Page 27 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke
“Would he?” Daisy snorted. “Can you just imagine how my father will behave when he learns of our alliance?” Daisy shook her head mournfully. “Papa is sure to do something untoward, and then the Duke will think less of him…and me, by extension.”
“I do not think that likely.” Lydia tapped the tips of her fingers against the crook of Daisy’s elbow. “I will not pretend to know His Grace well, but he does not strike me as the sort of gentleman who would enter into this agreement with you while turning a blind eye to your father’s…faults.”
Daisy groaned. “You think it is inevitable, then? Papa will embarrass me in front of the Duke and…”
“I think the Duke will not allow a little humiliation to sway his own thoughts and feelings.” She lifted her free hand and tucked an errant lock of hair back underneath her bonnet where it belonged. “If he offered to be your partner, then the Duke means to side with you—no matter the situation.” She hummedthoughtfully. “I understand the Duke is very protective of his son. I do believe he was of his wife as well.”
“I understand that she died many years ago,” Daisy said softly, feeling a bit guilty for prying.
“In childbirth, I believe.” Lydia nodded.
“How tragic.” Daisy bit her bottom lip. Sympathy for the Duke and Lord Harry squeezed her chest.
“Isn’t it always?” Lydia returned.
They shared a commiserating look, knowing that when their time came, they were just as likely to roll the dice on whethertheywould survive childbirth.
With a sigh, they resumed their walk.
Daisy enjoyed the bracing wind that bit at her face, waking her up completely and clearing any lingering cobwebs from her mind. If she thought about it too much, the prospect of partnering up with the Duke felt a bit daunting.
Lydia was right. He was rather brooding, in a deeply intriguing way. But who would believe he looked at her and saw a future bride? She was plain old Daisy, and he was tall and imposing. His eyes alone could hold anyone captive.
What am I thinking? All things considered, the Duke would never willingly marry a woman like me.
“Perhaps I should call it off,” Daisy said abruptly, giving voice to her conflicted musings.
Lydia stopped walking to give her a concerned look. “Is it because of what I said? I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t mean to dissuade you. Of course you can manage. You’re the most capable person I know.”
“Well, it’s manage this, or marry Dulforth, so I suppose I’ll have to.”
“Oh Daisy.” Lydia squeezed her arm. “Ifanyonecan help you with this, it’s the Duke. So you were quite sensible to enlist his help.”
“Well, actually,heoffered to help me so…” Daisy said drily, resuming their walk.
“Even better.”
“Uncle Winston!” Harry shouted before throwing himself into the man’s arms with absolutely no regard for his safety. Edmund watched from the sidelines, unable to help, grinning.
His friend caught his son in his deftly then captured him in a massive bear hug, making Harry squeal.
“How is my favorite nephew then?” Winston asked as he relaxed his grip.
“I’m fine. What did you bring me?”
Winston grinned even as Edmund sent Harry a chiding look. “Is that how we speak to guests, Harry?” Edmund asked.
Harry shook his head, pursing his lips. “Sorry, Uncle Winston. May I please have my present?”
Winston laughed. “Of course.” He reached into his coat and extracted a package, which he handed over to Harry. “It’s a toy carriage made by a gypsy woman and enchanted to move.”
Edmund cocked an eyebrow at him. “Don’t tell the boy fairy stories, Winston.”
Winston crossed his hand on his chest dramatically. “I swear it’s the truth. Open it.”
Harry excitedly tore the paper with which the toy was wrapped and held it up. Edmund saw that it was a very faithful replica of their carriage, complete with the House of Blackvale crest on the door. It had miniature wheels, and when Harry put the carriage on the floor, it rolled a few feet before coming to a stop.
Winston leaned into Edmund so he could whisper in his ear. “There’s a mechanism you can use to wind it up,” he murmured.
