by Emma Kaye
With her eyes wide, and chest heaving, he couldn’t help but admire her fire even while regretting that he had sparked the flame of her ire.
“I—”
“No. You don’t get to speak. You’ve said enough.” She whirled away, took a few steps, then spun back. “I know my mind. I know my heart. You may doubt me.” She blinked rapidly. A sheen of tears coated her eyes, and something twisted like a knife in his heart. “And that hurts terribly. But I have decided how I want to live my life. That life will include you.”
Chapter Five
Daisy sat listlessly as her maid styled her hair in the current fashion. The style was much too fussy for Daisy’s preference, and her head would be aching from the pressure of the pins by the end of the evening, but her mother had insisted she look her best for the annual Marberry Ball this evening.
She didn’t have it in her to protest yet again.
Especially something as insignificant as her look for the evening. Although, her maid had tightened her corset to a point she wasn’t sure she’d be able to breath enough to keep to her feet the entire night. Maybe she should have kept up the fight a tiny bit longer.
The argument with her parents had gone on for days, and the fight was beginning to take its toll. Daisy’s disappointment in herself that she lacked the courage to mention the man she wanted to marry, weighed heavily on her soul. She was tempted to lie down and resign herself to her fate.
Ben had not helped matters any by refusing to admit his love for her was more important than her place in society.
Imagine, thinking a title was more important than love. What a fool.
Yet she loved him still.
They would be together. And what better time for such a miracle to happen than at Christmas? She simply had to convince Ben to stand up for their love. To believe love was a more important part in true happiness than anything else.
The Marberry Ball was the perfect setting as well. Hadn’t Felicity and Lord Marberry discovered they should suit at last year’s ball? And this year, Felicity had confided she and Marberry planned on announcing their engagement.
Ben was even invited to the ball this year, something he normally would not attend. Apparently, he had advised a few members of Lord Marberry’s circle of friends on an investment which had done extremely well for them, and earned him a place.
With her hair done, she slowly made her way down the stairs to where her parents waited. Her father paced before the door, snarling at the butler when he tried to hand him his gloves. Her mother took them instead and tapped them against her thigh until she spotted Daisy. “Here she is.” She nodded toward the stairs and handed the gloves to her husband.
“Finally,” her father griped. “You will not shame me this evening. You are my daughter and will do as you are told.”
“I’m dressed and ready, was that not what you ordered?” She bit the insides of her cheek to keep from saying more.
“I don’t know what has come over you lately, young lady,” her mother said. She gestured to Daniel, who held out Daisy’s cloak. “Help your sister to the carriage, it’s past time we left for the ball.”
The cloak settled over her shoulders but she hesitated after taking Daniel’s arm. “Do you plan on making any announcements tonight?” She turned to her mother. “Are you going to force me to marry someone I don’t want?”
“We will do what is best for you,” she insisted.
“Because a forced marriage worked out so well for the two of you. I understand.” She dropped Daniel’s arm and marched out the door.
He jogged to catch up and tucked her arm into his. She glanced back as she ascended the carriage stairs to see her parents arguing. They had yet to leave the house.
Daniel chuckled. “You struck true with that last comment.” He settled back in his seat. “I have heard no mention of Mr. Chapman. Have you not told them there is a man you would like to marry?”
She hung her head. “I have not. I fear he may suffer some reprisal should our parents decide my falling love with Ben was somehow his fault. It was, of course. But only because he is so wonderful. He never behaved inappropriately in the slightest way.” Except for their kiss. The memory shot through her with longing. That kiss had kept her up the past two nights. She sighed. “How could anyone not fall for him. He is...” She broke off at the look of amusement on Daniel’s face. “This is no laughing matter. My future is at stake.”
He coughed politely into his hand. “Yes, dear sister. Of course. I do indeed see this is a serious matter. But if the mere mention of his name to our parents is going to cause him harm, how do you propose to marry him without their knowledge?”
“I am quite certain Mother and Father will come around to my way of thinking once they see how happy we are together. Deep down, I do believe our parents want what is best for me. I’m merely struggling with how to make them realize Ben is what is best.”
“A task made even more difficult by withholding his name,” her brother pushed. “What does Mr. Chapman have to say to all this? Why has he not come forward himself and declared his intentions to our father?”
She sighed. “Very well. I have two barriers that I must fight against.”
Daniel raised his brows in question.
“Ben is being quite silly at the moment by joining our parents in the idea that I should marry a man with a lofty title and good fortune. He insists that I deserve more than a mere solicitor as husband,” she finished in a huff.
Daniel laughed. Before she could admonish him for finding humor in her plight, her parents joined them in the carriage for the long ride to the ball.
She took as deep a breath as her corset allowed and steadied herself. Her brother was right. How could she expect to get what she wanted if she didn’t even tell her parents exactly what that was? Maybe on the way to the societal event of the year wasn’t the best time, but if she didn’t say something now, she might not have the chance later.
