Page 85 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

She stopped and stared at him. “Promise, Your Grace,” she demanded.

“Very well, I swear I won’t repeat anything you tell me. I will keep whatever secret it is you wish to share quite safe.”

She flicked uncertain glances at him while pacing. Finally, she came to a stop in front of him. “The reason that Daisy needed that money was that her father got into debt. He was unable to pay, and the person he owed threatened to put that about if Daisy were not willing to…” She hesitated and color stained her cheeks.

Edmund felt rage sprout in his belly. “If Daisy were not willing to…what?” he growled.

“Well…he wanted to take liberties with her. He said he would marry her…afterward,if you get my meaning.”

The monster.

Edmund clenched his fist. “Why wouldn’t she tell me this? I would have protected her.”

“She was embarrassed, and she had no reason to trust you, I suppose.”

Edmund suppressed a groan of despair.

“There is something else you should know.”

“What?” he asked, anxiety spiking.

“Daisy is leaving. She said something about going to Scotland and then France. If you have any interest at all in her, you need to move quickly.”

Edmund took a deep breath and then nodded resolutely. “Very well. Leave it with me. I will manage it.”

Daisy fought for all she was worth, wriggling in Dulforth’s arms until his hold loosened on her. She pushed him away, breathing hard and tried to make a run for the door.

He laughed out loud before catching hold of her wrist and pulling her back to him. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Leave me be!”

She hoped that someone might hear her making a commotion and come to see what was happening, but the door remained resolutely closed.

“Help! Help!” she cried as she kept trying to pull away from Dulforth.

He laughed. “Nobody is coming to rescue you. Don’t you understand? You cannot escape me.” He pulled her flush against him, wrapping his arms around her waist.

He bent down and put his lips on her neck. She squeaked in surprise, her body tensing. As anger surged through her, she pushed him away and slapped him hard.

The Baron let go of her wrist, his hand cradling his cheek in shock as he stared at her as if she had sprouted a second head. “You slapped me,” he growled.

“You deserved it,” Daisy said, bosom heaving, heart accelerating in fear. She took a step back and then another.

The Baron made a horrible sound low in his throat. It was animalistic, savage, and caused the tiny hairs on Daisy’s arms to shoot up in terror. She rushed to the far side of the room, putting as much distance between herself and Lord Dulforth as possible.

Good God! Please, save me.

Then what she’d been praying for finally happened. The door swung open. It was pushed so hard that the wood banged against the wall. She looked back to see who her rescuer was, and her heart leaped.

“Edmund,” she whispered.

“Stay back!” he roared; his angry eyes trained on Dulforth.

Dulforth glanced from Daisy to the Duke, then he made a movement indicating that he meant to run in her direction.

Daisy shrieked. She closed her eyes, readying herself for the impact, but a moment later she was enveloped in sandalwood, soft wool, and strong arms. She gasped, tensing slightly in surprise before looking up into Edmund’s face.

“How are you here?”