Page 37 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

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.

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?”