Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Edmund didn’t know what he was thinking, suckling on Lady Daisy’s finger like that. He’d done it without thinking because it was what he would have done had the thorn pricked his own skin. But then again, he and Lady Daisy were not quite the same. For instance, she was far more sensitive.
He hadn’t missed her reaction to his touch.
She’s likely never been touched by a man before, and to have me do something like that while we were walking through the garden…
He didn’t know if he should apologize or not, and so he decided to distract her with conversation. Yet, there was still something about her demeanor that told him she remained shaken.
When they sat down at the gazebo, Harry took over her attention, and Edmund did not know if he was relieved or disappointed. Winston sat next to him and leaned close to whisper in his ear. “You were saying something before about pretending, but I seem to have forgotten what you…”
Edmund turned to him. “Nothing has changed.” He aimed to keep his voice bland and devoid of emotion, but from the way Winston’s eyes glinted with mischief and merriment, Edmund knew that he was failing abysmally.
“Is that so? I saw you rescue her hand from that bad thorn. Did you really suckle her finger or did my eyes deceive me?”
“Have you nothing better to do than pay attention to us?”
“No, I actually do not have anything better to do.”
Edmund harrumphed in annoyance. Winston was enjoying all this a little too much.
“Lady Daisy, you should come by one early morning, and we can all go fishing, and then His Grace here can cook our fish for us. What do you say?” Winston made this offer to Lady Daisy as if this were his townhouse and he had the right to invite guests at any time of day.
Edmund narrowed his eyes at Winston, trying to get him to behave. His friend ignored him.
“I don’t know if that would be appropriate,” Lady Daisy said uncertainly.
“Oh, it would be fine.” His aunt chimed in. “And what a lovely idea, Winston! Harry, what do you think?”
“Yes! Let’s!” he said.
Lady Daisy giggled, then shook her head, flicking shy glances at Edmund. “We’ll see,” she murmured.
Edmund said nothing, just got to his feet. “It’s time for your session with Mr. Oswalt, Harry. We should go back.”
The rest of the group stood slowly, and they walked back to the house. All the while, Winston kept nudging Edmund closer to Lady Daisy.
Edmund ground his teeth, cursing inwardly how juvenile Winston could be. As soon as they arrived back at the house, Lady Daisy turned to face him.
“Well, my father and I should take our leave. It has been a lovely afternoon. Thank you for inviting us.”
Harry rushed forward and performed a deep bow. “Thank you for joining us, Lady Daisy.” She curtsied to him in return, then they both swiveled and looked at Edmund expectantly.
Not more than a few seconds passed before Harry whispered impatiently, “Kiss her hand, Papa. Thank Lady Daisy for coming to visit.”
Edmund moved to grasp her hand, but then, at the last second, thought better of it. Instead, he bowed to Lady Daisy and made her an elegant leg. “It was my pleasure, Lady Daisy, Lord Claymore.”
Daisy blushed, giving a curtsy before taking her father’s arm and exiting. Edmund tried not to watch her go, but the effort was futile. He could not resist capturing one last glimpse of her coy smile or admiring the way the late afternoon sunlight brought out the highlights in her curls.
“You are in deep,” Winston whispered as soon as the door closed behind Lady Daisy and her father.
“Yes…I just might be.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity. Don’t waste it,” the Earl said even before the carriage had taken off from the Duke’s home.
“I don’t know what you mean, Father.” Daisy had felt warm and delighted all afternoon, but now that she was alone with her father, a sudden chill came over her.
“Don’t be obtuse, Daisy. Everyone noticed how much attention Blackvale paid you. Including you, judging by how flustered you were. So don’t pretend innocence here. You have a chance to save us from all our debts. Make sure you don’t waste it.”
Daisy turned to glare at her father. “I don’t feel you are in any position to give me instructions further, considering you’re the one who got us in this mess.”
The Earl turned to face her slowly, his face cold and angry. “I’m still your father, Daisy. You cannot speak to me that way.”
Daisy huffed but said nothing. She crossed her arms and stared out of the window, feeling angry at her father but also confused by the Duke. She wasn’t sure if they were still putting on a show for his aunt or if he’d meant the things he’d said and done.
He suckled my finger!
She held the offending digit up, studying it. It had long since stopped bleeding, though she still had the Duke’s handkerchief clutched in her hand.
What did it mean?
The carriage came to a stop, and she looked out, realizing they’d already arrived home. She opened the door and stepped out, not waiting for her father, and marched up into the house.
“Daisy!”
She came to an abrupt halt but did not turn around.
“Whatever you think of me, you know I’m right,” her father said from behind her as he scrambled to catch up quickly. “Secure the Duke’s attention for the good of our future, or else I will be forced to send you to live with your aunt Jemima.”
Daisy rounded on him. She was appalled by this new twist of fate.
She hated her aunt. The lady loved to treat Daisy like a glorified companion, ordering her about and making her perform the most undignified acts in return for the chance to stay in her house.
Daisy would rather live on the street than go back there.
But is Aunt Jemima preferable to Lord Dulforth…
Daisy had to clamp her teeth together to avoid screaming.
She wanted to rail at her father for his callousness.
She wanted to harp on him for being so calculating and cold.
But instead, she merely gave a sharp nod to let her father know she understood before hurrying off to her rooms. She had a lot to think about, and she did not want to do it in front of her father.
She closed the door behind herself and sat on the bed.
Her father was right. Of course, she knew that.
It was the reason she’d been trying so hard to get into the competition.
Once she paid off her father’s debts, perhaps she could leave London and work as a tutor or find a man who would take her, dowry or no, and settle down. It would be her fondest wish.
The thought of never seeing the Duke or Harry again caused a pang in her chest she couldn’t quite ignore. But those feelings were foolish.
