Duke of Chance: Lords of Scandal Page 5

  He shifted, reaching for her other hand. “You know that I was married before.”

  Daisy stilled. She hardly remembered his first wife. She’d been part of their lives for such a short time. She straightened up. “I remember. A little.”

  He looked out through the hanging branches. “I’d prefer not the hash out the details but suffice to say, I don’t have much heart left.”

  Her breath caught in her lungs and held.

  Was he still in love with his first wife?

  A rush of understanding flooded through her. He’d proposed because another woman held his affection and she had declared that Edge had hers. They were going to marry while being mutually in love with other people. Dear God, how sad. “So you want a marriage that…”

  He stilled, staring out into the garden. “We can appreciate each other. Enjoy each other. Gain from one another.” He looked at her then. “But this is a match of mutual benefit. Nothing more.”

  She leaned back, blinking away her confusion. Of course, he didn’t love her. He’d proposed after another man rejected her and out of friendship for her brother. But somehow the declaration that he never would give her his heart was disconcerting. “So my choices are a loveless marriage or ruination?”

  Chance winced. “Love is…such an elusive thing to chase. Even when you think you have it, it manages to slip through your fingers.”

  She looked down at their clasped hands, the truth of his words settling like a brick in her stomach. “That’s true.”

  “What I’m offering you has the potential to be more stable, more fulfilling. You’ll be at the very top of the social ladder and you’ll have the means to do whatever you choose.”

  “Whatever I choose?” She thought back to his words last night about not sharing. Somehow, those two statements seemed to contradict one another.

  “Within reason.” He shrugged. “For my part, I want a wife that helps me further the dukedom and helps me secure my line. I’ll need you to commit fully to the process of having a son, but then you’ll be free to travel or participate in society.”

  "I see.” She didn’t. Did he mean with or without him?

  “I know you’ll do your duty. In fact, I can’t think of a better woman than you.”

  She frowned down at her hand clasped in his. She supposed he was seeing her as an adult at least. Still, a tiny voice told her that he was still just protecting Hart’s little sister. And her feelings for him had always been so much more. Chance effortlessly stirred her emotions, her passion even after all these years and what he discussed… “I need to think about it.”

  He gave a quick nod. “I understand. But you must know that we need to act quickly if we’re to squash the rumors.”

  “They’re not rumors if they’re true. Our engagement won’t change the fact that several people witnessed what Edgemere and I did in the garden.”

  “How much did they see?” he asked. “Was your corset still on?”

  This again.

  A bit of embarrassment and a little more anger made her chest rise and fall rapidly. “It was a kiss.” But as her gaze met his, she could see the tension in him, a muscle ticcing in his jaw. “Everything was covered. The first few buttons of my gown were undone to allow…” Once again, her cheeks flamed.

  He let out a long breath. “I’m sorry that I asked. I’m a cad. But if others will know, I suppose I wanted to know too.”

  Daisy’s eyes fluttered close. Her brother had been right on one account. Her aunt too. She’d been played for a fool.

  How did one correct that?

  If she were being honest with herself, despite her reservations, she’d likely accept Chance’s offer. And if she was betrothed to him, she’d need to gain his trust. And he had to start seeing her as someone other than Hart’s little sister. He should think of her as a woman, a future lover and partner.

  Letting go of his hand, she reached behind her back and undid the first two buttons of her dress, then a third and with a deep breath, a fourth.

  Last night it had been dark, too dark for Edge to see much but now, in the full afternoon light, Chance would get a much better view.

  The dress’s bodice slumped forward, revealing her chemise and stays. “There,” she said, turning her face away. “This is exactly what happened only there was almost no light. So rest assured, you’ve already—”

  “Daisy,” he groaned.

  She wasn’t exactly looking, so his hands on her arms shocked her and she opened her eyes wide again. “Chance?”

  He pulled her into his lap, a place she was more than happy to land, as he skimmed his hands up and down her arms.

