Page 44 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

Daisy gave a tight smile but didn’t say anything. Luckily, Lydia joined them then and looped her hand through Daisy’s. “That was wonderful, Daisy. You would do well on Drury Lane,” she teased.

“You may jest with me, my friend, but do not put ideas into my scene partner's head.” Daisy smiled shyly at the Duke. “You were magnificent, Your Grace. It was a pleasure to share the stage with you.”

The Duke bowed formally, then whispered, “The pleasure was all mine, Lady Daisy.”

Lydia stifled something that sounded like a smothered giggle, then said, “Shall we seek some refreshments? I’m quite famished.”

Without waiting for Daisy to reply, Lydia towed her away from the small gathering, ushered her through the larger crowd, and pushed her right up to the food table. Daisy surveyed the offerings, salivating a little. She took a plate and piled it with sandwiches and cake, as well as twopetit fours. Lydia watched her with a furrow in her brow.

“How are you? Are you all right?” she asked with concern.

“I’m fine.” Daisy took a bite of her sandwich. She had not managed to eat at all earlier in the day since her stomach had been twisted with nerves.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Of course. Why do you ask?”

“Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone actually eat the food at Almack’s.”

Daisy laughed. “I’m hungry, and the sandwiches are delicious.”

Lydia took a breath. “So, you and the Duke make a pretty pair.”

Daisy just smiled, not knowing what to say.

“Don’t you think so?” Lydia persisted.

Daisy munched on another bite of a sandwich so she might give herself time to formulate a proper response.

I cannot keep Lydia waiting forever. After all, she didn’t yank me away from the others just so she could watch me eat.

“I think that there is no point in me having any thoughts about any of this. Once I win, we’re going our separate ways.”

Lydia just sighed, shaking her head. “You may say that, if it gives you comfort, my friend, but your words and deeds do not go hand-in-hand.”

Daisy had been on the verge of licking the icing off a particularly nicely decoratedpetit four,but stopped so she could turn an incredulous stare on her friend. “Whatever do you mean?”

“It is only that I do not believe you are capable of pretending.” She jutted her chin toward the crowd, and Daisy followed her gaze. Lydia was looking directly at the Duke of Blackvale. “Hemight be an excellent actor, butyou…you, Daisy, wear your heart on your sleeve.”

“I do not,” Daisy protested.

Lydia giggled. “Oh, but you do. You cannot pretend to have feelings that do not already exist within your heart. Your soul…your mind will not allow you to be false in any possible way.”

Daisy gulped. Suddenly, the delightful desserts and decadent sandwiches looked less than scrumptious.

Lydia proceeded. “Even though you and the Duke have entered into Lady Archworth’s games as a faux couple, you have told me the circumstances. Is that evidence enough of how well…or I suppose not so well…you can keep a secret?”

Setting her plate of mostly untouched food back on the table, Daisy turned to give her friend an imploring stare. “I have told you because I trust you completely. But I…I cannot let others know what we are about. I cannot falter or make a mistake. If Lord Dul…”

Lydia nudged her suddenly, and she jerked, turning to scold her for poking her side painfully, but then Daisy found that Lydia was staring at the doorway in horror and followed her gaze.

“Dulforth is here,” Lydia whispered.

Daisy stared at the Baron, shaking her head.

No, no, no…

“I did not even say his name completely, yet, like the devil himself, he appeared.”