Page 53 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

But today, his aunt was holding a gathering in which her next task would be revealed. Edmund found himself quite impatient to arrive at her house because then Daisy would be there, and the silly knot that twisted his inner organs together would loosen.

He wondered if he should speak with her and explain that his feelings had seemingly evolved. He did not know what she would think about that.

She returned my kiss quite enthusiastically.

He licked his lips at the memory, imagining he could taste the citrus scent of her mouth as he did so. He could not deny to himself that he wanted to kiss her again.

As his horse drew up at his aunt’s home, Edmund spotted Winston walking towards him, in deep conversation with a young lady while her chaperone trailed behind.

He paused, wondering if he should linger so he might speak to his friend, but the thought of Daisy already inside and possibly waiting for him spurred him to ring the doorbell.

His aunt’s butler was quite prompt in answering, and he stepped inside, making his way to the back garden as the butler instructed. Edmund stepped onto the veranda, and his eyes immediately fell upon Daisy. She was clad in an olive gown that was made of the silk fabric he’d purchased for her at the drapery. Her golden hair was gathered atop her head, and it gleamed in the sunlight. She wore no ornaments or baubles, but her emerald eyes shone bright enough to compensate for that oversight.

She was standing on her own, on the outskirts of a group of ladies who were seemingly too occupied with their talk to notice her. She held a drink in her hand but did not sip from it.

Suddenly, a hand clapped him on the back, and Edmund turned around.

“Edmund, how are you?” Winston greeted him with a bright smile.

“Fine. What are you doing here, anyway? I saw you out front talking to a young lady…but…” He gasped as a thought occurred. “Say it is not so. You still have no stake in this competition…. Do you?”

Winston gave him a mock-offended look. “Do I not? Are you not my dear friend, requiring my support?”

Edmund rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t aware I was in need of having my hand held.”

“Very well, I’ll admit it. This is cracking entertainment, and I refuse to hear about it second-hand.”

“One day, your curiosity will be the death of you.”

“Ah, but that’s where you are wrong because just like a cat, I have nine lives.”

Edmund just shook his head at his friend. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I must find Lady Daisy.”

Winston laughed lightly. “Were you not already staring at her with hungry eyes?” he smirked.

Edmund glared at his friend once before walking away.

He searched for Daisy and found her looking back at him. His heart leaped at the intensity of her gaze, and the entire roomseemed to disappear. All he saw was her, as though she was a ray of sunshine in a room full of clouds. She’d moved further away from the other ladies and was standing on her own as if she was waiting for him. As he approached, she gave him a tentative smile, and his pulse quickened in response.

“Good afternoon, Lady Daisy.” He bowed as he arrived at her side.

She gave him a curtsy. “Good afternoon, Your Grace.”

“Are you ready for the games today?” he asked.

She nodded, taking a deep breath. “As ready as I can be. I must admit, I’m a bit nervous.”

He leaned in slightly. “Don’t worry. I shall be right by your side, always,” he whispered and saw Daisy bite her lip.

A shiver went down his spine.

Heavens, I want to kiss her again.

He immediately chastised himself for the thought. The kiss was a mistake; it could not happen again. Their arrangement was set in stone. It was meant to free him from his aunt’s matchmaking schemes, to give him peace for a Season, and to ensure that Daisy walked away with ten thousand pounds tucked safely into her reticule.

She nodded, her gaze softening as if she really was reassured. Just then, Aunt Regina appeared on the veranda, clapping her hands to get everyone’s attention. A number of her staff walked among the guests, handing them items from trays they carried.

“I wonder what it will be,” Daisy whispered.