Page 83 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

“I see.” Lydia considered her keenly. “Are these not good things?” she asked gently.

“Th-they are. Of course they are.”

“But?”

Daisy shook her head wildly. “But…I don’t know why I’m so sad.”

“Do you really not?”

Daisy shook her head again.

“Well…perhaps you were simply enjoying the Duke’s company, and you did not wish to see him go.”

Daisy nodded. “His son is so charming. We had become friends. I suppose I…well, I do wish I could see them again. But that’s nonsense of course. As soon as I pay the Baron, I shall be leaving.”

“Must you go?” Lydia patted her hand. “After all that has happened these last few months, I thought you might be persuaded to stay.”

“No.” Daisy swiped at her tears with the back of her hand. “I cannot stay. If I do, I shall find myself right back here with my father’s debt hanging over my head like the sword of Damocles.”

“Dramatic. But you could wait until you find somewhere surely.”

“No. I cannot. I was thinking I could go and visit Merry in Scotland for a while. I believe Lochlan has some relatives in France. He might be willing to connect me with them.”

“France? You want to go to the continent?” Lydia exclaimed in disbelief.

Daisy nodded. “I can make a new start there.”

“Oh, Daisy.” Lydia leaned closer and embraced her. “Whatever am I going to do with you…”

Daisy chuckled sadly. “I shall write often, and I hope you will too.”

“Of course I will. I just cannot help but feel…”

“Yes, I know. I feel it too.”

Daisy sighed, pulling away from Lydia. “Now, I’ve been putting it off for long enough. I need to go and settle my father’s accounts with the Baron.”

Lydia’s mouth turned down at the corners. “The best of luck. Do take someone with you. Amina, for certain, or perhaps the Duke might agree to accompany you.”

“I cannot ask Edmund to go with me.”

Lydia looked as if she meant to argue, but Daisy raised her hand to halt any such debate. “I will not draw Edmund into my affairs further. That is my final word on the subject.”

Lydia nodded succinctly. “Very well. But be on your guard, my friend. Lord Dulforth is not to be trusted.”

Daisy collected half her winnings from the bank, having decided against keeping them in the house, lest her father find and spend all her hard-earned money.

She asked Amina to venture forth with her and was pleased when the maid agreed to serve as her companion for this task. They arrived at Lord Dulforth’s residence and rang the bell. The door was answered by a butler who seemed rather shocked to see them.

“Yes?” he said.

“We are here to see the Baron. Would you inform him that Lady Daisy Murray has arrived?”

The butler nodded, though he still seemed confused by their presence. “Right away. Wait here.”

He went off, closing the door behind himself. When the door opened again, Daisy was surprised to see Lord Dulforth rather than the butler at the door.

“Ah, Lady Daisy. I’ve been expecting you. Come in.”