Chapter 4 #2
I am not here to charm the Duke. I must remember that his approval means very little at this point. It would be best to focus on appealing to Lady Archworth, if I wish to participate in her games.
“I knew you had noticed,” Lady Archworth said.
Her own right eyebrow hooked high on her forehead, and for a second, Daisy had to stifle a giggle.
She could not tell if the Dowager was mocking her nephew or if that particular quizzical expression was one the whole family appropriated.
The Duke grunted into his soup bowl, then bowed his head and continued eating.
“Tell me, Lady Daisy… Do you live in London throughout the year, or retire to your father’s seat for the winter and spring?”
Daisy shuddered inwardly at the thought of staying at the old drafty castle that sat on Claymore land. It was quite rundown with a skeleton staff overseeing its operation. Daisy would surely freeze to death if she ever attempted to stay there in the colder months.
“I stay in London. My father does as well,” she said quietly.
“Mm.” Lady Archworth nodded. “That is curious. Perhaps you’d be interested in joining me this Christmas at Archworth? I usually have a ragtag group of friends visit during Christmastide. They’re all quite delightful. You would enjoy yourself.”
Daisy mouth opened and then closed. She had no idea how to respond. She flicked a glance at the Duke, wondering what he thought about that invitation, but his focus seemed to be all on his soup.
“That’s very kind of you, my lady.” Daisy said vaguely, “I shall have to see whether my father is agreeable.”
“Oh, I’m sure he will be. He wants you to have the right connections, does he not?”
Once again, Daisy could feel her face heat. It seemed Lady Archworth had taken a fully accurate measure of her father already.
“I would be delighted to join you for Christmas, Lady Archworth.” This insertion came from Lady Williamson, the woman sitting on the Duke’s other side. “Especially if His Grace will be in attendance, too.” She smiled sweetly at the Duke.
The lady was pretty with her head of sunshine yellow hair and blue eyes, but the Duke did not seem to have noticed. At least, he hadn’t looked up from his bowl of soup. Lady Archworth affected not to hear her either, turning to speak to the gentleman sitting to her right.
Daisy suppressed a smile. To be invited was mind-boggling enough, but to watch Lady Archworth snub another lady of the ton was even more gratifying.
Speaking of grasping nobles…
She looked up, in search of her father. One of the serving girls was by his chair, pouring him more wine. Daisy could only hope it was only his second glass. She doubted it, though. Her father could go through bottles of wine as if they were nothing more than water.
Lord, please let him not embarrass us tonight.
The second course arrived, which consisted of roast venison and boiled potatoes with apple compote and French beans.
Daisy tucked in, knowing that it wasn’t often that she got the chance to eat this well.
She looked up, and her eye caught Lydia’s, who gave her a friendly smile.
Daisy smiled back, grateful for her friend’s presence.
If her father grew unruly, at least she knew she had some help.
The meal proceeded, and for a few moments, the only sounds renting the air were those of cutlery on china plates and the whispered murmurs of approval from ladies and gentlemen alike who were thoroughly enjoying the finely prepared dishes.
But then, just as Daisy was about to take one last bite of sweetened apples, Lady Archworth raised her glass in a toast, and everyone else followed suit.
“I want to thank you all for agreeing to attend my dinner. I know people say I’m a bit eccentric, and mayhap I am, but nevertheless, you all decide to spend your time dining at my table, so I cannot be so very odd, especially when I am surrounded by such lovely company!
” She raised her glass. Daisy, as well as the others, chuckled heartily before taking small sips from their goblets.
With the toast complete, the Dowager continued, “I would like to announce that this Season, I will be hosting several competitive events for couples. The winning couple will receive a generous endowment from me, a means to start a life together in relative ease. To that end, I mean to reward the sum of ten thousand pounds to the winning pair.”
There was an uproar around the table as everyone began talking at once. Daisy could only stare, dumbfounded by the Dowager Marchioness. Ten thousand pounds sounded like the answer to all her prayers.
It would enable me to pay off my father’s debts and start life anew, beholden to no one…except my partner in the games.
Her eyes met Lydia’s, and she widened her own in excitement. Lydia clapped loudly, which urged others in her vicinity to do the same.
While the others showed their jubilation and began planning for the events, the Duke leaned toward Daisy and asked, “You mean to enter these ridiculous games?”
She turned to face him. “Perhaps.”
Immediately, it occurred to Daisy that the lightness she had seen in his eyes before was gone. The bright sparks were extinguished and had been replaced by darkness that spoke of melancholy or maybe even resentment.
Flustered by this change, Daisy could not help but add, “Is there any reason I should not participate?”
The Duke hunched both shoulders up around his ears, giving an enormous sign of indifference. Then, he swiveled in his seat so that they were looking at each other squarely. Daisy felt as if he were trying to tell her something, but she could not fathom what he meant to say.
She was on the verge of asking him to answer her question plainly when he breathed, “You may do as you please, my lady.”
Daisy nodded curtly, then turned away from his intense stare. “So, I shall.”