Daisy nodded. “Please.”
Chapter Nineteen
The sun sparkledoff the pond water and blinded Daisy for a moment. The sun kissed her face, the ducks quacked merrily—or so it seemed—and Daisy had never felt so numb. Shielding her eyes, Daisy looked to where Amelia was pointing. Under the protective umbrella of a willow, a mother duck sat with six little ducklings around her.
“You can’t have one,” her brother hurried to say to Amelia, and Daisy grinned, despite her growing trepidation. Her brother had joined them at the last moment. Daisy wasn’t sure if this was a blessing or not. He seemed to always know when there was something bothering her.
Amelia sighed. “I know. I don’t need ducks when I have swans.”
Graham’s gaze skipped over Amelia’s head and caught Daisy. Her throat tightened. She was running out of time to explain to Amelia the true reason for this walk. She’d always wanted a sister, someone other than a mountain of a brother to talk to about silly things like buttons and important things like the pains of womanhood. She had her mother, but a mother didn’t always count. Andhermother didn’t discuss private things. Hermother didn’t understand Daisy’s desire to feel like she belonged with her female counterparts.
So Daisy was mostly alone. Set aside like old furniture. She should wear a white sheet over her head so that she won’t be dusty when Cliffton eventually came to fetch her.
“What a lovely day for a walk,” Amelia said. “You’ve spent so much of your time here indoors at Alston’s side. I hope you don’t feel like you are obligated to spend all your free time entertaining him.”
Daisy shook her head. “I don’t. Not at all. I’ve had a lovely time, and I’ve enjoyed the reprieve from traveling. But I know it cannot last. My parents will return, and I’ll have to explain everything and they will take me home.”
“You don’t have anything to explain,” Graham said. “None of this is your doing, and you shouldn’t be punished for our actions, our swift marriage. Mother and father are reasonable. They won’t blame you for what Mrs. Miranda has done, either.Heractions were reprehensible.”
“I know. I can see that now, but it doesn’t change the situation I’m in. There is a reason I wanted to take this walk with you. I need your help.”
Amelia stopped and turned to her.
Daisy licked her lips, searching for courage. “A little while ago, I received a message from Lady Claystone. She wants to meet me here in half an hour to discuss—”
“This is the woman who is friends with your mother?” Amelia asked.
“She’s more than that,” her brother said. “Daisy? What’s wrong. Is it Cliffton?”
Amelia cocked her head. “Who is Cliffton?”
Daisy fisted her hands. She had to get it all out before the meeting. “Cliffton is my betrothed, and Lady Claystone is hismother. She asked to meet me here to discuss what happened with Mrs. Miranda.”
Amelia raised her brows. “You’re engaged? How—” Her brow flattened. “You don’t look happy about it.”
Her brother coughed to cover a laugh and Daisy glared at him.
“It’s a longstanding betrothal. I did what was expected of me, and as a young girl the notion of being betrothed was exciting and romantic, but over time those feelings have changed. For so long I thought it was what I wanted, truly, and I was able to reason away any misgivings. I clung to the hope that things would be different once we were married, and the marriage contract was signed just before my parents set off for their trip. I thought I’d feel different after that. Excited that it was finally moving forward. Instead... I feel dread.”
“I see,” Amelia said. She turned to Graham. “You never mentioned this to me, and more importantly, I can’t believe you’d let your sister marry someone who doesn’t make her happy.”
“If Daisy asked me to interfere, I would, but she hasn’t. I don’t meddle where it’s not wanted,Amelia.”
Amelia rolled her eyes. “Tell me what you need from me, Daisy. I am at your disposal.”
“If you could lend me a bit of your courage... I think she will ask me to leave Alston House, and I won’t. I cannot live with that woman.”
Amelia gave her a firm nod. “We won’t let that happen.”
“You have our word, Daisy,” her brother said.
Amelia took her arm. “You know, asking for help is an act of courage.”
“It is?”
“Indeed.”
“Whatever this woman says to you, we will be with you,” Graham added.
