The Duke of My Heart (Regency Romance)

by Hanna Hamilton

  Daisy's eyes widened in shock, she hadn't known Iris to eat in any formal room for as long as she could remember. She knew it was a knee jerk reaction to her father's death and what was to come next, but still, it felt a very heavy change for her. Daisy could not help wondering what this meant.

  "Of course," she replied, totally gobsmacked. "Whatever you want. I will get it sorted now..."

  As Daisy raced into the kitchen to get everything right for breakfast, Iris took a seat at the table to wait. She didn’t sit in her father’s chair, there was no way she was ready to do that yet – or possibly ever – instead she took the chair opposite where her mother used to eat. She imagined her sitting there now, smiling down at her, telling her that everything would be alright in the end.

  It wasn’t much of a comfort since it was an image that would never be real, but it was much better than forgetting her existence completely. Iris wanted to keep her mother as close as she possibly could, which made her even more grateful for her imaginative mind.

  “I wasn’t sure what to make,” “Daisy gushed as she returned to the dining room. “Since I am used to bringing you up a single plate to your room, so I got the cook to arrange everything for you.”

  “Oh, Daisy, that is silly of you,” Iris exclaimed. “Most of this will go to waste. You will have to make sure the servants get the rest of this food because there is no chance I will eat it all.”

  “Oh, right.” Daisy blushed brightly as she realized her mistake. “Of course, I am sorry.”

  She paused awkwardly around the table, unsure of where to position herself in this new arrangement. She almost hopped from foot to foot until Iris patted the chair next to her.

  “Please, Daisy, do not treat me any differently. Sit with me.”

  As Daisy did what Iris asked of her, the fact that everything was going to change hit her hard all over again. She always wanted more from her life, there was no denying that she had much bigger ideas for her life than could ever come true and she harboured a lot of jealousy because of that, especially for the Warwick girls, but she also wasn’t keen on losing her friendship with Iris. Iris was the one girl that her jealousy didn’t fully stretch to. For one, her friend was lovely and adorable, it was impossible to have a bad thing to say – or even think – about her. For another, Iris was not happy with her life. It was hard to be resentful of someone who was so sad.

  “Are you alright, Miss Iris?” Daisy asked nervously. “This is a little troublesome, I do not know how to feel about all of this.”

  “All I have done is come to eat in the room I am supposed to be,” Iris chuckled, but the mirth didn’t totally come with the sound. “Nothing is strange there.”

  “Not for anyone else, maybe...”

  “Yes, I see what you mean.” Iris smiled. “It is strange for me, but I am trying to find some happiness before everything changes. I guess if I face some changes now, then everything won’t seem so hard in the end.”

  “Yes, that might be wise.”

  As Daisy stared out of the large window in the dining room, she could see a shift in the air. Nothing looked the same, every blade of grass had a different shade of green than it had before and she was sure that the flowers were struggling to stand upright.

  That was probably the way that it would always stay now. The home would never be the place it once was.

  “So you are better now?” she asked absentmindedly. “You are more used to what will happen next?”

  “I do not know,” Iris replied honestly. “I think I will never be totally comfortable with it, but what can I do?”

  Daisy could not think of any suitable response to that, so she fell into silence and gave her friend a very sad look. Despite the fact that Iris was trying her hardest to appear upbeat, she could see the strain in her expression. Iris wouldn’t do well in this marriage, that much was already clear. There was only one thing to bring her out of her shell, and it was the one thing that was incredibly unlikely to happen.

  Iris Warwick needed to fall in love.

  She was a dreamer, a person who lived in the stories that her brain created. If something just as wonderful was to happen to her in real life, then there was a chance that she would finally find the happiness that she was searching for.

  “Unless you really want to swap, that is...” Iris continued with a smirk. “Of course, you were probably joking.”

