Page 49 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

“We… we should get back to the others,” he said.

Daisy almost shook her head, but halfway through the motion, she changed it to a nod.

He took her arm and led her out of the copse of trees, heading towards Harry, who was picking flowers with Mr. Oswalt and the Earl.

What was that?

The thought popped into her head as the Duke towed her toward the others in their party.

She had no name for what had just occurred nor any experience that could be equal to it.

Daisy stared at the Duke, trying to read his expression, but he gave her no indication of what he was thinking or feeling.

When he pulled them up short so that they might stand alongside Harry near the shoreline, Daisy continued observing the Duke.

He said he knew the difference between what was real and what was just for show. So, what am I to make of that kiss? Was he just pretending to comfort and soothe me, or…did it somehow mean much more?

Chapter Twelve

Daisy startled awake the following morning, her body still hot from dreams of the Duke’s hand exploring her uninhibited. She recalled his hot breath blowing against her ear, and her mind lingered over the way his tongue had traced patterns on the seam of her upper lip before plunging into her mouth and plundering her.

Her body felt slick with sweat and other wetness she could not identify.

“Lady Daisy?”

She jumped, gasping as she looked towards the door, but then recognized Amina’s voice and tried to control herself. “Y-yes?”

“Miss Kerwood has arrived to see you.”

“Oh. Give me a moment.” She pushed off her duvet and put her feet on the cold floor.

Daisy shivered as she crossed over to the jug of chilly water. She poured some water into the basin and washed her face, shivering in the early morning cold. The fire had long gone out in the fireplace with no one to tend it.

She covered herself with a shawl as she conducted the rest of her ablutions and chose her light blue muslin gown to wear. Sweeping out of the room, she walked downstairs and into the parlor with a smile on her face. Lydia got to her feet, hands held out to Daisy.

“Good morning, my friend. How are you today?”

She sighed deeply, her cheeks rosy as her thoughts went immediately to the Duke. “I am well. And you?”

Lydia nodded. “I am fine. I thought we might go out and visit the modiste. I need some new gowns now that I am left on the marriage mart all on my own,” she teased with a smile.

“I have no doubt you will find the man you’ll accept as your husband.”

“But first, you should break your fast. Amina said she woke you just now.”

“No, it’s fine. We can go.”

“Nonsense.” Lydia reached out to ring the bell, as if she were the mistress of the house. “You must at least have a scone and some tea.”

Daisy nodded reluctantly and took a seat while Lydia took charge of ordering breakfast. She ate the scone and drank the tea as fast as she could before she and Lydia took off for the town.

They stopped first at the Haberdashery to pick up lace and ribbons before going to the draper’s to look over some fabrics.

Daisy purchased a toffee-colored ribbon that sparkled in the sunlight, which reminded her of the Duke’s eyes, while Lydia bought a green ribbon to wear in her hair. She also purchased an array of red and blue ribbons, which she claimed would match a gown she planned to wear soon.

“Give me some of that blue muslin,” Lydia said to the draper, pointing to a bolt of sky-blue fabric.

Daisy nodded with approval. “It will look well with your blue eyes.”