Page 94 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

“I had to do something!” Lydia cried, before reaching out to clasp Daisy’s hand. “Say you forgive me for betraying a confidence.”

“I forgive you,” Daisy said at once. “It was for a good cause.”

“And now you’re really marrying him!”

Daisy sighed dreamily. “I am. I can hardly believe it. He’s been so charming and dashing and...”

“Did he deal with Lord Dulforth?”

Daisy straightened up, fixing Lydia with a serious look. “You would not have believed it. He came bursting into the parlor like an avenging angel and saved me from that wretched man just in the nick of time. Can you imagine?”

Lydia snorted. “A scoundrel will do anything,” she said drily.

“Indubitably. Let me start from the beginning,” Daisy replied before launching into her story for her captive audience.

It was exactly what she needed.

Epilogue

ONE MONTH LATER

The month between the proposal and their wedding day seemed to pass at the speed of thought and also drag as slowly as a donkey cart.

But now, the day was here, and Daisy could hardly believe it.

The house was noisy with all her sisters and their families, but she stayed in her chambers, taking advantage of the need to prepare to isolate herself. The only other person present was Amina, who was currently curling her yellow hair after helping her with her corset and petticoats. Once she was done with Daisy’s coiffure, she’d help her into her gown.

Daisy kept glancing at it, unable to believe it was hers. She had never seen anything so beautiful. It was a silver gown with green veins threading through it from collar to hem. Patterns were traced all through the gown, drawing the eyes like tributaries of a river on a map. The bust of the dress was lined with pearls, as were the collar and sleeves.

The lined bustier cradled her bosom lovingly before falling to the floor in a flowing A-line.

There was a knock on the door. “The carriages are here!” Merry called.

“Coming,” Daisy replied.

Tears pricked her eyes as she reflected on how far she and Amina had come.

“Thank you. For everything,” she said to the maid.

Amina smiled. “It’s nothing, my lady.”

“Do not be so modest. I’m not sure how I would have managed without you. You’ve been my strength for so many years. I’ll miss you.”

“I won’t be but a long walk away, my lady. We’ll see each other all the time.”

Daisy reached out and squeezed her hand. Amina blinked a few times then straightened up from smoothing over Daisy’s skirt.

“Come, you don’t want to be late for your own wedding.”

Daisy smiled. “No, I do not.”

They headed out to the carriages that would take them all to the church.

Daisy had invited only a few people aside from her family. She did not have many friends, and neither did the Earl. There were a fewtonladies who had finagled an invitation by currying favor with her. She resigned herself to the prospect that she might have people toadying to her, for an advantage. It was a lot to get used to.

Edmund’s side of the church was even more packed. Lady Archworth had taken it upon herself to invite all her friends, and Edmund also had a large number of peers who were in attendance.

Daisy walked down the aisle on the Earl’s arm, smiling and nodding at faces she recognized.