The Duke is my partner in this game. But when the competition is over, I shall move far away from here. I will leave London, my father, Lord Dulforth, and even terrible Aunt Jemima behind.
Despondency shrouded those thoughts when she recalled Lord Harry’s invitation to come for a breakfast of freshly caught fish, but she banished it quickly.
The Duke is my ally today. But I must not expect too much of him. He will help me win. Then, I must decide what to do with myself after the games have ended.
Daisy was just sitting down for breakfast when Amina came in with a bouquet of roses. “These came for you, my lady.” She held forth a lovely bundle of white posies.
Daisy looked up in surprise. “From where?”
Amina silently handed her a note. Daisy unfolded it with trembling hands.
I made sure to remove all the thorns.
E.
Daisy stared at the note and then at the roses. They were all white, with pristine buds that had yet to open entirely.
“What does it say?” the Earl asked, and Daisy snapped out of her fugue.
“Oh, er, it says…” She cleared her throat. “It’s from the Duke, and he noted that I liked the white roses, I think. He just says he made sure to remove all the thorns.”
Her father beamed. “Good. Good. You’re off to a splendid start.”
Daisy stared at him and then looked back at the flowers. Possibly, he meant for them to create talk and make it seem as if he was courting her, but it felt a bit too real for her comfort.
I need to talk to him about this. Clarify things.
“Well done, Daisy,” the Earl said happily.
Daisy hardly knew how to feel about the thoughtful gesture. She considered writing a note to the Duke to thank him, but then wondered if that was the right thing to do.
“What’s eating you?” her father asked, regarding her keenly.
“Nothing. I’m just trying to decide whether I should send back a note of thanks.”
“Of course you should. Go and write it immediately.”
Daisy hesitated for a moment longer.
“Go!” her father said, and she stood up and left.
Daisy had been expecting it, but it was still a shock when Amina announced that the Duke of Blackvale had arrived and was asking to see her.
She looked around, suddenly ashamed of their threadbare furniture and clearly neglected home.
She and the maids did their best, but there were some things that nothing but money could fix.
“Send him in,” Daisy ordered, feeling her vision cloud as her heart beat increased. “Please notify my father.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Daisy ran her hands down her skirt and touched her hair, hoping it was at least neat. She was wearing one of her two morning gowns in light blue muslin. It had short sleeves and a square neckline with a delicate white lace ribbon beneath her breasts.
The Duke walked in before she could begin to worry about whether she should change into something else. His eyes met hers, and she straightened up, throwing her shoulders back and raising her chin.
“Your Grace…” she said shakily and curtsied neatly.
He bowed courteously. “Lady Daisy.”
She hesitated, not knowing what to say next, but before she could flounder, her father came hurrying into the room. “Forgive my tardiness. I was not expecting visitors,” he mumbled, still buttoning up his coat.
“That is my mistake.” The Duke eyed Daisy’s father before adding, “I should have sent a note around before I came.”
The Earl raised a hand dismissively. “Never you mind. We don’t stand on ceremony here. Please, have a seat.” He whirled around to find Amina standing in the doorway. “Fetch the Duke a drink right away.”
She nodded and disappeared to her father’s study, where he kept all the alcoholic refreshments. Daisy took a seat so that the Duke could sit as well and twiddled her thumbs, wondering what should be done or said next.
The Duke turned to the Earl. “Lord Claymore, I will not take up too much of your time.” He flicked a gaze at Daisy, smiled softly, then returned his focus to her father.
“In the last few weeks, I have come to admire your daughter a great deal. Her wisdom, quick wit, and beauty have captivated me. Her relationship with my son has filled me with joy. I don’t think I need more evidence that she would make me the perfect wife. So I am here to ask your blessing.”
Her father could hardly contain himself. Excitement shone in his eyes as he enthusiastically gave his blessing. “Of all my daughters, Daisy is certainly the most loyal. You will not regret your decision.”
The Duke nodded. “I thank you for your blessing.” He turned to Daisy. “While your father approves of our union, I would also like to ask you to accept my suit, Lady Daisy.”
Daisy took a deep breath, her cheeks flaming as she looked into his eyes. She could not help wishing this were real. “I accept,” she said breathily.
His face lit up. “I am so happy.”
She gave him a tremulous smile. “I am too.”
Thomas clapped his hands together. “A toast to the new couple!”
Amina came in just in time with the bottle of scotch. She poured out three glasses, and they toasted, though Daisy noticed that the Duke only took a sip before putting the glass down on the table.
She took a sip as well and smiled as the Duke produced a diamond ring, even as her heart sank. It looked real. She could not be sure that her father wouldn’t immediately want to pawn it.
Still, she gave a polite smile as Edmund put the ring on her finger.
Her fingers trembled as he touched her, and he paused, raising his gaze to regard her closely, asking with his eyes if she was all right.
She swallowed hard, nodded shakily, and tried once again to find her footing and quell her nerves.
This is all going according to plan. If others must believe we are betrothed, then it was vital that the Duke make his intentions known to my father first, but…
Daisy wished this moment of pretend did not impact her so greatly. The Duke was playing his part beautifully, and Daisy wished she could match him, but her feelings kept getting in the way.
All I need to do is smile…smile and nod. I must play along and…
Her heart thundered in her chest as the Duke gave her fingers a gentle squeeze.
Then he let go of her hand, and she felt the loss of his touch like an absence.
“I want to announce our engagement during my aunt’s soiree at Almack’s on Saturday. Is that all right with you?” he asked softly.
“Y-yes. Of course.”
“Wonderful,” he murmured. The Duke bent over her hand and deposited a light kiss on her knuckles. “Until then,” he said before straightening up and taking his leave.
Daisy had to remind herself to breathe.