Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Daisy was at a loss as to what to wear. Amina had made her some lovely gowns from the bolts of cloth that Edmund sent but she couldn’t decide on which one might suit the occasion.
She had little time to make a decision because before she could summon Amina, the door to her bedchambers swung open and the maid entered.
“His Grace has come calling!” Her eyes were bright with excitement.
“Edmund is here? Already?” She peered at the clock on the mantle.
“Make haste,” Amina coaxed as she closed the door behind herself and swiftly crossed the room. “We ought not keep him waiting.”
Daisy giggled, then she allowed Amina to help her into a pale green frock.
Yes…we ought not force Edmund to wait for anything.
Amina finished Daisy’s toilette in record time, then the two ladies bustled down the stairs. Edmund perhaps should have been waiting in the parlor or sitting room, but instead, he stood at the bottom of the staircase, looking up at them.
Forgive me,” he blurted as he reached for Daisy’s hand and towed her forward. “I was eager to see you this morning.”
“No need to make apologies.” She smiled at him sweetly. “I am pleased to see you.”
A broad smile stretched his features. “Would you like to accompany me to Gunther’s for a sweet dessert, or would you rather stay in and have some tea?”
“Well, if you’re asking me, I would very much rather go with you and visit your gardens again. They’ve stayed on my mind since I was there last. And it would be lovely to see Harry again.”
Edmund chuckled wryly. “That is an excellent plan. I’m not sure why I did not think of it. Would you be able to stay for supper?” He nodded at Amina. “Your maid may accompany you as chaperone.”
Daisy shared a quick look with Amina. All she needed to see was the maid bob her head in agreement, then Daisy mimicked the motion.
“Come then, let’s go.” Edmund offered his arm and Daisy took it.
The warmth in her chest seemed to spread to every part of her body.
She realized she was pleased because he was happy.
The ride back to Edmund’s townhouse was quite short, and he handed her into the house with care before helping her maid down as well. He sent a footman for Harry before leading Daisy out into the garden. The maid found a seat on the porch and took out her knitting from a bag.
Daisy took a deep breath. “It really is quite beautiful here. I could not appreciate it fully before because of everything else that was occurring, but I can now.”
“Come, let us retrace our steps from that day. Perhaps this time you can avoid getting pricked by a thorn.”
She giggled. “Perhaps you can make sure to remove any thorns before you give me the rose.”
“Ah, a challenge. I shall accept it graciously.” He bowed to her and they began to walk together, talking about inconsequential things.
“Lady Daisy!”
She turned, beaming as Harry came tearing down the path towards them his face alight with excitement. He slammed into her, wrapping his arms around her legs and she swayed, almost falling before Edmund steadied her.
She reached down to embrace Harry, laughing with delight. “I take it you’re glad to see me.”
“Oh yes, I’ve missed you. Where did you go?” Harry asked, his face still buried in her skirts.
Daisy and Edmund exchanged loaded glances before Edmund answered for her. “She’s been very busy, but soon, she’ll be moving in with us for good.”
Harry moved back enough to peer up at Daisy’s face. “Today?”
She laughed. “No, I’m sorry, not today. But soon. Today I only came to visit.”
Harry sighed in dramatic resignation. “Fine.” He took her hand. “But then I shall walk with you, and then you’ll come and see my toys, and maybe you’ll read me a story?”
“I would be delighted,” Daisy replied.
Daisy had not expected to enjoy herself as much as she did. She’d thought that she and Edmund would spend some time together, talking of serious issues like what he expected of her in the marriage.
Instead, she’d spent the afternoon chasing after Harry and laughing, they’d sat by the pond as both Harry and his father tried to teach her to fish, and then they’d spread seed in the dovecote.
Finally, they’d retired into the drawing room as it started to rain where Daisy was reading Harry a story while Edmund sat opposite them taking in the scene.
Amina was in the kitchens, visiting Edmund’s housekeeper, whom she knew from various meetings at the market. With Harry in the room, Daisy supposed no one would think them to be flouting propriety. There was also a footman by the door, which remained open.
Daisy was appreciative of Edmund’s thoughtfulness in making sure she did not feel compromised though it was hardly necessary. She trusted him and knew he would never try to do anything like Dulforth had done.
She peered down at Harry and found that he’d fallen asleep. She looked to Edmund, wondering what to do.
He smiled. “He’s been sleeping for at least half the story. Your voice is very soothing.”
She felt her cheeks heat. “Thank you.”
He shrugged, “I am just making an observation. Would you like me to summon the nurserymaid to take him to bed?”
Daisy looked down at Harry. “Well…I suppose he’d be more comfortable lying down.”
