The Princess's Bride (7 page)

"Daisy?" Thomas called out as he walked across the patio and out onto the lawn.

Daisy closed her book and placed it on her lap as her brother sat down next to her.

"Taking a break?" she asked, giving him a small smile.

Thomas pushed back his shaggy blond hair that was in need of a trim. "I finally finished the billing." He stretched his arms and covered a yawn. "Excuse me. I’ve been spending too many late nights in father's office."

She patted his knee. "It's your office now."

"Funny, it has been almost six years since father has passed, but I still think of that stuffy room as his."

Daisy smiled fondly. "Papa would be so proud at you. He left the estate in good hands. I don't know of any other man at twenty-eight who could run a property as well as you do."

Thomas pushed back his gray suit coat and crossed a leg over his knee. "There is only one I can think of who can do a much better job than I can. Your Lord Humphrey has a skill with numbers and supervising his workers."

Daisy looked down at her lap. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted one squirrel running after another near the far corner of the lawn. "I guess he is mine now, isn't he?"

Thomas laid a hand on her arm and squeezed. "He will be soon enough. In a week's time everyone in Flaundia will know that you are engaged to a naval hero."

"Much has been on my mind. I can't believe I will be leaving your household to run my very own. It is somewhat intimidating. I-I… oh ignore me. I'm just being fanciful."

"Daisy, Humphrey is a good man. He will be more than happy to show you how to run a household. I have seen the adoration in his eyes when he watches you. It is much like the way Father would look at Mother. Father would be so proud. He always wanted you and Humphrey to be man and wife."

Daisy twiddled her thumbs and nodded. "Yes, you are right. It's just my nerves getting the best of me."

"Good. I was worried—"

"Worried?" Daisy frowned. "Whatever for?"

"Ah… you were in a horrible depression for such a long time – wouldn't eat, hardly spoke, all because of that—"

"Master Thomas?"

Both Daisy and Thomas turned when their housekeeper Martha stepped out and walked over to them.

"Lord Humphrey is here. I put him in the salon."

"But he isn't set to arrive for another two hours. Oh dear." Daisy stood and placed her book on the bench seat.

"Calm down, Daisy, dear. I will play host to Humphrey while you freshen up." Thomas glanced down at his pocket watch. "It is almost time for tea. Perhaps something else came up and that is why Humphrey has come earlier then expected."

"If you don't mind me sayin', the lordship is all smiles and very anxious. He was pacin'

the room when I left." Martha leaned in to whisper. "And he has two boxes, a long velvet one and another smaller one that looks to me like it might have a ring inside."

"Martha!" Daisy admonished.

Martha winked in response and curtsied. She walked back inside, humming softly under her breath.

Daisy and Thomas looked at one another for a moment. Then he grabbed her arm and wrapped it around his own. They walked back inside the house.

"Why don't you run upstairs to refresh yourself and I will tell the cook to bring us tea and those tarts you love so much?"

Daisy almost tripped and steadied herself. She held onto Thomas tighter. "T-tarts? What kind of tarts?"

"Strawberry of course! You must be too excited to see your betrothed if you can't remember that simple thing. By the by, I can't think of the last time you have eaten a dessert tart.

I do remember our old cook Wilda making the most incredible ones. And her daughter… what was her name?"

Daisy swallowed and her lips trembled as she mouthed the name he inquired about.

Distant memories rushed over her as she reflected back to a certain time in her girlhood when she had enjoyed a few strawberry tarts with the one person she thought she would be with forever.

She tried to shake off the memories that always made her chest hurt. "Thomas, I'm suddenly not feeling too—"

"There she is! My beautiful blushing bride."

Thomas and Daisy turned to see Lord Humphrey standing in the doorway of their salon.

A huge smile broke over his face, and he rushed forward and took Daisy's hands in his own.

"You are beyond lovely, my dear." He kissed her knuckles and placed her arm in the crook of his. "You are also looking very well, Thomas."

Thomas crossed his hands behind his back, rocked on his feet and nodded. "Thank you, my Lord. I am very well. And you?"