  And then, when his fingers reached the tops of her chemise straps, he started tracing her neckline.

  Her eyes fluttered closed again, as sensation erupted across her skin, his fingers burning a trail over her chest.

  Her head lolled back to allow him more access and then forward until, her forehead rested against his.

  Their breath mingled as his fingers dipped lower to the valley between her breasts. She drew in a sharp breath, inhaling his masculine scent in a way that had her hands twisting into his coat.

  And when his palm skimmed across her clothed nipple, it pebbled into such a tight knot that her most private of parts began to throb.

  Dear Lord. They hadn’t even kissed.

  “Lady Daisy?” Clara, her maid called. “Where are you?”

  Chance growled out a protest even as he reached around her and deftly redid her buttons.

  Before she’d barely drawn a breath, she was next to him on the bench once again as he leaned away from her.

  She’d heard rumors about her brother, Chance, and East.

  Only a true rake could have acted so quickly to change the scene from scandalous to innocent. If only Edge had been so adept.

  But as Chance tucked a stray curl behind her ear, she realized those rumors were also true. She’d been ruined by one rake and saved by another.

  Chapter Six

  Daisy sat next to Chance on the bench of his phaeton as they made their way through Hyde Park with a deliberate slowness that had his teeth set on edge.

  He’d sent a missive early that morning to her aunt, requesting Daisy’s company and his invitation had been accepted.

  Whether or not that meant Daisy had accepted his terms was still unknown, but he’d guess the answer was yes as all of society watched them, fans snapping over nearly every lady’s face as they passed.

  He could practically hear their whispers.

  To Daisy’s credit, her spine only grew straighter, her chin high as she sat silently next to him. She might not throw knives like Arabella, but she had her own strength, and she was drawing from that well today.

  He glanced over at her gown, her demure neckline and fichu hiding the cleavage he now knew for certain lay under all that fabric.

  Chance, in the years since Marissa’s death, had slept with all manner of women. Small breasts that could fit entirely in his mouth, large ones that dwarfed his hand.

  But Daisy’s had been exactly the right size to fill a man’s palm. And those nipples. He still didn’t know their color, but he’d felt their response.

  He wanted more.

  They reached the end of the park and he watched Daisy slump. “Thank goodness.”

  He chuckled. “We should go back through the center of the park.”

  “We’ve been seen enough, don’t you think?” She shook her head. “I was on the tongue of every member of the ton before today. Now…” She moved her hand to mimic a mouth, her fingers and thumb snapping together. “They’re all saying how you’re attempting to dismiss the rumors as a favor to my brother. And they’re right.” Her sigh tickled his ears as her breath blew across his cheek. “You know, I’ve really had to reevaluate my opinion of gossip. I’d assumed most of it ridiculous, and yet, I must confess, a great deal of it seems to be true.”

  He drew up the reins, stopping the carriage. “I am not d
oing this as a favor to your brother.” But inside, his gut squeezed tight. How did he begin to explain? Should he tell her that it had taken his parents over a decade to conceive him. That his first marriage had been barren. Should he tell Daisy that he worried if he didn’t start now, he might not have a child at all?

  “Aren’t you?” She waved her hand through the air. “I know. You’re doing it for my benefit too. And you’ve got your own needs. But if it weren’t for Hart…” Her mouth turned down. Despite being in a quiet corner park, they could be seen at any minute.

  So he quickly took her hand, squeezing her gloved fingers. “I did it because I hated watching Edgemere break your heart.” He’d watched Marissa give her heart to a similar man. One who used her for her money. A rake without an ounce of scruples. She’d died because of that love, and he’d not watch the same thing happen to Daisy. His chest tightened as he looked down at her fragile beauty. “You deserve the best in life, likely better than me, but I’m all I have the capacity to give.”

  Her head snapped around as she looked at him, her unblinking gaze wide as she held his gaze with her beautiful, mesmerizing brown eyes. “Chance.” Her fingers tightened in his.

