Loved by a Duke (The Heart of a Duke #4)(47)

Smoothing her palms over the front of her dress, she looked down and attempted to see what had earned the regretful look from her mother.

“I’ve failed to see you for too long, my dear.”

A swell of emotion balled in Daisy’s throat. “It is fine,” she managed, wishing her words came out clear and full of conviction.

“No. It is not all right.”

Yet, selfishly a part of her had wished to have some guidance on those inane matters that, well, mattered to other ladies. A lovely gown. A proper coiffure. Only she’d known in the scheme of what her family had lost, how trivial, how nonsensical those wishes had been.

Then her mother’s lips turned up in the first real smile she remembered since Lionel’s death. She took Daisy by the hand and wordlessly began pulling her to the door.

“Where are we going?”

Mama shot a glance back over her shoulder, a twinkle in her eyes. “Why, we are going to visit the modiste, my dear. It is time to capture the heart of a duke.”





Chapter 10

Auric had not heard a hint or whisper of Daisy in three days. Not since he’d taken his leave of her, which was certainly not for a lack of effort. He’d attempted to visit the lady three times.

He gave his head a shake. The ladies. He’d intended to visit with the marchioness and her daughter. Each time they had been indisposed. At first he’d been filled by panic. As long as he’d known Daisy she’d been lively and healthy and possessed of a strong constitution. On the second day, he’d begun to believe he’d inadvertently offended her with the gentleman he’d put before her. After all, Astor was not resolute and…Well, not resolute, and Auric was certain there was a host of other grievances he could level against the other man if he was inclined.

On the third day, he was forced to accept that Lady Daisy Laurel Meadows, who’d dogged his footsteps, not once fawned over his title, and teased him mercilessly, was avoiding him and he missed her. He’d convinced himself these past years that she was nothing more than an obligation, a debt he owed Lionel paid with weekly visits. Yet, some shift had occurred in him, between them, and the need to see her was a physical ache.

He passed a deliberate gaze throughout Lord and Lady Ellis’ crowded ballroom, and looked for Daisy. Where in hell was she? He had it on the authority of his butler, who had it on the authority of the Marchioness of Roxbury’s butler, that the lady was, in fact, the model of health and planned to attend Lady Ellis’ annual ball. These were sorry days indeed when the Duke of Crawford was reduced to putting inquiries to his servants and relying on the discretion and inquiries of another man’s servants.

Surely, Daisy recognized he intended to help her make a match. Nay, not just any match, but one with a devoted, caring, and now, resolute gentleman. Auric curled his hands into balls at his sides only now recognizing he couldn’t identify a single man present who’d fit the lady’s requirements, because not a single gentleman deserved her. And more, it would shred him if he were to choose anyone that was not him…

The air burst from his lungs on a hiss. God help him. He—

“Are you looking for someone in particular, Crawford?” the Viscount Wessex drawled as he came to a stop at his shoulder.

Auric startled at the other man’s unexpected appearance. He swallowed a curse and pointedly ignored him.

“Perhaps someone who fits with your strict, unrealistic expectations for a certain lady?” Again, jealousy built in his chest.

“They are not my expectations,” he bit out. Rather, they’d been Daisy’s. He’d not betray her confidence. Not even to one of their closest friends. “What brings you here, Wessex?” Every last lord and lady in London knew that the viscount studiously avoided polite Society functions. Yet, just this Season he’d taken to attending dinner parties and balls. “Never tell me you’re in the market for a wife?” he asked in an attempt to shift attention away from talks of Daisy and all the men Wessex would pair the lady with.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” the viscount scoffed. Something in the dull flush on his cheeks, however, told a different tale. “Regardless.” Yes, it would seem there was more there. His friend neatly turned the conversation to that dangerous, undesirable topic. “Rumors have circulated that Lord Astor paid a visit to Daisy?”

He swung his attention to Wessex. A dark, unpleasant sensation swirled in his chest. “When?” The question burst from him. She’d turned him away but was receiving the earl?

A servant stopped before them with a tray of champagne. With a murmur of thanks, the viscount accepted one of the flutes. “I daresay you should remember,” he said when the footman continued on. “You did after all, join the gentleman there.” Some of the tension seeped from Auric’s frame. “I expect you had something to do with Astor?”

His shoulders sagged in relief. There had been just that visit, then. Not another. Only…He reflected on the flash of appreciation in the man’s interested gaze. And his fawning. And nauseating compliments. What a bloody damned fool he’d been all but serving the lady to him upon a silver tray. “I merely coordinated a meeting with,” the unoriginal bastard, “the earl and Daisy.” Any subsequent visit was a product of Daisy’s allure and charm. The lady deserved a good deal more than Astor. A resolute gentleman wouldn’t have been run off by a duke’s displeasure, or anyone’s displeasure. “Astor will not suffice,” he said at last, out the corner of his mouth.