Page 29 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

Winston was silent for a while before he snorted. “You and Mary were hardly the picture of romance. Perhaps you can sell this relationship with Lady Daisy in the same way. Instead of asking people to believe that you are lovers, you might do well to convince them that you are at least smitten with one another.”

“Yes well, Daisy and I don’t plan to be lovers anyway.”

“You know what they say about plans. Man proposes, God disposes.”

“When exactly did you become God-fearing?” Edmund mocked.

“The point is, sometimes the line between pretending and having actual feelings is quite thin.”

Edmund laughed. “That sounds like wishful thinking.”

“Lady Daisy Murray is quite the prime article, as I recall. If she were better endowed financially and her father were not such a stain on her name, she would have been snatched up long ago.”

Edmund frowned, not happy with the thought of anyone else getting their hands on Lady Daisy. He remembered all too clearly the look of consternation that had marred her features when she had been cornered by Lord Dulforth. While he still did not know exactly what passed between them at his aunt’s dinner party, Edmund could not bear the thought of seeing Lady Daisy so distraught ever again. “She is more than a beauty, Winston.She has quick wits and an honorable nature. She wouldn’t settle for just anyone.”

Winston smirked. “Is that so? You sound almost fond.”

Edmund sighed in irritation. “I know how much you love to be right, but you are wrong about this, my friend. Lady Daisy is safe with me. I am a gentleman, and nothing of any sort is going to happen between us.”

“You may be a gentleman, Edmund, but you are also a man. Don’t go forgetting that.”

Edmund rolled his eyes. “You are infuriating.”

Winston grinned. “I’m honest.”

Before Edmund could respond, the butler stepped into the room to announce the arrival of Lady Archworth, as well as Lady Daisy and her father. Winston and Edmund got to their feet to receive the visitors.

Lady Archworth’s face lit up as soon as she saw Winston. “Lord Salwick. What a pleasure. Have you and Edmund been conspiring? You have that look about you.”

Winston laughed. “I suppose you shall never know.” He turned his attention to Daisy and made an elegant leg. “Lady Daisy, it is a pleasure.”

She sent Edmund a quick look of confusion, then recovered just as hastily. “Have we been introduced? My apologies, I don’t remember.”

Edmund smirked as Winston explained to Lady Daisy that they’d met at a house party during her debut Season.

“Forgive me,” she said with a sheepish smile. “There were just so many introductions then.”

Winston put a hand to his heart. “I can imagine that a beauty such as you wasinundated.”

Daisy blushed. Her long lashes swept downwards to cover her eyes. Edmund had noticed she did that when she did not want her expression to be read.

“I…well, it was my debut. I was just new to it all.”

“Modest as well as beautiful,” Winston said.

“Lord Salwick, kindly stop embarrassing the lady,” Edmund said drily, and Winston flipped him a wink before moving aside to greet the Earl.

Edmund stepped forward and bowed in front of Lady Daisy. “Lady Daisy. A pleasure to see you again.”

She instituted a curtsy. “You as well, Your Grace.” Her eyes remained cast demurely downward.

Edmund smiled warmly at her. Then, he turned and nodded to her father. “Lord Claymore.”

The earl bowed grandly. “Your Grace, my daughter and I thank you for the honor of this invitation.”

“It is my pleasure to play the host this afternoon.”

At his words, Edmund did not miss the stunned looks that Winston and Aunt Regina sent each other. But he did choose to ignore them.