If her father pledged her to another man tonight, she feared she would have no choice. She couldn’t allow that to happen.
Daisy suffered through dancing with each of the men on her parents’ list in an attempt to follow through on an agreement they had reached in the carriage. Daisy would give each man an opportunity to impress her this evening and her parents would listen to Ben make a case for why he would make a good husband for their daughter.
So far, she remained unimpressed, though not as repulsed as she had been originally. Ben’s words in support of each man came to mind and she endeavored to see their good qualities.
Getting Ben to make a plea for their union would be a much more difficult task for many reasons. Not the least of which was that he did not appear to be in attendance this evening.
Did her father know something she didn’t? Was that why he’d insisted the matter be settled tonight? At the time, she’d assumed it was because he’d had enough of waiting and his patience had worn thin. But maybe Ben had informed her father that he could not attend the ball after all. Panic beginning to settle in, she searched desperately for Felicity.
She finally spotted her, but before she could head in that direction the Duke of Marberry approached Felicity and the two left the room together. Daisy frowned, but shrugged off the uneasy feeling. What could the duke do in the midst of a crowded ball?
“May I have this dance, Miss Worthington?”
She stifled a groan, but plastered a smile on her face as she turned to face Lord Webb. She couldn’t figure out why he insisted on courting her. He appeared more interested in learning about her family than anything else. The only positive in his favor was that he didn’t spend all their time together talking about himself.
But his interest confused her.
“I believe the orchestra is about to play a waltz.” He held a hand out and led her to the floor.
Cold from his hand spread through her glove to her fingers. She shivered. He must have been outside recently to explain the chill. Her attempt at t
ugging her hand free failed and she was forced to retain the grip. Rather than warming at the continued contact, the cold seeped deeper.
To her delight, he was wrong in assuming they would dance a waltz. He didn’t appear to be the only one as several couples had formed only for a lively reel to be played instead. Confusion reigned for a minute but the dancers quickly fell in line, leaving little room for conversation. Lord Webb scowled the entire time.
When the dance finally ended, it was one of the longer ones, they were both slightly out of breath. He led her from the floor, but resisted her efforts to turn toward where she could see her brother waiting. She tugged at her hand, trying to dislodge it from where he’d tucked it against his side. “I would like to return to my brother, please.”
“Nonsense,” he replied. “It is quite a crush in here. We will take a turn about the patio to cool down.”
“I am afraid it is much too cold outside for me, my lord.” She once again tried to stop their progress. Damn the infernal man. Could he not listen for a moment to realize she didn’t wish to go with him? Was he trying to force her hand by putting them into a compromising position?
No. She wouldn’t allow it. But what could she do? Making a commotion here could land her in the same position.
“I wish to speak to you in private.”
“But I don’t,” she insisted.
“I believe Miss Worthington promised the next dance to me.”
She could have cried with relief when Ben stepped in front of Lord Webb, forcing them to a halt in order to avoid crashing into him.
Lord Webb appeared displeased. “Chapman.” He nodded a greeting. “Step aside. I’m sure Miss Worthington will prefer to dance with you after she has a bracing breath of air.”
“I’m afraid I must insist.”
Ben stood several inches shorter than Lord Webb, but there was a look in his eye that showed he meant what he said.
After a moment, in which Daisy’s stomach tied itself into knots, she bit her lower lip. Lord Webb nodded and released her hand. He gave the barest of bows toward Ben. “As you wish. I have business with her father and really should see to it now. I fear I lost all sense in the lovely Miss Worthington’s company and didn’t wish our pleasant interlude to end. Never mind, we shall have ample time together in the near future. Good evening, my dear.” He held her fingers to his lips for a brief kiss, dropping them quickly. “Chapman.”
Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, Ben gave her an alarmed look. “What business does he have with your father?”
She almost reassured him Lord Webb was the last man her father would force upon her. Her mother had put an end to his consideration weeks ago after rumors of his dalliance with Miss Atwater reached her ears. But this could be the impetus Ben needed to realize he was, as she already knew, the only man for Daisy.
So, she lied. “Please do not say anything, but Lord Webb appears to be Father’s choice for me.”
“Webb? Why? The man is the worst...”
“Hush, Mr. Chapman.” Her gaze swept their immediate area to be sure his outburst was not heard, but no one appeared to be paying them any mind. She led him to a secluded alcove designed to give guests a bit of privacy in the crowded ballroom. “Nothing has been announced as of yet, but my father has determined to wait no longer. If I cannot provide a suitable alternative, I will have no choice but to acquiesce to his wishes.” She boldly placed a hand above his heart. “Please, Ben. You know what I wish.”
He covered her hand with his. Warmth seeped through her gloves and she wished she could strip off the cloth so they could truly touch.
“You will not feel that way when you are no longer invited to parties such as this. When your friends turn from you with pity in their eyes because you married below you.”
“If my friends did that, they were never really my friends were they? And I have no desire to attend meaningless ball after meaningless ball.”