"Pish, we are to be family soon. Please call me by my Christian name, Draco." Humphrey looked down at Daisy and gave her another wide grin, showing off his blinding white teeth.

"And that means you also, Daisy."

Thomas held out his arm for Humphrey and Daisy to follow him into the room. Daisy glanced up at Humphrey in surprise. "But my lord, it would not be proper to call you by your given name. I would rather wait until we announce our engagement."

Humphrey pursed his lips together and led Daisy over to the settee. He sat down next to her and took hold of her hand. Daisy held back a grimace. She wished he wouldn't display such affection in front of her brother.

Thomas didn't seem to mind, however, as he stood and folded his hands in front of his waist. "I am in agreement with his lordship. What would be the harm? No one else would know.

It can be our secret."

Humphrey looked at Daisy in anticipation and she held back a giggle. He reminded her of a little boy who wanted a sweet. She stopped from rolling her eyes and nodded.

"Very well… Draco."

Humphrey squeezed her hand and sat more comfortably. He smoothed a palm against the side of his head and exhaled. Daisy found this nervous habit endearing. Even though her future husband was a decade older than she, he had many outstanding qualities.

Combined with his good looks and well-rounded business sense, he was very much the catch of all the single Flaundian misses. Daisy was lucky indeed to have “caught” him.

Daisy’s musings were interrupted when Thomas snapped his fingers. "Excuse me for a moment. I forgot I have to mention something of importance to my foreman."

Before Daisy could call out to him, he left. She sighed, shaking her head, and looked at Humphrey.

"You must forgive Thomas. He has so much on his mind and sometimes he forgets things."

"It's perfectly understandable." Humphrey slid in closer to Daisy and glanced over at the entrance of the room where the door had been left halfway open.

"Lord… um Draco," Daisy whispered and shifted further into the corner.

Humphrey acted unaware of Daisy's discomfort and took her hands in his again, placing kisses over her palms. "You have made me the happiest of men when you accepted my proposal last week. I know we were sadly interrupted by your brother, and you did not receive a kiss as most women would expect when they are newly engaged."

"There is no reason—"

Humphrey pressed his mouth against hers, and she gasped. As she opened her mouth, he stuck the tip of his tongue across the bottom of her teeth. Daisy tried to remove her hands from his, but he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, bringing her in closer.

"Urmph." Daisy voice was muffled against his mouth, and she moved her face away.

Humphrey placed his mouth against her cheek and inhaled deeply. When he moved his thigh against hers, Daisy gasped again. Something hard dug into her hip, and it wasn't his leg.

Daisy was ready to kick her fiancé's shin to force him to release her, but then she heard the sound of a cart moving down the hall. Humphrey gave her one last kiss on the cheek and slid a few inches over. As he spread out his coat, Daisy looked down at his lap and lifted a shaking hand to her mouth. She could see his arousal tenting his tan breeches.

She laid a hand over her heart and, when she met his eyes, he winked!

Daisy was speechless. A million possible things she should have said crossed her mind, but she kept silent.

The moment was lost as Martha wheeled in the tea and a few plates filled with biscuits and crumpets. There was not one strawberry tart among the bunch. Daisy exhaled.

"Please forgive my excitement." Humphrey spoke out of the side of his mouth and took hold of Daisy's hand again. Martha took no notice. Daisy wanted to jump up and excuse herself, but then Thomas walked back in.

"Sorry about that. Ah, thank you Martha. These smell incredible." Thomas grabbed one of the biscuits and took a huge bite. He smiled at Daisy, and she gave him an unhappy stare. He ignored her and sat down, taking one of the tea cups from Martha.

Daisy released a soft sigh when Humphrey let go of her hand to take his own cup. She reached over to grab a plate when Humphrey suddenly stood.

"Before we partake in tea, I must give you your betrothal gift, my love."

Daisy held back a cringe at the endearment, watching closely as he put down his cup and saucer and walked over to the side table where the two boxes Martha had described before were sitting.

Martha stood behind Thomas, who finished eating his biscuit. Daisy sat up straight when Humphrey came back over. He sat down next to her at a more respectful distance and handed her the long box.

"Lord Humphrey, you shouldn't have," Daisy said and rubbed her thumb over the top of the box.

