Page 40 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

He was indeed a remarkable sight.

She felt a shiver wrack her frame as she looked at him and blinked a few times, trying to compose herself. He turned, his eyes meeting hers, and the heat in her cheeks increased.

He gave her a small smile and quirked one eyebrow as if asking a question. She blinked a few more times, wondering if he realized that she had been admiring his body, but then remembered that they were supposed to announce their engagement at this party.

She gave him a nod just in case he was asking for permission from her. He nodded back and made his way to the podium, where his aunt was talking to various women. He bent down and whispered something to her, and she bobbed her head agreeably.

The next thing Daisy knew, the Duke was climbing onto the stage. Her eyes went wide as the Duke cleared his throat and called the crowd to attention.

The Earl grabbed onto her wrist, squeezing tightly. “I think he’s making the announcement that will concern us,” he whispered. “Come.”

He pulled her until she was standing right below the podium.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” the Duke began, “I have an announcement; one I’m sure many of you have not been anticipating.”

He looked around the room as the murmurs died down and everyone turned to face him. Daisy expelled a nervous breath.

“I would like to announce my engagement.”

A shocked yet muted roar went through the crowd. Daisy looked around nervously, fidgeting with the emerald she wore around her neck.

“I would like to inform you all that Lady Daisy Murray and I are engaged to be married and, if all goes according to plan, we shall enter and win Lady Archworth’s Games.”

The muted roar became much louder as people expressed their shocked opinions. It did not surprise Daisy that so many people were astonished by their supposed union. She could not help but feel slightly embarrassed about it all.

Lady Archworth began to clap, her face beaming, and the Duke stepped down from the stage. He took her hand and offered hera gentle smile. Daisy searched his face, looking for any hint of inauthenticity, but he seemed sincere.

I really must speak to him candidly soon.

People came up to them, starting with his aunt, to convey their congratulations. Then, to Daisy’s surprise, she noticed her oldest sister approaching with a wide smile on her face.

“Daisy! This is a huge surprise. I never imagined you’d find yourself a Duke.” Abigail was accompanied by her husband, Lucien, the Earl of Frostford. Both were dressed immaculately, and they looked ever so pleased.

Lucien also smiled at Daisy. “Congratulations, Sister. This is great news.”

He seemed to be quite serious about it. Daisy had not had much interaction with him after the wedding since they lived on the other side of the country, but she liked him well enough. Her sister was much older than she, and they barely grew up together, but Daisy still loved Abigail with all her heart and was well-satisfied with her choice of husband.

“Thank you for your good wishes,” Daisy said shyly.

Abigail reached out and squeezed her hand, looking fond. “Emily is here too.” She turned and pointed at their third-born sister, who was speaking excitedly to their father. Her husband, Victor, hovered in the background.

Daisy remembered that her father had tried to borrow some money from Victor during one of his gambling binges, and the Baron had turned him down quite firmly. Relations had been strained ever since.

Will he try to ask the Duke of Blackvale for money now?

The Duke, as if he could feel her apprehensions through the hand he was holding, gave Daisy’s hand a tiny squeeze. Renewed by his efforts, Daisy waved to Emily when her sister glanced her way, and Emily beamed at her.

“I’m surprised,” Daisy said to Abigail. “I did not expect to see you all.”

“Well, if you must know, Papa invited us.”

“He did?” Daisy asked in surprise.

“Yes. He said he had some happy news to share. I suppose the happy news is your engagement to the Duke,” Abigail said.

“No, the happy news is that she bagged herself a rich duke.”

Daisy whirled around to see Annabella, her second-oldest sister, smirking at her. She had always been Daisy’s favorite, maybe because she made an effort to include Daisy in her activities even after she left home.