Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
“Papers…Documents…My desk is positively covered in detritus…Isn’t Jeeves supposed to oversee this?” Edmund complained to himself as he looked through the week’s bills.
He had a very capable steward, but that did not stop him from trying to keep an eye on his own finances. He did, however, dislike the process of actually looking through the paperwork.
The door burst open, and his aunt stood in the frame, glaring at him like an avenging angel.
He cocked one eyebrow in surprise as he got to his feet. “Aunt Regina…you seem…upset.”
He wondered what he could possibly have done to precipitate this.
She stepped into the room, still glaring at him. “Upset? Why would I be upset? Have you done something that might upset me?”
He inclined his head to the side, affecting consideration of her words. “I do not think so. Perhaps you can enlighten me if I have.”
“I suppose you haven’t read the trades this morning,” she said.
His brow furrowed as he gestured for her to sit before coming around the desk to pour a drink. “You know I don’t read those rags.”
“Well, you should, because there is an article in there about you.”
“Me?” His eyebrows rose higher. “What could they possibly find to write about me?”
“Apparently, someone spotted you leaving the jeweler’s, and on further investigation, it was discovered that you left with a woman’s ring.”
Edmund’s mouth pursed. “Upon investigation? What did they do, hound my jeweler?”
“I can’t say. And that is not the point. Who are you buying rings for, Edmund? Are you thinking of getting engaged?”
He expelled a breath as he took his own seat. “I am,” he admitted.
The Dowager Marchioness gasped. “What?” Her hand fluttered to her chest. “To whom?”
Edmund regarded her briefly, a smile playing on his lips. “Well, if you must know, I asked Lady Daisy Murray to be my wife.”
“Daisy?” Lady Archworth said in a high, breathless voice. “Our Lady Daisy?”
“First of all, she’s not ours, and secondly, I believe I supplied you with her last name, so it should be clear enough by now.”
Lady Archworth made a whooping sound, clapping her hands and grinning. “I shall ignore the sass. That is wonderful news! Lady Daisy will make you an excellent wife. I knew the moment I met her that she was the right woman for you.”
Edmund felt a pang of guilt for deceiving his aunt so thoroughly. “I think that’s a tad dramatic, Aunt, don’t you?”
Regina narrowed her eyes at him. “Dramatic? Moi? No, darling, dramatic is going ring shopping after having only two meetings with a particular lady. Whatever happened to courtship?”
He huffed a laugh. “I’m not one for courtship.
I know it is proper to court Lady Daisy, but I would rather not tarry much.
Besides, what would I do? Take her for ice cream at Gunther’s?
Promenade in the park?” He shook his head.
“And for what? To what end? To find out what I already learned that she’d make an appropriate Duchess? ”
Lady Archworth beamed at him. “Appropriate? Heavens, Edmund, I know you’re not the romantic type, but you must recognize that the young lady is kind, protective, and sharp-witted! Not to mention quite becoming.”
Part of him wished to halt his aunt, yet another part of him, a deep, secret, hidden part of him, couldn’t disagree with her.
“Still, the courtship is not just about knowing the other person,” his aunt went on. “It gives you a chance to charm the lady and make her fall in love with you.”
“I don’t need her to fall in love with me. That is not important. What matters is that we understand each other and are aligned in our goals,” he said flatly, glad that he was not lying about that.
Lady Archworth sighed tiredly. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, I suppose. You are choosing a bride as deserving as Lady Daisy, and that is a good start. The rest will come. Have you told our dear Harry?”
He shook his head. “Not yet.”
“Whyever not?”
“Because I’m waiting for the right time.” Edmund just hadn’t thought about doing it since this was all a farce anyway.
“Nonsense!” his aunt scoffed, and before Edmund could stop her, she took up the bell and rang it imperiously.
The butler appeared in moments. “Mr. Alberts,” she said, “Fetch Harry for us right away.”
“Yes, my lady.” Mr. Alberts bowed and left as Edmund’s heart rate increased.
He would have preferred not to involve Harry in his chicanery with Lady Daisy. He knew that his son liked her and did not want to raise his hopes. But he could not keep this entire business a secret from the boy, either. It would be hopeless.
Harry skipped into the room with a big grin on his face. “Did you summon me, Papa?” he said before bowing in front of Lady Archworth. “Good morning, Aunt Regina!”
Harry looked from one to the other, his face bright with curiosity.
“Good morning, my boy. Your father has something to tell you,” Lady Archworth said, beaming.
Edmund pursed his lips.