He leaned forward, “But you’re enjoying his soft trusting weight against you?” he asked softly.
Daisy nodded slowly as the realization came over her. “Yes…” she sighed. “Exactly.”
He leaned back and nodded. “I know the feeling well. You should be careful. The more you let him treat you as a pillow, the more reluctant you become to relinquish his weight.”
She laughed softly. “Is that so?”
“Take it from someone who knows.”
Before they could resume conversation, there was a knock on the door and the butler entered. “A monsieur Bauer is here to see you, Your Grace.”
“Ah, that was fast. Send him in.”
Edmund hadn’t expected the jeweler to take too long since they lived on the same street, but still, given that he’d not made an appointment earlier, he was gratified that the monsieur arrived so promptly.
He got to his feet as the man swept in, carrying a case with him. He bowed low. “Your Grace,” he said gravely before turning to Daisy and making a leg. “My lady.”
Daisy stared with wide eyes from Edmund to the jeweler. “What’s happening?”
Edmund gestured towards the monsieur who put his suitcase on the table and clicked it open. “This gentleman is here with a few choices for a ring. I know I could’ve given you something from my family’s collection, but I thought we might start our own traditions with a new ring, a new beginning.”
She continued to gawk at him even as Mr. Bauer began to arrange trays of jewels on the table.
“Let us begin with the ring itself,” he said. “Which do you prefer, gold or silver?”
“Oh, erm… I do prefer gold,” Daisy said nervously.
Edmund covered her hand with his. “Take your time. Choose the one you’ll want to wear for the rest of your life.”
She met his gaze and gave him a smile, one that said she understood exactly what he meant. She gave him a nod. “A gold ring, please,” she said more assuredly, not looking away from him.
The jeweler put a few trays away. “Good. Now what of the bauble? We have rubies, emeralds, all kinds of diamonds from black to white through blue, sapphires, and of course there are rarer stones like onyx, obsidian, amethyst, and jade.”
“Oh…well I think…an emerald or jade stone would suit me best.” Daisy’s eyes boggled as she surveyed the display of precious gems.
“Is that what you want or what you think you should take?” Edmund asked immediately, looking intently into her eyes.
She pursed her lips, deep in thought. “I think I want an emerald stone.”
The jeweler immediately removed a few more trays. He gestured for Daisy to choose. She leaned over the tray, keeping her hand in Edmund’s.
“There are so many options,” she whispered in awe.
“Yes, but only one is meant for you. The question is, will you find it here?” Monsieur Bauer said.
Daisy hummed in agreement, still studying the jewels intently. She pointed at a ring with an emerald center stone, haloed by two tiny citrine stones embedded in the gold band.
“This one,” she said with certainty.
“That one? You’re sure?” Edmund asked.
She nodded.
“In that case, we’ll take it.”
Daisy wanted to see Lydia immediately. When she awakened the next morning, she dressed quickly and hurried from the house, hoping to catch her friend before suitors arrived for their daily visitations.
Upon entering Kerwood House, Daisy was directed to the breakfast room where she found Lydia sipping a cup of tea.
“It’s good I found you still breaking your fast, as I have not eaten today and we have much to discuss.”
Lydia leaned forward, putting a piece of toast on Daisy’s plate. “Indeed, we do. Starting with why Monsieur Bauer was summoned to the Duke’s home last evening.”
Daisy raised her eyebrows. “You already heard about that?”
“Oh yes, all the maids were atwitter about it this morning. So? Tell me.”
“He wanted me to choose a ring with which we can start our marriage. A new beginning, so to say.”
“Oh.” Lydia put a hand to her bosom. “That is a precious, beautiful sentiment. Which ring did you choose? Show me?”
Daisy waved her fingers in Lydia’s face. “Look!” She squealed.
“Ooh, that is pretty!”
“I know!” They grinned at each other happily before Lydia rubbed her hands together.
“All right, tell me everything.”
“You first. What were you thinking going to the Duke about me like that?”
“I had to do something!” Lydia cried, before reaching out to clasp Daisy’s hand. “Say you forgive me for betraying a confidence.”
“I forgive you,” Daisy said at once. “It was for a good cause.”
“And now you’re really marrying him!”
Daisy sighed dreamily. “I am. I can hardly believe it. He’s been so charming and dashing and...”
“Did he deal with Lord Dulforth?”
Daisy straightened up, fixing Lydia with a serious look. “You would not have believed it. He came bursting into the parlor like an avenging angel and saved me from that wretched man just in the nick of time. Can you imagine?”
Lydia snorted. “A scoundrel will do anything,” she said drily.
“Indubitably. Let me start from the beginning,” Daisy replied before launching into her story for her captive audience.
It was exactly what she needed.