"Draco, my dear," Humphrey said in a slightly forceful tone.

When Daisy looked up at him, she noticed the strained lines around his mouth. She nodded and knew the way she was acting was childish. She should be more than grateful of Lord Humphrey’s generosity.

"Forgive me. I'm still becoming accustomed to our close relationship."

Humphrey nodded and glanced down quickly at Daisy's chest, then back up to her face. "I understand, Daisy. More than you could ever know."

Daisy frowned and licked her lips, unsure what he meant by that statement.

Thomas slapped his hands on his knees and sat forward. "Don't keep us in suspense, Daisy. Open your present."

She took off the top and lifted away the wrapping inside. A gasp escaped from her mouth.

A necklace of sparking diamonds was lying in the box.

"Oh my!" Daisy exclaimed and could only stare as Humphrey slid his hand under the necklace and held it up against her neck.

"These were my great-grandmother's. Every Humphrey bride-to-be is given this very special and priceless necklace to be worn on their wedding day. I'm jumping the gun, so to speak, but I would love nothing more if you would wear these at my charity ball next week when we announce our engagement."

Daisy nodded and covered her mouth, speechless at receiving such a gift. She touched the glittering diamonds and giggled when they sparkled on the far wall.

Humphrey placed the necklace back in its box, reached into his jacket pocket and took out a small velvet box. "Before I forget. Your engagement ring, my lady."

Daisy's eyes grew wide as Humphrey flipped open the box. Inside lay a perfectly cut diamond carat.

"Oh Draco, it is wonderful." Daisy finally said his first name without censor.

He knelt down to the floor on one knee, taking Daisy's hand in his. "Princess Daisy, formerly of the Isle of Ileria, daughter of King Conrad de Fleurre, brother of Prince Thomas, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes," Daisy said softly. Her hand trembled as she watched Humphrey slide the ring on.

He squeezed her knuckles. She held up her hand, admiring the ring that belonged to her now.

"Oh, Miss Daisy!" Martha cried into her handkerchief.

"Well done!" Thomas walked over to Humphrey and shook his hand. Daisy stood and hugged her brother and then Martha. All four shared congratulations and good cheer.

Martha left the room to spread the word, and Thomas led Humphrey over to the side bar to share a glass of brandy together. As both men talked, Daisy stood in awe of her ring. She glanced out the window, and her eye caught a stray cloud floating by that reminded her of a cat.

Suddenly her stomach cramped and she sat down, lost in her memories for a moment.

"Daisy?"

Humphrey stood before her. He smiled and held out his hand. "Your brother has given me permission to walk with you around the garden. Since it is such a beautiful day, why don't we enjoy the weather?"

Daisy placed a palm over her chest. Somehow she knew if she “walked” with Humphrey alone, he would want to share a few intimacies that most engaged couples enjoyed together.

Resigned to this fact and justifiably curious to see how more of his kisses would make her feel, she stood again and wrapped her arm in his.

Before they could leave the room, a young boy around the age of thirteen walked in behind Martha. He held his cap and a square piece of paper in his hands.

"'Scuse me, Lord Humphrey, but an important message came for you. I was told to bring it to you right away," the lad said and held out the folded note.

Humphrey opened the paper and scanned the words. He finished reading and slapped it against his hip.

"Is everything well, Humphrey?" Thomas asked and took a drink of his brandy.

Humphrey exhaled. "Nothing to worry about. Something has come up at the shipping yard, and my secretary needs my assistance." Humphrey walked over to Daisy and placed his hands on top of her shoulders. "Forgive me, my dear. We will have to reschedule our walk and dinner." He shifted down and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Daisy folded her hands in front of her waist and, when Humphrey turned his head slightly to the side, she lifted up on her toes and gave him a small peck on the mouth.

"Thank you, my dear. The press of your lips against my own will carry me home."

Humphrey looked down into Daisy's face and cupped her cheek in his hand. His thumb brushed across her chin.

"Ahem." Thomas cleared his throat. Humphrey blinked and backed away.

"Well, then, I will be off. Please take care of the necklace. I assume you have a safe, Thomas?"