Page 51 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

Edmund sighed deeply. “Yes, I need it.”

Winston frowned. “Tell me more.”

He shook his head. “Nothing to tell. Just… thoughts.”

“Thoughts?” Winston repeated the word skeptically as though he had never heard the like.

Edmund nodded glumly. “Yes. And if it’s all the same to you, I would prefer not to speak of it.”

“Very well.” Winston lifted his glass. “Let’s talk of other things, then.”

They worked their way slowly through the bottle of brandy and called for food. A platter of meat and bread arrived as they socialized with other members of the club who came to their table, while also carrying on their own conversations.

Throughout, the image of Daisy haunted Edmund’s mind. The temptation to go and knock at her door, just so he might kiss her again, was strong.

What is happening to me?

His mind went back to the day before, finding her hunched over and halfway to hysteria. The urge to protect her was irresistible, and he’d reached out to her.

When did my regard for her change? When did my pretend feelings start to become real?

Perhaps she was right to question him because the amount of willpower it was taking to stay seated and talk to Winston instead of roaming the streets, trying to seek her out, was concerning.

“Something wrong?” Winston asked.

“No.” He looked up at his friend. “Why?”

Winston gave him a cynical look. He pointed toward the left side of Edmund’s face. “You look worried, but also your eyebrow has been arched in that manner for nearly a quarter of anhour. I figure you have either been puzzling over some complex problem or you have frozen in place.”

Edmund gave him a weak grin. “I have not frozen, as you can see perfectly well.”

Winston laughed, but then he grew serious. “If there is something troubling you, you know you can speak of it with me. I will keep your confidence.”

“I know you will. I have no doubt.”

“Well then?”

He sighed. “I cannot. There’s nothing really to tell. I am just…beset by unfamiliar emotion, and I don’t know what to do with it.”

Winston nodded sagely. “You mean because of the lady?”

Edmund gave him a sharp look. “Do you mean Lady Daisy?”

Winston snickered. “Is there any other lady we might wish to discuss?”

Edmund leaned back, tapping his hand on the table next to his glass. He had drunk only a few sips and now was suddenly feeling parched. “What am I to do?”

Winston laughed. “Nothing you haven’t already done,” he said smartly. “She is to be your bride. It is good that you regard her well.”

Edmund pursed his lips and nodded once. It was difficult to speak to anyone without betraying Daisy.

I suppose I shall just have to sort this out for myself.

Daisy was having a desultory breakfast in the sunroom when Amina came in, jittering with excitement.

“My lady, some packages have been delivered for you.”

She raised both eyebrows in surprise. “Packages? For me? Are you sure?”