Page 95 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

Soon however, her attention was captured by Edmund and Harry who stood at the altar, clad in matching morning dress. Their grey morning jackets, crisp white shirts, black breeches, and hessians were all tied together by grey cravats. The way they had slicked back their hair was almost too much for her to take.

She hastened her footsteps, wanting to get to them faster. Everyone else in the chapel disappeared, and all she could see was Edmund. She reached him and his warm hands slid over her gloved ones as he smiled down at her.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured.

“Thank you,” she mouthed back as the priest began the service.

“Dearly beloved, we are here…”

She heard those words, but then they all just faded away, and all she could see was Edmund’s face. His eyes were filled with softness and warmth.

Her cheeks hurt from smiling, and she could barely get the words out when the priest asked her to repeat after him.

Then Edmund was slipping a gold ring on her finger, and the priest was declaring them man and wife. Something inside of her seemed to fall into place, as if she was now complete.

There was a cheer from the crowd as Edmund led her out of the church and into the carriage. Harry climbed in behind them, and they made their way to Edmund’s house for the wedding breakfast.

“Lady Daisy… I… I wanted to ask… Well, are you my mother now?” Harry asked.

Daisy gasped, looking towards Edmund. He gave her a slight nod, and she turned back to Harry. “Well, your late mother will always be your mother. Officially, I am your stepmother, though I would be incredibly happy if you called me mother. Or mama.” She smiled, and Harry grinned back. “But only if you want to.”

“All right, Mama,” Harry said, his grin widening.

Daisy gave a little squeal, clutching her heart. “I shall try my best to be worthy of this title,” she said solemnly.

Edmund raised the hand he was holding and kissed her knuckles. “We shall try our best to be worthy of you, too.”

Daisy felt her cheeks heat. “You always know just what to say, Your Grace.”

“I say the truest things, Duchess,” he replied.

Her heart jumped at being referred to like that. It hadn’t really sunk in that she was a Duchess now, the highest ranking of all her sisters. She hardly knew how to take it. All she had ever wanted was to be wed to a man who loved her and to feel safe and wholly cared for by him. She could never have imagined Edmund.

Most of the guests had already arrived by the time they drew up at the house. They’d taken the scenic route so that they’d have time to do so. Everyone was excited about the chance to take in Edmund’s gardens.

A large number of tents had been set out near the pond, and most people were seated by the time they went down. They sat down on a raised dais and were joined by Winston and Lydia as well as their families.

Harry had no interest in sitting down, however. Not with so many people about. He ran between tables, talking to guests andasking them questions. Daisy and Edmund watched him for a while with trepidation.

Edmund leaned close to whisper in Daisy’s ear. “Should I send Mr. Oswalt to get him and make him sit down?” he asked.

Daisy shook her head, suppressing a shiver at the feel of his cool breath on her skin. “No. Let him be. It’s not as if he’s being a nuisance. Mr. Oswalt or his nurserymaid will fetch him soon enough so he can go and eat with the other children.”

He placed a hand on her knee and squeezed. “He has enjoyed spending time with your little nephews and nieces.”

“Yes, it’s been quite nice.” She agreed with a shaky nod, her breath coming faster.

“I’m glad our families get along so well.” He ran his finger back and forth along her thigh, and she was hard put not to melt into a puddle at his feet.

“Yes, and my father has been doing quite well too. He hasn’t come home drunk once all month.”

He nodded, adding a second finger to his caresses. “That’s hopeful.”

“Mmm.” Her eyes closed as she felt the warmth of him, the sparks of electricity produced by his touch.

Then the first course came around, an exotic fruit salad with mangoes and bananas as well as apples, covered with dollops of cream. It was Daisy’s first time tasting both mango and banana.

“I had them sent from the West Indies,” Winston said, leaning over to speak to her.