Page 76 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

She had successfully ignored Lord Dulforth for so long that she hated to have her streak broken now just because they were surrounded by others in a congested ballroom.

His eyes narrowed. “Are you sure? Shouldn’t you check again? It would be rather unfortunate if your father were embarrassed because you didn’t do his friend the courtesy of dancing with him.”

She gritted her teeth and nodded. “You’re right, my lord.” She rose on her tiptoes discreetly and checked the throng for Edmund. She could not find the Duke and immediately felt his absence. “I think I have the next dance free.”

Dulforth smiled. “Good.” He grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor.

She walked stiffly, trying to stay as far away from him as possible.

When they reached a place near the top of the reel, he looked toward Lady Archworth and said, “Has the Dowager Marchioness discovered your subterfuge yet?”

Daisy just looked away, without saying a word.

Dulforth laughed. “The silent treatment? How droll. Do you think I care whether you speak to me or not?”

The music began and he reached for her hand. It was appropriate. Others in the line were doing the same. But Daisy cringed. She could not wriggle away from his grasp quickly enough.

Lord Dulforth did not seem to notice the contempt radiating off her for he continued speaking, “Soon you shall be at my mercy, and trust that I shall repay every slighttenfold.”

She took a deep breath and tried to stop her hands from shaking.

“The time has come for me to call in my debt,” he explained. “And there’s not a thing you can do about it. We both know you lack the funds to satisfy what is owed, and as for finding yourself a rich husband who might rescue you from…”

She snatched her hands away, stepping back from him. “Excuse me, my lord. I’m a little too…unwell to continue this dance.” She whirled around and practically ran from him.

She thought she could hear his laughter somewhere behind her and suddenly felt as if she was suffocating.

She headed for the bay windows that led out into the garden. She burst out of them, breathing hard and found a dark corner in which to sit. As she collapsed onto the flat paving stones, Daisy held a hand on her chest as she tried to bring her breathing back under control.

“Daisy?”

She froze.

Edmund stood just beyond the shadow of the house, as though he had been moving toward her and stopped the moment he saw her properly. His eyes scanned her face.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked.

“I needed air,” she said quickly. “That is all.”

His expression did not ease.

“You left the ballroom looking unwell,” he said. “I followed you.”

“I am fine,” Daisy insisted.

His gaze held hers. “No,” he said quietly. “You are not.”

“I am perfectly capable of deciding that for myself,” she said.

“I am sure you are,” he replied. “But you are still sitting there like you are trying not to fall apart.”

Her breath caught, and she hated that he had seen it so clearly. “I am not falling apart.”

A flicker of frustration crossed his face. “Then tell me what happened.”

“I already told you,” she said, too fast. “It was nothing. A rude man said unpleasant things. I do not need to make it into more than that.”

At that, his jaw tightened. “Dulforth,” he said flatly.