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Daisy really did not know how Charles was to break the news of his engagement to his friends. He was a genial gentleman, once one got more acquainted with him, but she did not think he would suffer being overly teased and laughed at. He preferred a certain dignity, as she did herself—neither of them relished appearing silly.
When she’d hinted that he ought not give anybody a black eye, it was because she could see how things might go in that direction if his friends expressed too much glee over his being so wrong in his past opinions. Especially Lord Grayson, who was always too much in the habit of cheerful mockery.
They’d been admitted to the house and led to their respective bedchambers and she had not seen him since. She had not seen anybody and only understood that everybody was to gather in the drawing room at seven before dinner. Theeverybodynoted were all of Burke’s particular friends—the lords Hampton, Lockwood, Ashworth, Cabot, and Grayson, and their respective wives. They would see the Minkertons and their friends and relatives on the following day, but this was to be a small party of old friends.
Daisy did not consider herself one of these old friends, though some of them she knew better than others. She particularly looked forward to seeing Kitty. Though just now, her thoughts were far more taken up with how poor Charles was to get through his gauntlet.
Still, he must do it. These were the only people that really mattered to Charles, and so it was the ideal time to relay his news.
On the other hand, the dinner had been advertised as Burke’s idea of saying goodbye to the last of the willing bachelors, everybody apparently putting Lord Dalton into theunwillingcategory. Her poor, dear Charles.
Daisy had donned a satin dress that was some shade between red and dark orange, its vibrant color not having a thing to do with sadness. She thought it might communicate that her mourning, if she had ever mourned, was over. It might stop the inevitable condolences that she never really knew how to receive. In any case, it made her feel more like herself and she had no intention of hiding again.
She waited until the last possible moment to go down. She did not wish to have any awkward conversations—the entire party would view her as the cool Miss Danworth that Lord Dalton had been forced to drag from place to place.
Well, with the exception of Lord Burke, possibly, though even he did not know their secret.
The drawing room, though large, was already crowded. Charles stood with Lord Ashworth, Lord Hampton, and Lord Lockwood nearby a window. Lord Grayson and Lord Cabot were having an animated conversation with Lord Burke. Most of the ladies sat together on a long sofa, so engaged with one another that her entrance was not noted. But Kitty spotted Daisy at once and made her way over.
“Dear Daisy!” she said. “I did not know if Lord Dalton would bring you or not, but then Lord Burke told me you’d struck up a friendship with Miss Minkerton and he was sure you would come. I was so delighted to know it. Also, when we have a moment alone, I must know more about the mystery of the Dagobert! Was it indeed the scepter? How did you come across it? What has happened to it?”
Daisy nodded at Kitty’s enthusiastic stream of questions, keeping one eye on her intended, who was looking decidedly uncomfortable. She said to Kitty, “It is more mysterious than you would imagine, and do not repeat the name Dagobert anywhere—it is to remain a very great secret. I will tell you why when I can.”
Kitty appeared delighted with the idea that there was something further mysterious to know. She surely would have pressed on, had not Lord Burke sent champagne round and now tapped his crystal glass with a silver letter opener to quiet everyone.
All eyes turned to Lord Burke and conversations stopped. “My friends, I cannot tell you how happy I am that you have all traveled far and wide for my wedding. It was a long time coming, as some of you know and some of you don’t, but I have been in love with Belle Minkerton for as long as I can remember. It was the reason, perhaps, that I was sometimes able to give out such level-headed counsel to my friends—I was always standing outside the fray, my heart safely left behind in Somerset.”
“Here, here,” Lord Lockwood said.
“Now,” Lord Burke continued, “we will wed, and I will be surrounded by friends who wish for my happiness.”
“And the miracle of it,” Lord Grayson said, laughing, “is that for once, Dalton didn’t do anything to stop it.”
The entire party found great mirth in this idea, though Daisy did not so much. The teasing had begun and Charles hadn’t even told them of his engagement to her. She was afraid the whole thing could turn remarkably dreadful.
“As to that,” Lord Dalton said, “I told Burke I had decided not to interfere. And, I will just point out that a man may change his mind on occasion. In fact, an educated man often does. It is only the dull and stupid who do not occasionally reflect on their opinions and make adjustments where necessary.”
Daisy gripped Kitty’s hand. Kitty squeezed back but looked entirely perplexed as to why her hand was being squeezed so tightly.
“Furthermore, when a man changes his mind,” Lord Dalton went on, “a man’s friends ought to go along with it without unnecessary debate. Or risk a black eye.”
Good Lord, he was threatening black eyes already and had not even said why.
“We’ll all happily go along with your ceasing your meddling in our affairs,” Lord Ashworth said, “however late you are to the idea. No reason to threaten black eyes over it.”
“Indeed,” Cassandra said, “even I have forgiven you and think no more about it.”
“As have I,” Sybil said.
“I think you rather helped me than not,” Lily said, “though it was not your purpose.”
“My lord and I are far too busy with our horses to give it much thought,” Penny said.
“Well, I am still alittleannoyed,” Kitty said, still clasping Daisy’s hand, “but I won’t hold a grudge forever. It would not be very intellectual to do so, I do not think.”
“There, you see?” Lord Cabot said, “no harm done in the end, Dalton. You may retire your threats of black eyes.”