  He allowed her fingers to slip through his as he grabbed the reins and snapped them once again. “We’ll take the quieter path out of the park. Whether you’ve decided to accept my offer or not, you didn’t run and hide. That counts for something. But let’s not make a spectacle a second time.”

  She laced her hand through his arm, her cheek leaning against her shoulder. “Chance. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me during the past few days. I don’t know how I would have made it through without you.”

  A bit of pleasure passed through him at her words. “You’re welcome.”

  “I know I’d be foolish not to accept…”

  He tensed as he watched her hands twist together in her lap. “But…”

  She pressed closer. “The idea of giving up on love. It’s difficult.”

  Ahh. She still had some of that optimism left, did she? “I see.” Or was she trying to tell him that she still had feelings for Edgemere? The very idea of it made tension rumble through him. He wished that he’d been the one to fight Edgemere instead of Hart. He’d like to put a few dents in Edgemere’s handsome face.

  They made their way out of the park with a great deal more speed than when they’d entered and as they returned to Aunt Mildred’s townhome, Chance looked over at Daisy. She had a major decision to make, and while he’d like to think he was the easier, better choice, he realized she had her aunt as a model for how a woman might remain independent.

  Her aunt, being a spinster, somehow supported herself and her own home. Normally, a woman who hadn’t married would live with a male relative. In this case, Hart. “How does your aunt have her own residence?”

  She blinked in surprise. “Her mother willed it to her. Why?”

  “And what will she do with the property in her will?”

  Daisy shook her head. “I’ve no idea. I’ve never thought to ask.”

  He slowed the phaeton, looking over at her. “And why do you live with her rather than your brother?”

  Her lips pressed together. “I thought you might be able to explain that to me.”

  “Touché.” He was certain that Hart wished for a certain amount of privacy. “But your care is a big responsibility.”

  Daisy huffed. “For the third time, I’m not a child, and I like to think we care for one another.”

  He grimaced. “Yes. I understand. But as we’ve been discussing the rather large scrape you’ve just been in, one might consider that it was difficult on your aunt.”

  Daisy wrinkled her nose. An adorable gesture. “Fair enough. I think Hart pays her an annual income, but I can’t be certain. He rarely talks about finances with me. I’m sure he thinks he’s protecting me, but sincerely…”

  He understood. The protective layer that had been placed around her was beginning to make her feel suffocated. She wanted responsibility and a chance to prove herself.

  And if he were being honest, he loved Hart like a brother, but foisting Daisy off on her aunt, and then dragging her to Edgemere’s two nights prior hadn’t exactly been the acts of a mature, levelheaded fellow.

  Much as Hart had berated her for being a fool, perhaps they all had some growing up to do yet, himself included.

  He looked over at the beauty sitting next to him. Marriage seemed like a good place to start.

  Daisy knew her aunt’s entire story.

  They’d lived together for nearly nine years after all.

  She’d fallen in love with a second son and promised to wait for him. He’d gone off to fight in the French Revolutionary War and never returned.

  Heartbroken, her aunt hadn’t been able to recover until it was too late.

  She’d been declared a spinster and she’d stayed with her parents until their deaths when she’d inherited her home and enough money to live out her life.

  Her parents had been unfailingly kind and supportive of Mildred’s choices. Perhaps because her sister, Daisy’s mother, had married a marquess. But either way, Daisy knew that her aunt regretted never marrying.

  She didn’t like being alone and had been thrilled when Daisy had moved in. They’d had tea parties, and sleepovers, and great adventures in the cushioned forts built in the front parlor. Her aunt had nursed Daisy’s broken heart after the loss of her mother and father, gone in a single day when their carriage had broken an axle.

  But Daisy had also heard her aunt’s frustration. Spinsters were second class compared to married women and Mildred felt that keenly. It made her unsure and flighty.

