“No, I am just surprised at how quickly you agreed to this idea. You usually do not like hosting.”

“Yes, well, it’s Winston. He’s hardly a stranger, and Lady Daisy does not seem like one to expect all the tedious formality. And I have every confidence that Harry will keep her well occupied.”

“Hmm.” Lady Archworth continued to watch him with a narrow gaze but said nothing more.

Keeping his face blank, Edmund returned his attention to his plate.

His aunt would not be easy to fool. They would both do well to remember that.

Daisy walked slowly down the stairs, flinging her shawl over her shoulders. The morning was crisp and bright, and she was looking forward to her walk with Lydia. No doubt the other woman had a lot of questions about the night before. Daisy was not sure what she would say.

“Amina, would you make me a hair of the dog, please? I have the worst headache.” She heard her father’s voice in the hall below her and paused, reluctant to see him after last night.

“Of course, my lord. Shall I bring it to your study?”

“Yes, do that. As fast as you can, Amina.”

Daisy heard footsteps scurrying away and resumed her descent down the stairs. She reached the bottom and almost ran into her father, who was still standing by the staircase, leaning against the wall. They both jerked in surprise, and the Earl immediately began to scuttle away towards his study, avoiding her as if he hadn’t seen her.

“Good morning, Father” she called after him.

He nodded and mumbled something she didn’t quite catch before hurrying the last few feet toward his study and opening the door. She stared after him.

Shall I ever get used to his bizarre behavior? I suppose not.

Then she heard the doorbell and knew Lydia had arrived. With a sigh, she turned away from her father and hastened to open it. With Amina making the hair of the dog, there was unlikely anyone else close by to answer the door. They no longer had a butler, and the other two maids had no doubt begun the cleaning for the day. The house might be old and falling apart, but there was no reason for it to be dirty.

She opened the door and beamed at her friend. “Good morning, Lydia.”

Lydia, who wore a buttercup yellow walking dress and matching bonnet, smiled back gamely while reaching for the crook of Daisy’s arm. “Morning. Are you ready to go?”

“Of course. I can’t wait.”

They hurried off down the road, dodging carriages and vendors wishing to sell them pigeon pies or flowers. At the end of the street, they turned into the back gate at Hyde Park and left the bustling streets behind.

Daisy sighed in relief. “That’s better.”

Lydia nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, much. We could hardly discuss the details of last night with all those other people crowding around us.” Her bright eyes sparkled with mirth as she pinched Daisy’s arm playfully. “But now, I wish to know everything. Why were you and the Duke out on the veranda for so long last night? What were you discussing so secretively?”

Daisy paused. She was not sure if she should tell her friend the entirety of her conversation with the Duke. While she did not mind sharing her part of the agreement with her dearest friend, it seemed a tad inappropriate to tell his secrets. So, Daisy took her time carefully tiptoeing through the finer details. She told Lydia her own feelings and motivations but kept the Duke’s affairs to herself.

Once she finished her recitation, Lydia turned to peer at Daisy. “And you agreed with him?”

Daisy stepped over a log. The Hyde Park path was just up ahead, and even so early in the morning, there were some stragglers taking the air.

“Yes. What else could I do? Join with Dulforth?”

Lydia shuddered. “Certainly not. But the Duke is a grumpy sort. Will anyone honestly believe that you are a couple?”

“You do not need to be polite about it, Lydia. I know I am beneath his touch.”

“Nonsense!” Lydia yelled before consciously lowering her voice. “He’d be lucky to have you.”