Page 35 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

Harry rushed forward and performed a deep bow. “Thank you for joining us, Lady Daisy.” She curtsied to him in return, then they both swiveled and looked at Edmund expectantly.

Not more than a few seconds passed before Harry whispered impatiently, “Kiss her hand, Papa. Thank Lady Daisy for coming to visit.”

Edmund moved to grasp her hand, but then, at the last second, thought better of it. Instead, he bowed to Lady Daisy and made her an elegant leg. “It was my pleasure, Lady Daisy, Lord Claymore.”

Daisy blushed, giving a curtsy before taking her father’s arm and exiting. Edmund tried not to watch her go, but the effort was futile. He could not resist capturing one last glimpse of her coy smile or admiring the way the late afternoon sunlight brought out the highlights in her curls.

“You are in deep,” Winston whispered as soon as the door closed behind Lady Daisy and her father.

“Yes…I just might be.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity. Don’t waste it,” the Earl said even before the carriage had taken off from the Duke’s home.

“I don’t know what you mean, Father.” Daisy had felt warm and delighted all afternoon, but now that she was alone with her father, a sudden chill came over her.

“Don’t be obtuse, Daisy. Everyone noticed how much attention Blackvale paid you. Including you, judging by how flustered you were. So don’t pretend innocence here. You have a chance to save us from all our debts. Make sure you don’t waste it.”

Daisy turned to glare at her father. “I don’t feel you are in any position to give me instructions further, considering you’re the one who got us in this mess.”

The Earl turned to face her slowly, his face cold and angry. “I’m still your father, Daisy. You cannot speak to me that way.”

Daisy huffed but said nothing. She crossed her arms and stared out of the window, feeling angry at her father but also confused by the Duke. She wasn’t sure if they were still putting on a show for his aunt or if he’d meant the things he’d said and done.

He suckled my finger!

She held the offending digit up, studying it. It had long since stopped bleeding, though she still had the Duke’s handkerchief clutched in her hand.

What did it mean?

The carriage came to a stop, and she looked out, realizing they’d already arrived home. She opened the door and stepped out, not waiting for her father, and marched up into the house.

“Daisy!”

She came to an abrupt halt but did not turn around.

“Whatever you think of me, you know I’m right,” her father said from behind her as he scrambled to catch up quickly. “Secure the Duke’s attention for the good of our future, or else I will be forced to send you to live with your aunt Jemima.”

Daisy rounded on him. She was appalled by this new twist of fate. She hated her aunt. The lady loved to treat Daisy like a glorified companion, ordering her about and making her perform the most undignified acts in return for the chance to stay in her house. Daisy would rather live on the street than go back there.

But is Aunt Jemima preferable to Lord Dulforth…

Daisy had to clamp her teeth together to avoid screaming. She wanted to rail at her father for his callousness. She wanted to harp on him for being so calculating and cold. But instead, she merely gave a sharp nod to let her father know she understood before hurrying off to her rooms. She had a lot to think about, and she did not want to do it in front of her father.

She closed the door behind herself and sat on the bed. Her father was right. Of course, she knew that. It was the reason she’d been trying so hard to get into the competition. Once she paid off her father’s debts, perhaps she could leave London and work as a tutor or find a man who would take her, dowry or no, and settle down. It would be her fondest wish.

The thought of never seeing the Duke or Harry again caused a pang in her chest she couldn’t quite ignore. But those feelings were foolish.

The Duke is my partner in this game. But when the competition is over, I shall move far away from here. I will leave London, my father, Lord Dulforth, and even terrible Aunt Jemima behind.

Despondency shrouded those thoughts when she recalled Lord Harry’s invitation to come for a breakfast of freshly caught fish, but she banished it quickly.

The Duke is my ally today. But I must not expect too much of him. He will help me win. Then, I must decide what to do with myself after the games have ended.

Daisy was just sitting down for breakfast when Amina came in with a bouquet of roses. “These came for you, my lady.” She held forth a lovely bundle of white posies.

Daisy looked up in surprise. “From where?”

Amina silently handed her a note. Daisy unfolded it with trembling hands.