  “Of course I was joking!” Daisy insisted a little too quickly. “I would never really suggest such a thing. I mean, can you imagine? What would even happen to you while I was acting your role?” Much as she’d spent her whole life wanting to be like the Warwick girls, she didn’t actually mean it.

  Well, not really.

  “Well, I would be you, of course! I would clean and cook and serve...”

  “You say it like it is a glamorous life!” Daisy could not believe what she was hearing.

  “To me, it is.”

  “Trust me, Miss Iris,” Daisy replied while shaking her head. “You will not enjoy it the way you think you will.”

  Iris’s stilted silence said it all. She really did feel that way about the idea of a switch, which was utterly ridiculous in Daisy’s mind. Still, if her brain was taking her down that route then maybe there was a reason for it.

  Maybe it was time for Daisy to take action... whatever that might be.

  “I cannot swap with you, Miss Iris. That was only a joke, I truly didn’t mean it.”

  “Oh, I know. It is just me dreaming.”

  Iris’s head fell into her hands, she looked so glum it tugged at every single one of Daisy’s heartstrings. She needed to avoid another bout of depression, she couldn’t stand to see it, so she said the first thing that came into her mind.

  “But I can help you to act in a way that might put the Duke off.” She was half joking again as she suggested this, simply trying to find a way to get her friend smiling again. “I can help you to unlearn all of the grace and manners that you have been taught.”

  This idea was more to have fun than anything else, but Iris leapt upon it as if it was her saving grace. “Are you serious? You would do that for me?”

  "I... I would, but are you sure this is what you want? Would you not rather spend time with your betrothed first, to see what he is like?"

  Iris clutched onto her chest and her face contorted as if she was in physical pain. “I cannot stand it, Daisy. You do not see how bad this is for me. The idea of marrying someone that has been chosen for me is almost too much to bear. I know you have suggested to me that the rumours surrounding the Duke might be false, but I do not believe that I will ever be able to get them out of my head. It is a marriage that is doomed from the start.”

  Daisy rapidly weighed up the pros and cons of this decision before she finally settled on the one that she thought was right. “Yes, okay, we shall do this.”

  She knew that by going through this rigmarole she would get to a place where Iris actually met the Duke. She still firmly believed that Iris needed to make up her own mind by actually be in his presence, and if she didn’t feel like she had any control over things then she would probably refuse.

  If Daisy could get her there, that was half the battle.

  She hoped that they would concoct this silly plan, that they would have some fun for a few days playing around with being uncouth, role playing how the other half lived. She prayed that they would do all of this, then the moment Iris laid eyes on her betrothed she would change her mind and it would all be for nothing.

  And if that did not work, she hoped that the Duke would cut off the engagement rapidly, without much fuss and that her uncle would see what Iris needed and he’d allow her to marry a man of her choosing. She also hoped that said man would be able to see past a previous broken engagement and that he would love her enough to treat her well regardless of her state of mind.

  If Iris truly did fall in love, maybe her state of mind would not be an issue anymore. Maybe she would finally find that missing piece o
f the jigsaw puzzle.

  Maybe she was aiming much too high, but Daisy felt responsible for Iris. She was only two years older than her, but she felt like a mother figure to her. Elizabeth and Olivia could only do so much, mostly it was up to her.

  “Oh, Daisy!” Iris’s pale blue eyes danced excitedly. “You have no idea how much this means to me. You are giving me a chance to live my life in the way that I please.”

  “The way that you please seems to be my life,” Daisy exclaimed, still in shock about that part. “I cannot understand what on Earth makes you think that I have things so wonderful, but if that is what you want,” she shrugged, “then I will help you in any way that I can.”

  Iris tucked into her food with much more gusto than she had before. She knew that Daisy did not totally understand it, and she couldn’t blame her friend for that, but this was perfect. Maybe she could even convince her uncle that she was totally unlovable, then he would allow her to have her dowry to do with it what she wanted.

  It was not typical for women to buy cabins in the countryside to write within, but Iris was not a typical woman.

