Page 63 of Daisy and the Duke
“I was scared,” she admitted.
“Understandable, but my God, Daisy, you scared the hell out of me by disappearing like that.”
“My apologies, your grace. It was not my intent to worry anyone.”
He stopped and took her by the shoulders to make her face him. “No, I’m the one who needs to apologize. I should have defended you at that moment, but I didn’t. I failed you, Daisy. It was a mistake.”
Daisy felt wounded. Was he going to apologize for the time they made love? “Don’t apologize for that, your grace. I encouraged you by going with you to your room.”
“I’m not going to apologize forthat, Daisy.” He held her hands, as if afraid she’d vanish if he let her get too far away.
“Then what?”
“For not being there where you needed me. For being so…useless in the one moment I should have been defending you. Forgive me.”
She felt a bit stunned, so all she said was, “I never blamed you for that. You were suffering. It wasn’t your fault. Tristan, it’s not up to you to defend me.”
“It is,” he said. “And I promise that I’ll set everything right.”
“How can you do that? The law will take its course…”
He shook his head, pushing her words aside. “Daisy, listen. It is very important that you return to Lyondale.”
“I’d rather not,” Daisy said. Hornthwaite and the baroness might well be assembling witnesses against her at that very hour. “I don’t think I am wanted there.”
“Iwant you there, and I will not let anything happen to you, Daisy. Please trust me.”
Daisy’s stomach was in knots, and she wanted so badly to believe Tristan. But a part of her held back. “I don’t know.”
“How can I convince you?” Tristan suddenly bent his head, gathered her close, and kissed her. Daisy protested for half a second before her body melted in response to his touch. She raised her hands to his chest, feeling the rise and fall as his breathing quickened. Her eyes closed as she reveled in the touch of his lips on hers. This was what she wanted, Tristan and her together, entwined, forever.
But she broke off, whispering, “We can’t do this here.”
“Then come back to Lyondale,” he countered. “I will set things right, my love. I’ve been working and Jack’s been working, and others too. We will get to the truth, but I need you there. Please. I swear I’ll never betray your trust again.”
The look in his eyes undid her, and she would have promised him anything in that moment. She took a deep breath, then nodded. “Very well, I will return.”
But what would she walk into when she arrived?
Chapter 18
A few days later, Daisyindeed returned to Lyondale, just as she promised. Unwilling to allow Daisy to go alone (or with an unmarried man as escort), Mrs. Bloomfield insisted on taking Daisy home herself. She left the school under the charge of the dour-looking Mrs. Cannon, who would ensure that the pupils behaved perfectly.
The duke had offered for them to stay at Lyondale, which would have been technically acceptable as both Mrs. Bloomfield and Miss Wallis would be there. But Daisy didn’t want even a breath of scandal to come near Tristan, so she wrote to Lady Weatherby, who responded with surprising speed, insisting that Daisy and her chaperone simplymuststay with the Weatherbys as long as they liked, adding that Lady Caroline would be especially delighted for the company, and also it was such good news that Daisy wasn’t dead.
On a cold and blustery November day, Daisy rode up to Lyondale, accompanied by Mrs. Bloomfield and the Weatherbys. The ladies entered the great house and were immediately ushered inward all the way to the ballroom.
But on this day, the massive and imposing ballroom was not set up for festivities. Rather, rows of chairs were arranged to create a makeshift court. And in a large, well-cushioned chair at one end, the local magistrate sat in state, looking around as though wondering how he got there.
Others were present as well. Lady Rutherford and the Hon. Bella Merriot sat in the front row of chairs. Next to Lady Rutherford was the vicar, dressed in ecclesiastical black. Local gentry had come, and everyone turned to watch Daisy as she entered and took her seat, thankfully surrounded by Mrs. Bloomfield and the Weatherbys.
Tristan stood up, silencing all conversation. He turned to the magistrate and said, “Sir, I must first thank you for coming here to adjudicate this matter. It is my hope that for all concerned it can be settled here today, without the need for a full, formal inquiry.”
“Well, it is most irregular,” the magistrate said, frowning a little. “But for the Duke of Lyon…” He left the rest unsaid. Of course the law would bow to the desires of the highest-ranked gentleman around.
“Then we shall begin,” Tristan said. “There are a few matters to address today, and I have asked all of you to attend to assure the world that it was handled in a fair and prompt fashion.”
Several of the guests sat up straighter, flattered that the duke would request this of them.
