Page 43 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

Miss Pitt looked earnestly up at him, nodding her head.

“Long…Yes…long withering out a young man’s revenue,” he finished.

Daisy could not help giggling at his red face and obvious relief at finishing his part.

Miss Pitt held up four fingers, facing the crowd. “Four days will quickly steep themselves in night.” She wiggled her fingers and realized a heavy, highly dramatic sigh. “Five…no…Four…Four nights will quickly dream away the time.” She pointed at Lord Ross’s pocket watch. “And then the sun…er…the moon, like to a silver bow, new bent in heaven…” She lifted both her arms up. “…shall behold the night of our solemnities.”

She dropped her hands, and Lord Ross reached for them. They stood there, clinging to one another, for a long moment while all the others applauded. Daisy joined in, politely clapping and secretly admiring the couple.

Their oration skills and memorization techniques could use some work, perhaps, but it is obvious they care for one another deeply.

Lady Archworth nodded. “Thank you. Next, we have…” She squinted down at the roll of parchment in her hands. “Lord Charles Dennison and Lady Mary Dodson.”

Daisy turned to the Duke. “We have to practice. We cannot flounder as awfully as that first couple did.”

The Duke laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “What an uncharitable thing to say,” he murmured.

“That does not make it untrue,” Daisy countered.

The Duke nodded, pursing his lips to keep from laughing aloud. “Come, let’s look at this and practice a little.” He took her elbow and led her to a quiet corner of the room. Lord Dennison and Lady Mary did not seem to notice them slipping through the crowd. The couple were too focused on their scripts as they kept forgetting their lines and stammering over the rhyme scheme.

“Let’s read through this thoroughly,” Edmund said.

They rehearsed their scene fromRomeo & Julietuntil Lady Archworth announced them. To Daisy’s surprise, the Duke took her hand as they walked to the stage.

With her heart beating hard, she followed him up the stairs, feeling the eyes of everyone in the room upon them. Daisy was used to doing her best to fade into the background. Being the center of attention, especially twice in one day, was not something she enjoyed.

The Duke turned to her, giving her a significant look.

She nodded, realizing it was up to her to begin.

Daisy scanned the page in her hands one more time, then focused her gaze entirely on her scene partner.

“Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day.” She stared into the Duke’s eyes affectionately, saying her lines with all the yearning she felt when watching her sisters with their spouses. “It was the nightingale, and not the lark that pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear.” She brushed her finger against his earlobe and watched as he shivered in response. “Nightly she sings on yond pomegranate tree. Believe me…” She paused before saying the next bit. “My love, it was the nightingale.”

He gave her a nod of approval.

“It was the lark, the herald of the morn,” he began and she shivered at the rich quality of his voice.

She had yet to hear him speak in such a manner. Without meaning to, she had become used to his calm throat clearing and mild tone, but now, listening to him project and articulate each word clearly, she was transfixed by the power the Duke’s voice had over her.

“No nightingale.” He shook his head, then grasped a hold of her hands. “Look, love, what envious streaks. do lace the severing clouds in yonder east.” He rubbed his finger against her arm. “Night’s candles are burnt out, and jocund day.”

She stared into his eyes, getting completely lost in them and taken in by the sincerity in his voice.

“Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. I must be gone and live or stay and die.”

She blinked up at him and sighed soulfully. She jumped as the room erupted with applause, and she turned, seeing that everyone was looking at them with bright and admiring eyes.

Her face heated as she stared at everyone in return. The Duke took her hand and led her off the stage, where Lady Archworth was waiting.

“I don’t even feel biased for saying this. You two were the best performance yet!”

Lord Salwick came up as well and clapped the Duke on the shoulder. “I didn’t know you had that in you, old man. Quite impressive.” He winked at Daisy. “You seemed rather impressed.”

Daisy blushed, stammering a few words in embarrassment.

“Oh, they are such a good match,” Lady Archworth crooned, clasping her hands together.