Page 31 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

Lady Daisy slid his aunt a sidelong glance. Edmund thought about intervening, but for some reason, he was interested in her reply.

“Well…of course, I would not shun them. I cannot imagine doing that to a child. But it would be difficult for me to state what I would do with any certainty when I have no experience with such a situation.”

Edmund lifted his chin, oddly proud of her answer. She might be young, but she comported herself well and thought through her responses before giving them.

“A wise woman, after my own heart,” Lady Archworth said, echoing his thoughts.

Daisy nodded in acknowledgment. “Thank you, but really it’s common sense.”

Edmund smirked before taking another sip of his tea. In his time on earth, one thing he’d come to know for sure was that common sense was not so common.

“Edmund, what do you think?” his aunt asked.

He raised his eyebrows, wondering why he was being dragged into the conversation. “I think she’s right. A person never knows how they will act in any situation until they are confronted with it.”

Lady Archworth nodded. “Oh, so you are both in agreement?” she smiled. “That’s good.”

Edmund opened his mouth to caution his aunt about building castles in the air, but then remembered Winston’s words.

If I am to convince everyone that Daisy and I are really a couple, I cannot reject every aspersion Regina casts in our direction.

“Well yes, Aunt. Lady Daisy and I agree on a number of things. We found that out during our last meeting.”

Lady Daisy widened her eyes at him meaningfully. He nodded to her, then jerked his eyebrow slightly, indicating that now was the time to begin playing along and present a united front.

She gave him a shaky smile while placing her teacup on her saucer and folding her hands neatly in her lap. “Yes, your nephew has some fascinating views that I am eager to explore further.”

Lady Archworth beamed. “That is wonderful news. Simply wonderful.”

Chapter Seven

Winston got to his feet. “Edmund, you really should show us your gardens.” He turned towards Daisy. “He had one of the foremost French landscapers working on it. It’s said the man was responsible for designing the gardens at Versailles.”

“Surely not?” Daisy said skeptically, “Are they not extremely old?”

“Of course thegardensare old, but the landscaping is new,” Winston said before turning to Edmund. “There is no use having such a beautiful backyard if no one sees it.”

Edmund chuckled while getting to his feet. “Very well then. Let’s go.” He reached out a hand for Harry to take, but Winston intercepted the boy.

“You’re with me, darling boy,” he declared.

Daisy put down her cup and stepped towards Lady Archworth. But the Dowager Marchioness pivoted so she might address Daisy’s father instead. “Lord Claymore, would you be good enough to lend me your arm?” she asked.

The Earl hurried over to her. “Of course, my lady.”

Daisy looked towards the Duke with a sigh. With an ironic smile, he held his hand out to her, and they followed the others out of the room.

“Why do I feel herded?” she asked in a soft whisper.

He chuckled and spoke through very thin lips, as though they were sharing a secret, “Because you have been. You see now what I mean about my aunt?”

“Andyour bosom friend, apparently.”

The Duke’s lips pursed slightly as he gave her suggestion some thought. “No, Winston is just trying to make a point. He has an almost pathological need to be right. And I’m afraid this time around his needs and my aunt's wishes intersect.”

They stepped out into the garden. Daisy squinted at the brightness of the sun. She wished for a moment that she’d thought to carry a parasol. Most women of thetonwould be more mindful of their skin, but Daisy had too many things on her mind to bother before she left the house that morning.

She looked up to see the wisteria hanging below the windows, the scent of their purple flowers wafting down towards them. “Did your landscaper plant those as well?” she asked.