  Of course, she felt terrible for what she was suggesting. Not only did Iris fully understand how dangerous it was, it also pained her to consider being deceitful with someone else. Maybe Daisy was right, maybe the Duke would not be the man that she thought him to be, but that did not make him the right one for her.

  She was probably doing him a favour, there was little chance that she would be a good wife for him. By freeing him from an arrangement that he clearly didn’t fully understand himself, he would be able to find someone much more willing to be his.

  He would be happier without her, just as she would be without him. Maybe there would be a little bit of pain to start with, but that couldn’t last forever. This was the best solution for everyone.

  “We shall get started after breakfast,” Daisy jumped in firmly. “After all, we have no idea how long it will take your uncle to get here. The sooner we begin training you to act unlike yourself, the better.”

  Iris bit down on her lip, trying to contain some of her thrill. She had a feeling this was going to be a lot of fun as well as useful. She would finally be able to act in the way that she’d always been taught to avoid.

  She wouldn't belch though, that was a step too far. Hopefully, that wouldn't be as far as she needed to go to put the Duke off of her. She thought that in reality, it would be more likely to take very little. If this man was as cruel as Elizabeth suggested, then he probably liked the women in his life to act in a certain way. Not as she would in front of him.

  “I will be finished with my breakfast soon,” she gushed happily. “And thank you again, Daisy. I simply do adore you.”

  Chapter 8

  “You think I should cry?” Iris squealed with hysteria. “At the dinner table? Are you insane?” She was actually bent double with laughter, this was the funniest thing she’d heard in a very long time. The idea was completely ludicrous, which made it all the more hilarious.

  “Maybe I am,” Daisy chuckled just as gleefully. It was so lovely to see her friend full of mirth, it made the whole mad plan worth it. She knew that she’d do anything to cheer Iris up, even if it was insane. “But have you ever noticed how it is impolite to show emotion when around others? I think wealthy people consider it an act of the poor.”

  “Maybe you are right, although I can hardly be considered an expert on what is and is not acceptable having spent very little time with others. What if I cannot cry? I do not think that weeping on command is something that I can do.”

  “Then you should laugh. Loudly, obnoxiously, make him feel uncomfortable in the middle of your meeting. I do not think men understand that women laugh. It is ridiculous. Oh, and do not curtsy. You must not curtsy under any condition.”

  “Even if he bows?” Iris screwed up her nose in disgust. This was something that had been ingrained into her from a very young age. She could not imagine ignoring that tradition, it would be very difficult. Her instincts would undoubtedly force her into it, regardless of how hard she tried not to. “Are you mad?”

  “How about talking about driving?”

  “But I do not know how to drive...” Iris did not understand this at all. Why would she lie to this gentleman? It made no sense.

  “Of course you do not, it isn’t permitted for women to drive. If the Duke believes you do things that are not supposed to, he might be put off.” Daisy could see that was not going to work. Iris wanted to rebel, she wanted to act out of character, but she couldn’t get all her life lessons out of her head. It had been forced upon her since birth. “Or maybe you should hint that you owe a tradesperson money.”

  “What?” Iris was stunned by these suggestions. They seemed too silly for words. She knew that there were a lot of complicated expectations in polite society, but really thinking about it was starting to give her a headache. “Why would that matter?”

  “Everything matters with the wealthy. You could even offer to lend him money, that would really insult him.”

  “I do not think I can do any of those things.” Iris looked helpless, like the end of her life was coming. “They all seem far too hard. I know I need to act differently to make this man want someone else, but I do not think that I will be able to go through with it when the time comes.”

  Daisy paused, realising that Iris was probably right. In front of her, she could act in any way that she wanted, but with others, she reverted right back into her shell. Maybe if she had been encouraged out much sooner it would not have become such a shock to her system.

  “That is alright, we will rule out anything that you have to say. Maybe we can make it about how you appear instead.”

