Chapter 12
Daisy wason top of the world. As she moved her feet in time with the music, staring into the dark eyes of this man who could offer her more than she’d ever hoped for in her life, her head felt like electricity was burning her up alive. He was good looking, much better than she had been expecting, and every time Daisy caught his eye she felt a skipping sensation in herheart.
That was new! No one had ever given her thatbefore.
This was so terribly exciting, she could barely stop herself from smiling. On more than one occasion, she had been forced to restrain herself from getting carried away, just to keep up the rouse. Every now and again she felt frustrated by the silly rules that the higher classes had for themselves because they made life unnecessarily challenging, but aside from that, it felt like this was the life for her. The switch had affected her in more ways than she ever felt possible, now she actually wanted it forreal.
“Ooh, I love this song, do you not think it is wonderful the way the beat and the melody blends together?” So Daisy had no idea about music, it hardly mattered. She simply could not stop herself from saying wonderfully positivethings.
“Hmm,” the Duke repliednoncommittally.
That was how he answered most of her questions, which was possibly a little annoying. When he spoke about himself he was animated and vibrant, but when she talked, he seemed to shrink in on himself. Daisy could see why he might have received his terrible reputation if he acted this way with everyone, but Daisy would not allow that to ruin her night. This was the best time she had ever had. She loved being alady!
"And the Jameson Sisters look lovely, don't they?" Luckily Daisy had overheard someone calling them that, which allowed her to talk about someone as if she knew them. She was grateful really that everyone knew Iris had not spent a lot of time in public. It allowed her to get away with things that she might not have done otherwise. “I wish my dress was bluer, liketheirs.”
“Hmm.”
Again, Daisy narrowed her eyes in frustration. He should have given her a compliment at that time, he should have told her that her dress was lovely just as it was and it made her look wonderful too, it was the perfect opportunity. For a Duke, he did not have very good manners, which was a little irritating. Not that she wanted to complain toomuch.
Still, she would not allow his gruffness to bring her mood down. Even if he was not nice, the music was wonderful, the great hall looked incredible, her dress made her look lovely, and the food at the party was delicious. That was all thatmattered.
Daisy glanced her eyes around the rest of the room trying to locate Iris for a moment rather than continuing the failing conversation, but she was nowhere to be found. At the start of the night she was tucked away in the corner, watching her, supporting her from afar, but now... now even if Daisy needed her she was notthere.
Was it because Daisy had been speaking so nicely to theDuke?
All of a sudden, the original plan hit her in the face. She was supposed to be using her lower class, course manners to put the Duke off the idea of marrying Iris. She was supposed to be making him feel uncomfortable around her, showing off her terrible behaviour, but somehow, in the magic of the evening, she’d totallyforgotten.
If Daisy was honest with herself, she had become so wrapped up in the idea of being a lady that she had acted in a selfish manner. Instead of doing what she had promised, she had been trying to impress the Duke, she wanted him to like her. She felt like she deserved hislike.
She had messed up; this was reallybad.
Daisy looked up at the Duke, wishing that she could work on what was going on behind that stare. She felt like he had a depth to him that others could not see. She figured that he was misunderstood, and that gave her an excuse for acting sowrongly...
Or maybe she was just trying to make herself feel less terrible for practically resigning her friend to wed a man that she did notlike.
Although... that was not possible now, was it? He thought that she was his betrothed. This was messier than ever now.Unless...
The Duke wanted to marry Iris Warwick. He thought thatshewas Iris Warwick. It seemed impossible to dream of, and Daisy was not sure if it made her a terrible person, but couldshebe the one to marry the Duke? It was crazy, but it would give her everything that she’d ever wanted. Maybe Duke Pembroke wouldn’t make a good husband, but that did not trouble Daisy. She would have all the money that she could ever need. It did not matter if the Duke wasn’t pleasant to be around, or even if he had affairs. As far as Daisy was aware, most of the wealthy men did anyway. No, Daisy would not need him to be a good husband, she would just like thelifestyle.
As she came up with the plan in her mind, she even started to consider the practical arrangements. If she was Iris Warwick, she would have the dowry, she would have the life... but what would Iris do? Would she be comfortable remaining a maid? She would have to dosomethingif they did not want to be found out, she certainly could not continue being Iris Warwick aswell.
Shecouldbe Daisy, but not in this house. If Olivia was coming to live here, then she would instantly know. She would have to go and work somewhere else, for anotherperson.
Daisy had a cousin, Victoria, who worked in another house like this one. Daisy knew that she was happy and that the employers were kind to their staff. Maybe, if Iris wanted to continue being a maid, she would be happy there aswell.
Daisy was not convinced, even in her mind that this could possibly work. Iris was utterly terrified of the outside world. It did not matter that she was doing much better these days, this would be a step too far. Daisy could not imagine Iris agreeing to this madness, it would more than likely send her spiralling back intosadness.
It was a nice dream, but it could never become thetruth.
Daisy was disappointed, it was sad to say goodbye to her first ever real wish before it even had the chance of becoming a reality, but such was her life. Soon enough she would be back to mopping, and cleaning, and blending into the background. Never again would she have all the eyes of the room appreciatively uponher.
She would missthat.
As the music came to an end and the Duke’s arms fell away from her, Daisy already missed the sensation of his hands wrapped protectively around her shoulders. He might not have been a wonderful gentleman, but he was the closest that she would ever get to being a truelady.
“Thank you for the dances,” she told him sadly. “That was verynice.”
The Duke nodded sharply at her before he moved with large strides across the grand hall to speak to her “uncle”. An unnecessary spike of excitement burst into her chest. There was no point in getting her hopes up that he was arranging to marry her because it could neverhappen.
