“What did he say?” Violet asked.
“What didyousay?” Rose wanted to know.
“When can we announce the engagement?” Mrs. White said, blinking away happy tears.
Surrounded by her mother and sisters, whom had flooded out onto the terrace the second that Everett strode away, Daisy didn’t knowwhatto say.
Except for…
“I’d like to return to Briarwood House.”
“Home?” Mrs. White’s tears stopped mid-cheek. “You want to go home? The house party doesn’t end for another six days.”
“Told you it was a mistake,” Rose said smugly.
“It wasn’t a mistake,” said Violet, searching Daisy’s face and finding the sadness that she was trying her best to hide. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” she said through a strained smile.Nothing except that the first and only man who has ever made my heart leap and my pulse race has turned out to be a duke, which might as well place him on the moon, and even if he was within reach, he could not have made it clearer that he has absolutely no interest in me.“Nothing at all. I merely miss my animals.”
“The servants are taking care of your menagerie of pets, and you’re not going anywhere except upstairs to change,” Mrs. White said in a firm, no-nonsense tone. “Lady Hollibrook has invited us on a parade around the village. You’ll need bonnets and parasols.”
“But–”
“Bonnetsandparasols.”
“Come along,” Violet said quietly, taking Daisy’s arm. “Just do as she wants. It’ll be easier.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” Daisy asked.
“Because I know what it’s like.” In the depths of Violet’s gaze, her own sadness mirrored her sister’s as they made their way to their borrowed chambers. “To want what you cannot have.”
Understanding dawned.
“You’re talking about Tom Wilson, aren’t you? Dr. Wilson’s son.”
Violet released a tittering laugh. “What a silly thing to say. What on earth gave you that idea?”
“Because you–”
“I don’t care to discuss it further. What do you think about this bonnet?”
Daisy sat on the bed and sighed. “I think…I think it’s lovely.”
* * * * *
In another bedroom, in a different wing, Everett was just pouring himself a drink when the door banged opened and Lord Hollibrook, followed by the Duke of Cranbrook himself, strode in unannounced. Nearly bobbling his decanter and spilling the precious brandy within, Everett whipped around to face his visitors.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked, his sharp gaze shifting between father and son. The resemblance was obvious. While Cranbrook’s hair had grayed with age and his eyes were hazel instead of gray, he’d gifted his countenance to his son right down to the slight hook at the end of their noses.
“Daniel has informed me that you were not made aware of our alliance,” said Cranbrook, using Hollibrook’s given name. “A regrettable oversight by your father, may he rest in peace, that I’ve come to correct.”
“Respectfully, Your Grace, I’ve already declined your son’s offer to join your club.” Everett’s hand shook ever-so-slightly as he filled his glass with brandy. “If there’s nothing else–”
“Your father was a right prick of a man,” Cranbrook said mildly. So mildly that it took a second for his words to register and when they did, Everett nearly dropped the decanter all over again.
“What did you say?”
“Yes,whatdid you say?” Hollibrook asked.