“You love to dance.”
“I don’t need to attend events such as this to dance. And I would give up all of this in a second to have love in my marriage.”
He shook his head.
She barely restrained her tears. “Then I shall tell my father to let Lord Webb know I will marry him for it does not matter to me.”
He gripped her arms and gave her a gentle shake. She could sense his restraint. Upset as he was, he would never hurt her. “You can’t.”
“I can.”
Chapter Six
Ben paced the edge of the ballroom. The festive setting did little to ease his turmoil.
For the first time in his life, he was at a complete loss for what to do. He couldn’t let Daisy marry that scoundrel Webb. But how could he stop her?
He had no business speaking with Lord Worthington about the matter. Not if he were not pursuing her himself.
He couldn’t. No matter how much he wanted to. Could he? She might wish to marry him now, but what would happen in a year? Ten years?
Would she grow to resent her limited place in society? Would she come to hate him when the life that should be hers was denied because she married someone below her station?
His parents had once been deeply in love. But that love died when his father landed in debtors’ prison and his wife and son had to scrounge on the streets for enough money to live on. Ben’s mother had died of heartbreak long before Ben had made the investments that allowed him to pull himself off the streets and into a position where men like Lord Worthington came to him for advice.
“You’re going to let her marry a man who doesn’t love her?”
He spun to find Daniel Worthington standing beside him.
“I fail to see how her marriage is any of my concern.”
Worthington laughed. “It is entirely your concern given that you’re the one she wishes to marry.”
“She told you that?”
“She did.” He crossed his arms over his chest and glared. “What I want to know is what you intend to do about it.”
“I can do nothing. She deserves better than me.”
“She deserves to marry the man she loves. All this,” he said, and waved a hand at the dancers in their colorful gowns, the men gambling in the next room, just visible from where they stood. “This is all meaningless. Daisy has never cared for any of it. Give her a paintbrush and a canvas and she’s happy.” He paused. “Or at least, she was.”
His head jerked up. “She’s unhappy now?”
“Hmm. Let’s see. The man she loves is refusing to fight for her hand. Yes. She’s unhappy.”
Ben winced. “All I want is her happiness.”
“Then fight for it.” Worthington clapped him on the back and left.
Ben squared his shoulders and sought out Daisy’s father in the crowd. Before long, he located the viscount and marched up to him, determined to save Daisy from the horrible choice about to be thrust upon her.
“My Lord. I wish to speak with you,” he announced when he stood before his employer.
Lord Worthington’s frown surprised him. The man had never given him such a look before. Especially since he’d identified the thefts committed by his steward and helped him recover all that was taken.
“Chapman. You seem agitated. Perhaps this discussion would be better served with a bit of privacy.” He gestured toward a door a few steps from them. “Come.” The viscount led the way onto a deserted balcony.
The cold sliced right through him but he refused to allow Lord Worthington to notice his discomfort.
“Well? What is this about?”
“I wish permission to court your daughter.”
Her father simply stared at him with raised brows. He did not appear as surprised as Ben would have imagined him to be after a lowly solicitor expressed interest in marrying the daughter of a viscount.
He cleared his throat. “I can make her happy. None of the other men you are considering can. They don’t understand her. None of them would place her wishes above their own.”
>
“You would?” Lord Worthington asked. “Why? What do you hope to gain? Do you think marrying above your station will give you access to events such as this one? Do you seek to use my daughter to better your own position in life?”
Fury tightened his throat. He took several deep breaths while clenching and unclenching his hands. The urge to strike the viscount was strong after such insults. But, he needed to keep his temper under control. Daisy might be at odds with her father, but she cared for him deeply. He must treat the man with respect, even if he didn’t receive it back. He would have to earn it by proving him wrong in his opinion.
“I love your daughter. My reason is as simple as that.”
“Love is never simple, my boy.”
He acknowledged the truth with a curt nod. “Simple or complicated, I love her. A man like Webb would never treat her right.”
“Webb?” Lord Worthington laughed. “You are right about that. I would never let such a scoundrel marry my daughter. Had I known you might aspire to court her yourself, I never would have let you work in the same room with her for the past months. I blame myself.”
Surprise tied his tongue for a moment. What was this about Webb?
It mattered not. Now that he had decided to fight for Daisy, he couldn’t go on without her. He must prove his worth. “Such was not my intention. Your daughter is beyond lovely. She lights up any room she enters. She is gentle and kind and intelligent. No one could spend such an extended period of time in her presence and not fall in love with her.”
“None of the men currently courting my daughter have mentioned such reasons for their desire to wed her. Most inquire as to the extent of her dowry. Don’t you want to hear what marriage to her will get you before you speak with such passion?”
“A dowry is unnecessary. I have no need of it.”
That seemed to interest him. His brows raised and a smile tilted his lips. “You expect me to believe that?”
“You will recall that I have spent the past few months reviewing every aspect of your finances.”