Page 86 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

“I shall tell you later.” He relaxed his grip on her then turned to face Dulforth.

His shoulders went back, and he drew a breath before pulling back his fist and punching the baron in the face. When the baron was down, Edmund leaned down and grabbed his coat.

“Get on your feet.” He barked, his face mottled with fury.

Daisy gasped, while Dulforth was mewling like a wounded dog. “Please, Your Grace… Daisy, please, make him understa—” He begged just as Edmund picked him up and slammed him against the wall.

“Silence!” Edmund said. “You do not ask her for a single thing. Not after what you’ve done.”

Dulforth cried out, raising his hands to cover his face. “Please stop.”

Edmund snarled, released him and stepped back, with Daisy still behind him, shielding her. Then, he glared at Dulforth with contempt. The Baron stood where he had been just a moment before, but now he looked different. Instead of being poised and ready to spring or attack, his expression was one of dread. His bald upper lip quivered, and he continually touched the spot, as if he wished his mustache remained to give him solace.

“You are a coward and a scoundrel,” Edmund declared. The Baron nodded feebly. “I ought to summon a constable and have you locked away in Newgate.”

Lord Dulforth’s mouth dropped. “No…no, Your Grace. Anything but that,” he said haltingly.

Edmund heaved a disgusted sigh, then added, “But I will not allow your misdeeds to harm my Daisy any further.”

My Daisy…MyDaisy?

She gazed at Edmund and a well of hope and affection pooled inside her.

“Keep the money Daisy gave you. Use it to leave London forthwith. I do not want to hear about hide nor hair of you again; otherwise I will find you and break every bone in your body. Do you understand me?”

The Baron, still cowering, nodded frantically. “I do. I’ll leave right away.”

Edmund nodded stoutly. “See that you do. I will be watching you.”

The Baron gave him a look of fear, but behind the fear was anger. It was clear he had not intended for things to end like this, and he felt thwarted.

Edmund turned to her, putting his hands on her elbows and peering into her face with concern. His gaze passed over her face and then fell to the mark on her wrist from when the Baron had grabbed her. His eyes darkened and the next thing she knew he was whirling around on the Baron and slamming his fist into Lord Dulforth’s face.

Daisy squeaked, jumping a little in shock.

“No one touches my Daisy,” he snarled.

Daisy gave a small gasp at this display of chivalry, and her heart warmed. She looked at Edmund as he turned back to face her, concern back in his eyes.

“Are you all right?” he asked, “Do you require the services of a physician?”

She shook her head, swallowing hard. “He did not hurt me more than what you can see.”

“Are you sure?” he asked gently.

“Yes. I’m sure. Can we leave?”

“Of course. If you will allow me to, I can take you home.”

“Thank you.”

He put his hand on her lower back and led her out of the parlor and out of the house, where Amina was still waiting anxiously.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The carriage moved steadily through the quiet road. The rhythmic, heavy turn of the wheels filled the space between them like an anchor.

For Daisy, the sound was the only thing keeping her grounded. She sat with her hands folded tightly in her lap, her gaze fixed on her own fingers as though they might offer a semblance of stability that Edmund’s overwhelming presence denied her.