Page 64 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

“It’s all right. Throw it back,” the Duke said softly, looking around carefully. “We can still win this.”

“Yes, we can.” Daisy nodded resolutely before picking up the hook, fixing it on her rods, and preparing to throw it.

She looked at the Duke, giving him a firm nod before letting the hook fly.

He caught it perfectly between his rods.

“Oh!” Daisy exhaled. “Is that ten?”

“Yes, that’s ten, my lady,” the footman who was acting as their umpire answered.

“Hooray!” Harry shouted, jumping up and down, fists thrown in the air.

Daisy’s first instinct was to go to the Duke, to step closer and savor the moment. She stopped herself, standing where she was instead, smiling, rods held loosely at her side.

Harry did not hesitate. He ran straight to his father and hugged him around the middle, full of overwhelming enthusiasm.

“Well done, Papa,” Harry chirped. “You have won the day.”

The Duke looked up and met Daisy’s gaze. In an unwavering voice, he said loudly, “We have won.”

It was a small consolation, but Daisy accepted it.

I might never win the Duke’s heart, but at least I have bested the game for today.

Chapter Fifteen

Daisy was soon tired. The sun was hot, and she was thirsty. She exhorted Harry to stop playing so they could drink their ratafia before the drinks became warm. Harry was amenable, and they sat on the grass, side by side, drinking from their glasses.

Harry turned to look at her with an enquiring look on his face.

“What is it?” she asked with a smile.

“Nothing. It was only that I wondered about…”

“About what?”

“About your mother. Where is she? I’ve only seen your father around.”

Daisy bristled for a moment. “Well, that is because my mother is no longer with us.”

“Where is she?”

“Well… she unfortunately passed a few years ago.”

“Oh.” Harry seemed to think about this for a while. “My mother died too.”

Daisy swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. She knew full well what it meant to lose a mother. Harry was lucky. At least his father was still trying to be a parent. She flicked a glance at him, an unexpected understanding filling her. He had a lot on his plate, raising a child alone.

He must have loved his late wife a great deal.

Daisy recalled how her own father fell apart after her mother died. But the Duke had remained strong. She found that she had a newfound respect for his resilience and a greater understanding of why he was not interested in marriage.

Who would want to feel that pain again?

“I’m sorry for your loss, dear.”

Harry nodded. “I’m sorry, too, Lady Daisy.”