Page 33 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

Daisy could not decide one way or the other, so she decided to focus on the flowers. They were as gorgeously arranged as advertised, and it wasn’t difficult to get lost in their beauty. She was not very proficient in her knowledge of flowers, but she did recognize a few.

The red, yellow, and white roses planted in a bed beneath the parlor windows, for example, drew her eye. Harry ran over and plucked a white rose before presenting it to her with a proper bow.

She laughed, endeared by the act and thanked him. The Duke leaned close to whisper in her ear. “Seems he’s more chivalrous than his father.”

Daisy laughed. “I’m sure he’s more chivalrous than most gentlemen in theton.”

“Ouch.” Lord Salwick said as he sidled up next to them, “Is that a dig as to the quality of men available?”

She shrugged. “If the shoe fits…”

“What a blow to our collective egos.” Lord Salwick lowered his chin and gave Daisy a simpering pout, and she could not help but laugh at his antics.

The Duke grunted a bit of a chortle, then said, “Kindly stop bothering the lady, Winston.”

“I was not bothering her,” Lord Salwick insisted.

The Duke narrowed his eyes at his friend, and they seemed to have a conversation without saying a single word. Suddenly, Lord Salwick smirked and then went to walk beside Lady Archworth, engaging her in conversation.

Daisy considered the Duke, wondering what all that was about. Before she could ask, he took her hand, urging her down the path. “Come, let me show you the crocuses and snowdrops. They’re just coming into bloom.”

She was intrigued to learn that the garden was so sprawling and that flowers which should have already had their season, like crocuses, were still budding. “Is that so? What other flowers do you have?”

“We have pansies and daffodils as well.”

“Anything edible?”

He laughed. “As a matter of fact, Harry and I planted some potatoes and turnips next to the bottom hedge. My property is bordered on the other side by Hyde Park and Harry thought the squirrels might enjoy the occasional snack.” He shook his head fondly. “I’m not sure that critters like squirrels enjoy such foods, but Harry simply could not be dissuaded from making the effort.”

Daisy smiled, feeling her heart melt. “He’s quite the thoughtful lad, isn’t he?”

It was then that Daisy noticed there was a bit of sadness in the Duke’s eyes. “Yes, he takes after his mother in that way.”

Daisy opened her mouth to ask what became of her, but then closed it again. She did not want to dredge up any unhappy memories, especially if what Lydia had told her was true.

Even as she thought it, her finger pressed down hard on the rose she was still holding, and she felt a sharp prick. “Ouch!” She dropped the rose and brought her hand up to see the damage.

Miraculously, the thorn had poked through the thin fabric of her gloves. A bead of blood swelled against her index finger where she had been pricked. She peeled off the fabric and looked at the tiny wound. The Duke tipped his head to the side and examined the puncture closely.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “Does it hurt terribly?”

She shook her head, struck mute by his proximity, and his big hands cupping hers so gently. Then, to her shock, he lifted her finger to his mouth and sucked at it. Her mouth fell open, and she gasped, flabbergasted by the swooping feeling in her belly that culminated in a melting wetness at her core. Her legs trembled, knees going weak.

What is he doing to me?

He pulled her finger from the heat of his mouth before wrapping it gently with his kerchief. She simply stared at him, her mind wiped clean of thought, unable to form any words.

“Is that better?” he asked.

She nodded, still unable to look away from him. He let go of her hand, and the spell that had been holding her hostage dissipated. She took a long breath, trying to reorient herself in reality.

Placing his hand on the small of her back, he urged her forward just as the Dowager Marchioness and her father turned back to see what was keeping them. She tried to smile at them, but her body was still not completely back in her control.

Lady Archworth caught sight of the handkerchief around her finger, and her brow furrowed in concern. “Are you hurt?” she asked.

Daisy nodded jerkily. “I-I’m fine.”

Her father’s eyes narrowed, looking from her to the Duke, but he said nothing. They reached the stew pond, which had a stone gazebo set in front of it with a small stone fireplace set in the middle of three benches. Everyone took a seat, while Harry ran around them, seeming quite overjoyed to have so many people around.