Page 72 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

Edmund realized, faintly, that this was how Harry understood the world: questions and answers, given in exchange for effort, fairness made visible and simple.

Not so different from the way I interpret things, really.

When the third spoonful was finished, Harry set the utensil down at once.

“Now you must tell me everything,” he said, with the confidence of someone who believed rules to be binding.

Edmund hesitated only briefly. Then he nodded.

“Yes,” he said. “I will.”

Chapter Seventeen

Daisy was surprised at how well she slept, considering the events of the evening before. She had staggered off to bed, devastated by Edmund’s abrupt dismissal of her and everything they’d shared. But in the cold light of day, she could understand his sentiment.

The entire situation was a monumental mistake.

She went downstairs to breakfast and found Lady Archworth seated at the dining table. The matriarch’s face lit up, and she gestured for Daisy to take a seat next to her.

“How has the weekend been for you?” she asked. “You won yet another challenge. How do you feel?”

Daisy gave her a strained smile. “Relieved? Happy?”

“You’re not sure?” Lady Archworth inquired.

Daisy couldn’t exactly explain that her body still trembled from Edmund’s touch, that she could feel him like a brand on her skin. That she’d slept like a baby, but her dreams were plagued by him—amorphous scenes where he chased her, and she ran. She was barely moving, but he stayed just out of reach. Meanwhile, somewhere close by, Lord Dulforth cackled with demonic laughter.

I might be losing my mind.

Instead of trying to explain all that, she just shook her head. “No, it’s just that there are so many emotions churning through me, I hardly know which is which.”

“Ah, young love.” Lady Archworth put a hand to her chest, smiling. “It can be very confusing.”

Daisy could only blink a few times, unsure of what she ought to say next.

“It’s a pity we’re all returning to London today. I can hardly wait for the next challenge. I feel sure you and my nephew will excel at it.”

Daisy swallowed hard, glad to know they were leaving but not wanting to say any more about Lady Archworth’s nephew.

After breakfast was done, the carriages arrived, ready to return everyone to town.

Daisy went in search of Lydia so they could ride together, relieved to have some time away before she had to see Edmund again.

They gathered at the races a week later. The tension between her and Edmund did not help one bit. She’d thought that it would lessen, even dissipate after a week, but if anything, it grew stronger.

She was at a loss as to how to proceed. She caught sight of Baron Dulforth, walking slowly towards the horses, and frowned. She’d managed to avoid speaking with him in the last week and a half and was profoundly grateful for that reprieve.

As if he could sense her attention on him, he turned and looked straight at her. She did her best not to quail like a frightened rabbit by pushing her shoulders back and standing her ground. If he knew she was afraid of him, he would never leave her alone.

Before Lord Dulforth could march in her direction or even send another challenging glare in her way, Lady Archworth called for their attention by clapping her hands.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the next task should be easy for you equestrians. It simply involves being able to sit on a horse, with grace, and lead it around the stable in a series of maneuvers that will show your capability and elegance.” She paused, grinning. “By the end of the exercise, your companion should regard you with increased admiration. The spectators will vote for who hascompleted the assignment with the most panache. Good luck to all!”

Soon, a groom arrived to help Daisy lead the horse to the racecourse. She looked down at her riding habit, wanting to make sure she had everything she needed. Once they arrived at the starting line, the groom helped her onto the horse and then stepped away.

Her fellow contestants also got comfortable on their horses. Lady Archworth blew a whistle, and it was time to show off.

Daisy rode sidesaddle, much like the other young women. She held her back straight and stiff as she led the horse forward to the first hurdle. It was a ditch, and the challenge was to step daintily around it without getting covered in any mud.