  Still, Iris could not shake the uncomfortable sensation that this wasn't right. If she wasn't so desperate to escape this arrangement she would put an end to it already. But every time she felt like giving up, she remembered what would happen to her if she did.

  “What do you mean? How can my look put him off?”

  “It will be very difficult,” Daisy admitted. “You are extremely beautiful. So much so that the Duke might wish to marry you however vulgar you are.”

  “Do not say that,” Iris begged. “Do not leave me with no hope whatsoever. I am not that beautiful. Especially if I do nothing with myself. Right now, for example. I do not look beautiful right now.”

  "You truly do not see yourself, do you?" Daisy felt amazed. Iris was the best-understated beauty that she had ever seen in her life. People raved about her wonderful, natural looks before she retired to her bedroom. Daisy knew for certain that if her mother hadn't died, the marriage proposals would have come from everywhere. "Iris, you are so beautiful that the whole world would want to be you if they could see you. Plus, you have the name. The name is worth a lot."

  Iris pouted out her lips, she knitted her eyebrows together and she tried to contort her face into as ugly an expression as possible. "I do not want to be beautiful, Daisy, I do not want the name. I just want to be free."

  “Then let us practice walking,” Daisy announced with a smile. “You will wear a slightly muddied dress and you will walk without any grace. That will be much easier than having to say anything.”

  Daisy grabbed hold of Iris’s hand and she allowed herself to be dragged upright. There was a giggle, bubbling up in her throat, she could feel it in her chest. It was only this mirth that allowed her to continue with this insane plan. If it wasn’t so funny, she probably would have succumbed to hopelessness already. Despite where it would lead.

  "I recall my lessons in posture when I was a very young child," Iris said as she stood at one end of the room. "My mother hired an expert in that sort of thing to help me and my sisters to get a head start." She smiled to herself as she remembered. "I always thought it was more for me than anyone else. I was the one who lacked in everything. Olivia has always been graceful, and Elizabeth is a very quick learner." Iris grabbed a book from the shelf nearby and she balanced
it on top of her head. "She made us walk across the room for hours and hours. One foot in front of the other."

  Daisy laughed at the sight of Iris doing a slightly awkward walk. She could tell that without the book, she would be very good at being graceful, but it was impossible for anyone to not look silly like that.

  “You are walking like a penguin,” she giggled while clutching onto her stomach. “Why did your mother feel the need to torture you so much?”

  “You try it,” Iris demanded. “Let us see if you can do any better.”

  Daisy tried, she really did, but actually, the whole balancing a book on her head while she tried to move her feet was more challenging than it appeared. Every time her foot moved, the book slipped. If she shot her hands up to catch it, she lost her balance and her posture, and if she didn't the book fell to the ground with a loud bang.

  “See?” Iris practically yelled with glee. “I told you. It is not easy. I was seven years old when I started.”

  “Right, well we are not here to teach me how to walk anyway,” Daisy declared, trying to disguise her embarrassment. “We need you to forget how to do all of those things. So it would be a good thing if you try to walk without that grace.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  Iris stood back against the wall and she tried to walk without grace. She moved her feet in a way that was clunky and heavy, she let her back sag and her shoulder fall forwards. Actually, she felt like she was actually getting it!

  “No, no, no, you cannot walk like that. You look like a gorilla. You need to be more like this, more natural...”

  Daisy walked with the swagger of a common girl. She exaggerated it slightly to help Iris get the point. She threw her hands on her hips, she smiled and wiggled, she even blew a kiss to Iris. She was being a caricature of herself and every other common girl she knew.

  “Oh my goodness, Daisy, that’s too much.”

  “No, I know, but a bit like that.”

  Iris tried, but again it was comical. She went too far with trying to throw off all the lessons she’d spent her entire life learning. It was so ingrained within her to act in a certain way that a few hours with Daisy wasn’t about to change all of that.