  Daisy pressed her hands tighter together, recognizing her own wish to be seen, really seen, when those around her thought she needed to be coddled.

  Mayhap they were right.

  But if she didn’t take the duke’s offer, would she end up like her aunt?

  Scattered and a bit broken?

  And if she married him? A match without love. What would she become then?

  She’d lain awake for hours last night, pondering that question and several more and she was no closer to answers.

  They arrived at her aunt’s home and entered through the back. Daisy immediately pulled off her gloves and unpinned her hat, then handed them to a maid before she started up the stairs, Chance following behind her.

  “I’m so glad to be back home.” She sighed. “Facing society after the scandal was dreadful.”

  He chuckled as he came up next to her, holding out his arm for her. “But effective.”

  She hoped so.

  Her aunt’s voice floated from the parlor, echoing in the vaulted ceiling of the entry. “It’s so good to see you again.”

  Daisy paused, pulling on Chance’s arm.

  He stopped for a moment too. “Whomever it is, I’ll keep you safe, little one.”

  She held back a breath of frustration as she looked over at him. She wished he hadn’t noted her momentary fear. He hadn’t used that dreadful pet name all day.

  But she continued on, and they entered the parlor to find Hart sitting next to Arabella.

  Daisy and Arabella had remained friendly all these years, Arabella visiting Hart’s little sister regularly. Her visits were always a welcome distraction. And yet, to be in the same room as Chance and Arabella, it made Daisy’s heart pound wildly. That was the sort of woman Chance ought to be with.

  Statuesque and worldly, no one would call Arabella little one ever. She’d likely cut out their tongues if they did.

  Everyone stood as they entered, her aunt clapping her hands. “How was your outing?”

  Daisy’s lips parted. “Awful. And thankfully, done.”

  Arabella gave her a wink. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “And you.” She slipped her hand from Chance’s arm to cross the room and take Arabella’s hands, kissing both of her cheeks. “Gorgeous as ever.”

  “Really?” Ara
bella said with a twinkle in her eyes. “Because you, my little sister, have surpassed me.”

  Daisy blushed at the words, appreciating them more than she could say, even if they weren’t true. “No one could outshine you.” Then she kissed Arabella again. “But I am so very glad to see you.” She dropped her voice into a low whisper. “I’m afraid I’m in desperate need of your advice.”

  Arabella looked over her shoulder at Chance. “Really,” she whispered back. “From where I stand, you’ve got everything well in hand.”

  A ripple of surprise made Daisy draw in a quick breath. Was that really how it appeared?

  “Aunt Mildred,” Hart said from just behind her. Daisy was aware she’d neither looked at her brother nor greeted him and she didn’t intend to. “We still need to have that champagne.”

  “Quite right.” Aunt Mildred snapped her fingers and then she was gone.

  Threading her arm through Arabella’s, Daisy sat on the settee with Arabella.

  “No greeting for me?” Hart asked, crossing his arms.

  “Does ‘go to the devil’ count?” She smiled sweetly, not quite meeting his eye. She never spoke against her brother or her aunt. She loved them. And she knew what it meant to suddenly lose a loved one. But she couldn’t quite hold in her anger this time.

  Arabella laughed. “That was an excellent one. I’ll have to use that.”

  Chance slid into the seat Aunt Mildred just vacated. “This is an unexpected surprise, Arabella.”

  Arabella shrugged. “I only came to celebrate with all of you.”

  “Celebrate me courting?” He glanced over at Daisy. “How kind.”

  “Not courting.” Hart said sitting next to him. “That’s just a formality. When do we announce—”

  “Hart,” Chance cut her brother off before he could finish. “The final decision still lies with Daisy.”

  Her brother began to turn red again as he sat straighter. “Can’t one complication in my life find a resolution?”

  Daisy narrowed her gaze. “I’m sorry to have created a complication for you, brother.”

  Hart glared back. “You don’t get to be angry at me after what you did.”