Page 39 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

“Well… I have asked her to…to… marry me,” Edmund said at last.

“Really?” Harry asked. His eyes widened hopefully. “Does that mean you shall marry Lady Daisy soon?”

“I…er…” Edmund stumbled when he tried to answer that question.

Lady Archworth had no such issues. “But of course they shall marry soon,” she replied.

The whoop Harry let out was so loud that Edmund was sure they must have heard it all the way across Westminster.

Harry skipped about the room with joy. “Oh, we are going to have such a good time when she comes here!” Suddenly, he stopped and considered his father curiously. “How did you get her to agree?”

“Well, I asked her, and also spoke to her father, as is customary. Why?” Edmund asked.

“Because you’re so… grouchy! You’re lucky she said yes, you know that, Papa?”

Lady Archworth snorted into her handkerchief, and Edmund narrowed his eyes in her direction, attempting to hush her, before turning his attention back to Harry. “Well, I would hope you’d think she’s lucky too.”

Harry jumped high, shaking his head. “No, we’re the lucky ones.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re pleased at least.” On any other occasion, Edmund would have been gratified to see his son so thrilled, but since this engagement with Lady Daisy was merely a ruse, he felt dishonorable. When the games ended, and he and Lady Daisy parted ways, Edmund did not wish to break Harry’s heart. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I want to speak to your great aunt alone.”

Harry nodded. “Very well, Papa. Good day, Aunt Regina!” He called before skipping out of the room.

Edmund could hear him calling for his tutor, telling Mr. Oswalt he had news to share.

Edmund’s heart sank. This charade was quickly running out of control.

“Well? What do you want to discuss with me, Edmund?” Lady Archworth asked.

“I was thinking of announcing my engagement to Lady Daisy at your soiree at Almack’s. Would you have any objection?”

“Of course not. That is a splendid idea!” She clapped her hands. “I am so happy for you, my boy. This is the best decision you could ever make, you’ll see.”

Edmund nodded, avoiding her gaze to hide his discomfort.

The Earl actually paid for Daisy to get a new gown for Lady Archworth’s party. Daisy quickly dismissed the worry about where he got the money, telling herself she would be out from under his thumb soon. When they arrived at Almack’s, she was extremely glad about the new gown.

The other guests were showing out in the latest fashions, resplendent with feathered caps and gowns made of Chinese silk and other expensive fabrics.

Daisy smoothed down her emerald-green saffron gown and lifted her chin proudly. She looked the other guests in the eye as they passed by her and her father and refused to be cowed.

Almack’s had been transformed into a makeshift auditorium. The musician’s gallery served as a stage, surrounded by whitechairs arranged in semicircles. To the side of the room was a long table, groaning with refreshments and finger foods. Not just bread and butter, but cucumber sandwiches, honey cakes, pies, savory desserts, and sweets.

Daisy looked at all the food in wonder. It was certainly an elevated fare from what was usually served at Almack’s.

“They certainly spared no expense,” her father murmured at her side.

Daisy flicked him a glance, and her face flushed pink at having almost the same thought.

“Seems Lady Archworth has quite a bit of change to spare, eh?” the Earl smirked, looking around with avarice in his eyes.

Daisy let go of his arm, putting some space between them just because she did not want to be associated with his words, much as she had been thinking them herself. She felt queasy as she thought about it. She did not want to be anything like her father.

Shame crept through her as she recalled the way they had both reacted initially upon seeing the Dowager’s home as well as the Duke’s townhouse.

I must try harder. I must not allow my father’s greed to worm its way into my own thoughts.

Her eyes swept the crowd and landed on the Duke. He was standing at the other end of the room, dressed sharply in a black suit that fitted him like a glove. His black breeches tucked into his Hessians outlined his long, muscular legs with loving devotion, while his evening jacket, tied with just one button, emphasized how well his broad shoulders tapered to his small waist.