“I didn’t even know she was seeing anyone seriously,” I remarked. “Did you? Did Alex?”
“No, apparently none of us had a clue.” He exhaled, and I could picture him rubbing the back of his neck as he did when he was especially stressed. “At the same time that I’m angry with Daisy, I’m also upset at myself. Over the past year, I’ve been so preoccupied with—eh, other things—that I’ve let some distance grow between us. I haven’t been as present for her as I once was.”
“Now I feel terrible, since I’m the other things you’ve been preoccupied with,” I groaned. “I can’t believe Daisy would do this. I mean, I realize she’s always been a little, ah, impetuous, but I never thought she’d do something like this.”
“She’s not a child, Ky. She knows better. I can’t imagine what’s going through her head—we spoke on the telephone last night to confirm the details for today, and she sounded perfectly fine. I think this was a very sudden decision. I find it hard to believe she would purposely set me up to cover for her when she had a commitment. Daisy’s a lot of things—stubborn, willful and a little wild—but she’s never been intentionally hurtful, and she always puts duty first. She wouldn’t neglect this visit unless it was absolutely necessary.”
A twinge of fear snaked through me. “You’re certain she eloped? This couldn’t be something bad? Someone taking her?”
“No, but don’t think we all didn’t have that same thought. But security has located her in Scotland. She’s fine and not in any danger.” He snorted. “At least, nothing immediate. I can’t swear to what will happen once she comes home and has to face my father.”
I winced. “Oooooh. That won’t be fun.”
“No, but nothing more than she deserves.” Nicky grunted. “Listen, Ky, I hate to do this, but is there any way you can cut your day a bit short and come home now? Given the events of the day, my parents have requested that we all gather this afternoon at their apartment.”
“Of course.” I glanced down at the schedule that my assistant laid on my desk every morning. “There’s nothing that can’t be moved around. I’ll call Harold and leave as soon as he’s here.”
“Actually, he’s already downstairs waiting for you. He’s in the back this time, though—he said to tell you that being brave once on a day like this is quite enough. I’m not sure I want to know what that means.”
I laughed softly. Good old Harold. “I’ll explain later. See you at home in a bit?”
“I’ll be waiting.”
AS SOMEONE WHO WAS RAISEDin a relatively large and close-knit extended family, I was very well acquainted with the phenomenon of a clan powwow. Honey and Handsome regularly hosted dinners or even entire weekends for all of the Duncans, usually when there was some news to be shared like an engagement, a pregnancy or an illness or before they made a big move in the business.
Sitting in the Westhamptons’ elegant yet cozy sitting room later that afternoon, I was struck by the similarities I felt to my own family. There was undoubted love and unconditional acceptance, yes, but there was also more than a little tension—something which had only increased when Daisy arrived. The fact that she wasn’t alone didn’t help the situation at all.
I tried to be subtle as I covertly studied the young man who was holding her hand. He was not at all the kind of man I would have pictured for Daisy; his hair was long and dyed white-blond, with dark roots showing. He sported an earring and a pierced eyebrow, a large tattoo on his chest, visible where his shirt was unbuttoned, and an attitude that clearly dared anyone to judge his appearance.
“Daisy.” The Duchess rose to her feet and hurried to her daughter. “Thank God you’re safe.”
Daisy returned her mother’s hug. “I never wasn’t safe, Mummy. I was fine the entire time. I’m sorry if you worried, though.”
“We woke up this morning to a message from you announcing that you were in Scotland, getting married—and you didn’t share to whom. I don’t think it’s odd that we were very concerned.” The Duke regarded his youngest daughter. “Would you care to introduce us?”
“Of course.” Daisy grinned. “Daddy and Mummy—oh, and everyone else, too—this is Roc. Roc, darling, this is everyone.”
Roc smirked and gave a jerk of his chin, which was clearly meant as a greeting to us all. If we’d been in the States, I would have expected him to follow up with a surly, “’Sup?”
As it was, he remained silent, but his eyes traveled over the room, taking in the gathered family. I might have been imagining it, but I thought I saw a vague panic under the carefully cultivated apathy.
“Roc.” The Duchess kept her voice even. “How nice to meet you. Do you have a last name?” She glanced at Daisy. “Since it appears my daughter would now share that name?”
“He’s just Roc, Mummy.” Daisy’s brow knit together. “He’s a photographer, and that’s his name.”
“Oh, a photographer?” Alex nodded as if this somehow made sense. “Did you meet through your art patronage, then, Daisy?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Roc’s a friend of Cassa—you know, my friend the fashion designer. He works with her sometimes, and we connected at one of her parties.”
I held my breath, wondering if the rest of the room was thinking what I was—that maybeconnectedmeant more than any of us wanted to know.
“And when exactly did you meet? How long have you known each other?” The Duke was holding himself together with admirable grace.
“Last night.” Daisy answered without any trepidation. “It was love at first sight. Or something.”
Next to me on the loveseat, I was almost certain that Nicky growled.
Daisy either sensed her brother’s rage or heard the noise he’d just made, because she turned toward him, her face showing the first sign of contrition I’d seen since she walked in the door.