“What is it, Papa?” Harry asked.
Edmund sighed. “It’s about Lady Daisy.”
He jumped. “Lady Daisy? Is she here?”
“No, she is not,” Edmund said.
“What is it about her, then?”
“Well… I have asked her to…to… marry me,” Edmund said at last.
“Really?” Harry asked. His eyes widened hopefully. “Does that mean you shall marry Lady Daisy soon?”
“I…er…” Edmund stumbled when he tried to answer that question.
Lady Archworth had no such issues. “But of course they shall marry soon,” she replied.
The whoop Harry let out was so loud that Edmund was sure they must have heard it all the way across Westminster.
Harry skipped about the room with joy. “Oh, we are going to have such a good time when she comes here!” Suddenly, he stopped and considered his father curiously. “How did you get her to agree?”
“Well, I asked her, and also spoke to her father, as is customary. Why?” Edmund asked.
“Because you’re so… grouchy! You’re lucky she said yes, you know that, Papa?”
Lady Archworth snorted into her handkerchief, and Edmund narrowed his eyes in her direction, attempting to hush her, before turning his attention back to Harry. “Well, I would hope you’d think she’s lucky too.”
Harry jumped high, shaking his head. “No, we’re the lucky ones.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re pleased at least.” On any other occasion, Edmund would have been gratified to see his son so thrilled, but since this engagement with Lady Daisy was merely a ruse, he felt dishonorable.
When the games ended, and he and Lady Daisy parted ways, Edmund did not wish to break Harry’s heart.
“Now, if you’ll excuse us, I want to speak to your great aunt alone. ”
Harry nodded. “Very well, Papa. Good day, Aunt Regina!” He called before skipping out of the room.
Edmund could hear him calling for his tutor, telling Mr. Oswalt he had news to share.
Edmund’s heart sank. This charade was quickly running out of control.
“Well? What do you want to discuss with me, Edmund?” Lady Archworth asked.
“I was thinking of announcing my engagement to Lady Daisy at your soiree at Almack’s. Would you have any objection?”
“Of course not. That is a splendid idea!” She clapped her hands. “I am so happy for you, my boy. This is the best decision you could ever make, you’ll see.”
Edmund nodded, avoiding her gaze to hide his discomfort.
The Earl actually paid for Daisy to get a new gown for Lady Archworth’s party. Daisy quickly dismissed the worry about where he got the money, telling herself she would be out from under his thumb soon. When they arrived at Almack’s, she was extremely glad about the new gown.
The other guests were showing out in the latest fashions, resplendent with feathered caps and gowns made of Chinese silk and other expensive fabrics.
Daisy smoothed down her emerald-green saffron gown and lifted her chin proudly. She looked the other guests in the eye as they passed by her and her father and refused to be cowed.
Almack’s had been transformed into a makeshift auditorium.
The musician’s gallery served as a stage, surrounded by white chairs arranged in semicircles.
To the side of the room was a long table, groaning with refreshments and finger foods.
Not just bread and butter, but cucumber sandwiches, honey cakes, pies, savory desserts, and sweets.
Daisy looked at all the food in wonder. It was certainly an elevated fare from what was usually served at Almack’s.
“They certainly spared no expense,” her father murmured at her side.
Daisy flicked him a glance, and her face flushed pink at having almost the same thought.
“Seems Lady Archworth has quite a bit of change to spare, eh?” the Earl smirked, looking around with avarice in his eyes.
Daisy let go of his arm, putting some space between them just because she did not want to be associated with his words, much as she had been thinking them herself. She felt queasy as she thought about it. She did not want to be anything like her father.
Shame crept through her as she recalled the way they had both reacted initially upon seeing the Dowager’s home as well as the Duke’s townhouse.
I must try harder. I must not allow my father’s greed to worm its way into my own thoughts.
Her eyes swept the crowd and landed on the Duke.
He was standing at the other end of the room, dressed sharply in a black suit that fitted him like a glove.
His black breeches tucked into his Hessians outlined his long, muscular legs with loving devotion, while his evening jacket, tied with just one button, emphasized how well his broad shoulders tapered to his small waist.
He was indeed a remarkable sight.
She felt a shiver wrack her frame as she looked at him and blinked a few times, trying to compose herself. He turned, his eyes meeting hers, and the heat in her cheeks increased.
He gave her a small smile and quirked one eyebrow as if asking a question. She blinked a few more times, wondering if he realized that she had been admiring his body, but then remembered that they were supposed to announce their engagement at this party.