Chapter 3 #4
Harry jumped up in excitement. “Hooray! Papa, can we go to dinner too?”
“Of course you must. It’s a thank you dinner to Lady Daisy for saving you,” Aunt Regina said.
Edmund looked away, shaking his head. He was certain his matchmaking aunt was up to no good, again. “Come, Harry. Let’s go see the balloons.” He managed to tug his son away from the ladies a few paces before remembering his manners. “Aunt Regina, are you coming?”
“Of course.” She waved to Lady Daisy and hurried after them.
Daisy drifted slowly back to where she’d last seen Lydia, the entire encounter echoing in her mind.
Lord Harry had really been very sweet, but his father was something else.
His presence dominated the place even though they were outdoors.
His brown eyes had been intense and brooding, even with the sunlight shining through them, lighting up their honey tones.
She worried that she’d stared too hard at them, stared too much at him.
She’d tried her best not to pay him any attention, but her eyes seemed to keep getting pulled in his direction. She could only hope he hadn’t noticed.
While reviewing her own erratic behavior, Daisy spotted Lydia talking animatedly to a group of ladies. Hurrying over to them, she hovered at the edges until Lydia caught sight of her. Her friend’s face lit up, and she excused herself from the group and came over to Daisy.
Daisy smiled at her.
“Where have you been?” Lydia asked.
Daisy shook her head. “I just needed to get some air.”
Lydia looked around before giggling. “We are outdoors.”
Daisy shrugged. “I know. But the air was thick with perfume and powder.”
“I understand. You needed to get away from all the people.”
“I did.”
Lydia nodded and gave her an understanding smile. “Well, and how was it?”
Daisy took a deep breath. “It was…odd. I met a young boy named Harry and saved him from being trampled by a horse. Then his father came by and accused me of recklessness.”
Lydia gave her a look. “You? Really?”
Daisy grinned. “That’s what I said. We had a quarrel, and then his aunt also arrived and thanked me for what I did and invited me to dinner.”
“Did they introduce themselves?”
“Yes, it was the Duke of Blackvale and his aunt, who is the Dowager Marchioness of Archworth. She was quite lovely while he was a grouch.”
“Lady Archworth!” Lydia exclaimed, looking impressed. “She’s known to be quite eccentric. The ladies I was with just now were discussing her upcoming events where she means to pit young couples against each other to earn her favor—that favor being, I understand, quite a bit of money.”
Daisy’s eyes widened. “She asked me about that. Said she could use my advice.”
“Indeed? She must hold you in high regard.”
Daisy thought about Lydia’s words. If she earned Lady Archworth’s ‘favor’ she might be able to pay Lord Dulforth back and get out from under his control.
This is the opportunity I’ve been hoping to find.
“Maybe, instead of consulting on the events, I ought to participate,” Daisy mused.
Lydia inclined her head. “Did you not hear when I said it was for couples? Don’t tell me you’ll ask the Baron to be your partner.”
Daisy grimaced. “Oh God, no. But perhaps I could find someone who is also in need, like me. We could do the events and win, and then we’d split the winnings.”
Lydia frowned, looking doubtful. “Who could you possibly even ask? It would be difficult to find out who is in need and would be willing to admit to it.”
Daisy sighed. “I know.” The sense of despondency and discontent that had clouded Daisy’s thoughts earlier in the day returned.
She knew just as well as Lydia did that few gentlemen would be willing to partner with her because they feared being publicly aligned with her or her father, and even fewer would want to state outright that they needed the money.
If I could conceal my own woes, I certainly would.
Daisy spun slowly on the spot, looking at the face of one gentleman after another.
He’s already wealthy.
He’s set to inherit a fortune.
His mama would never allow him to participate in a competition that was not sanctioned by his own house.
Daisy grumbled to herself as despair set in fully.
“Do not fret,” Lydia interceded.
“I shall try to be optimistic,” Daisy whispered, “but it is such a challenge.”
Lydia patted her hand. “If you cannot face this difficulty, my friend, how do you expect to win Lady Archworth’s games?”
Before she could answer, Daisy heard a peal of boyish laughter and turned to see the Duke of Blackvale, Lady Archworth, and little Lord Harry standing ten feet away.
They had their heads tipped back and were gamely watching the hot air balloon slowly lift off into the sky.
Harry laughed again, and the Duke’s serious demeanor cracked slightly, revealing a pleasant, endearing smile.
There was something about the softening of his features that prompted Daisy to take heart, so she said, “Believe me when I say this, Lydia. I will find myself a partner for Lady Archworth’s games, and we will win whatever challenge stands up against us.”