Page 41 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

“Annabella!” she cried before letting go of the Duke’s hand and throwing herself in her sister’s arms.

Annabella chuckled. “I suppose you’re pleased to see me.”

Daisy stepped back. “Always.” She looked around. “Did you come with your Viscount, or did he beg to be left behind?” she asked.

Annabella laughed again. “Oh, he’s here somewhere.” Annabella glanced over her shoulder. “Eli?” she called.

A tall blonde man appeared as if by magic. “Yes, my love?”

Daisy gave a squeal of surprise, jumping a little. “Oh!”

“Apologies.” Eli bowed. “I did not mean to startle you.”

Annabella gave him a fond glance. “I’ve been wanting to put a cowbell on him for some time.”

“You should,” Daisy jested.

“I’ll make an effort to be noisier,” Eli said. He was grinning as he placed a hand on the small of Annabella’s back.

Daisy watched their casual touches and unthinking affection and felt a bite of envy in her belly.

I want a love like that.

She was most appreciative of the Duke for asking her to be his partner. And she would never be able to thank him enough for playing his role to the hilt, but Daisy knew that the Duke of Blackvale did not love her. In a few short weeks, once the Season ended and the games were over, their engagement would be dissolved, and she would have to find a way to move forward without a strong, protective, doting man by her side.

Daisy turned to look at the Duke, so that she might seek some comfort in his proximity, while it lasted, but as she did, her mouth dropped. The Duke was already speaking to someone else, and she recognized his companion as her brother-in-law, Kingsley Scott, the Marquess of Harmstead. He was married to Robin, her older sister. Daisy looked around, seeing her sister hovering a few steps behind Kingsley, just watching him.

“Robin’s here, too?” she whispered to Annabella.

“Yes. Of course she is.”

“But…she barely tolerates me,” Daisy said.

Annabella huffed in amusement. “Well, she could hardly give that as a reason to Kingsley, as to why she didn’t want to attend.”

Daisy chuckled meekly. “I suppose…should I…go and greet her?”

“No. Let her come to you if she will. Of course, they haven’t lost the chance to ingratiate themselves with the Duke.”

“He’s not very good with brownnosing,” Daisy whispered.

Emily laughed. “Are you two gossiping about Robin again?”

“What do you mean,again?” Daisy asked. “We were just noting that she’s present.”

“And marveling that she is?” Emily asked.

Daisy shrugged, looking around the room. “I don’t suppose Merry is here?”

Annabella shook her head. “No, it was too far to come from Scotland and Lochlan was busy with sheep shearing the last time she wrote.”

“She writes to you?” Emily asked in disbelief.

“Of course. Why would she not?”

Emily gave her a wounded look. “Well, she doesn’t write tome.”

“I also get the occasional note,” Abigail said.