Page 47 of Road Trip With a Rogue (Her Majesty’s Rebels #3)
Daisy’s surprise at the Queen’s unexpected arrival was echoed by everyone in the room, and a buzz of delighted chatter filled the air.
King George was still immensely popular, despite his regular bouts of illness, and his queen was similarly beloved. Many of her subjects admired her steadfast loyalty to her husband, and her stoic forbearance when it came to her extensive brood of scandal-ridden children.
Her Majesty accepted the deep bows and curtseys from those around her with a benevolent smile.
It was impossible to tell whether she’d come in costume or not, since she regularly favored dresses embellished with all manner of gems and ribbons, but Daisy bit back a relieved smile as she watched Mr. Brand almost bend himself in two as he bowed and was introduced by Lord Mansfield.
He could have no complaint about the service provided by King & Co. now . The presence of royalty at his party would be the pinnacle of his most fervent hopes and dreams.
Instead of leading Daisy back to Tess and Ellie, Lucien guided her confidently over to the queen, and Daisy sent the older woman a friendly smile before she ducked into a deep curtsey.
“Miss Hamilton!” the queen said warmly. “How good to see you looking so well. And on the arm of such a handsome partner too.” She sent Vaughan a pleased glance. “Your Grace.”
Lucien bowed, and remained close to Daisy’s side as the queen took a few steps away from their host. Two of her ladies engaged the men in conversation, which gave their mistress a moment with Daisy and Lucien alone.
“I have heard,” the queen said, snapping open her fan and waving it languidly in front of her face, “the most interesting rumors concerning the two of you.”
Her brows rose in a perfect arch and her eyes twinkled in a teasing way that belied her advanced age.
Daisy felt her cheeks heat. “Oh, really?”
The queen chuckled. “Oh, yes. Tales of scandalous elopements and even more scandalous engagements.” She glanced over at Lucien, who raised his own brows in a playful, innocent expression, but said nothing.
“Knowing how few rumors have any basis in actual fact—and how certain society ladies are prone to exaggeration”—the queen sent a pointed glance over at Letty Richardson and her little flock, who were fluttering about on the opposite side of the room—“I thought it sensible to find out for myself.”
She turned her inquisitive gaze back to Lucien. “The Archbishop of Canterbury likes to keep me abreast of all the special licenses he’s dispensed. Imagine my surprise when he mentioned that you , Your Grace, had requested one.”
Lucien’s lips twitched as he fought not to laugh at her shameless prying. “That’s correct, Your Majesty.”
“In which case, should I infer that the rumor of the two of you being already married at Gretna Green is false, but the one about you being engaged to be married is true?”
Lucien spoke up before Daisy could say anything. “Indeed, Your Majesty. Although we have yet to confirm anything publicly.”
The queen clapped her hands in delight. “How wonderful!” She sent Daisy a maternal smile and lowered her voice to a throaty whisper. “Your secret is safe with me. Have you set a time and a place for your wedding?”
Daisy shook her head. “We have not. But a big, public affair at St. George’s in Hanover Square has never held any appeal for me.”
Lucien raised his brows. “I thought all females were supposed to have dreamed of their wedding day in vivid detail? The dress, the flowers, that sort of thing.”
“The only thing I’ve dreamed of in vivid detail is the cake,” Daisy said.
And the wedding night.
She could not say that in front of the queen.
The queen chuckled indulgently, clearly enjoying their candor. “Well, as long as you have that special license, the right number of witnesses, and someone to marry you, you can do it at any time and place of your choosing.”
Lucien smiled, and the queen visibly melted under his wicked, teasing look, despite being old enough to be his mother. She clearly had a soft spot for a handsome rogue.
“Oh, I have everything under control, Your Majesty. Truth be told, I’m tempted to present everyone with a fait accompli .”
Daisy glanced up at him, desperate to know what he had planned, but the queen gave another chuckle. “In that case, let me wish you the happiest of unions, in advance.”
Lucien swept her another elegant bow and took Daisy’s hand in his. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I look forward to introducing my new duchess to you very soon.”
They took their leave, and Lucien guided her back toward the artificial bower where Tess and Ellie were waiting, their eyes wide with speculation.
Daisy’s head was spinning. “Did you mean what you said to the queen about presenting everyone with a fait accompli ?”
Lucien nodded. “As soon as we say we’re engaged, we’ll be inundated with questions, and I’m in no mood to deal with it tonight. We might as well just marry and announce that instead.”
They reached Tess and Ellie. “Thank you for the dance, Miss Hamilton,” he said, loud enough for the group of matrons who were hovering nearby to hear. He kissed the back of her hand, and she felt the heat of his lips through the satin of her glove. “Until we meet again.”
He left, and Daisy quashed a ridiculous feeling of anticlimax.
“What’s happening?” Tess demanded softly. “Has he proposed?”
“Not officially, but he told the queen we’re engaged. We’ll have to get married now.”
“Do you want us to start telling people you’re engaged?”
“Not tonight. I’m too tired.” Daisy was keeping her expression perfectly serene for the benefit of those watching, but the strain of keeping up a carefree fa c ade was making her feel like an automaton. “In fact, I think I’m going to go home.”
Ellie glanced at Tess with a look of concern. “It’s a little early to call it a night, isn’t it? Why don’t we just take a walk in the gardens to get some air?”
Daisy shook her head. “No. I need to clear my head.”
“In that case, we’ll drive back with you. You can’t go on your own,” Tess said firmly. Ellie nodded.
“Won’t your husbands expect you to go home with them?” Daisy asked.
“Harry won’t mind. He’s been looking forward to fleecing everyone at the card tables all week.” Ellie grinned. “Don’t worry, I made him swear to play properly, without using any sneaky tactics. He says it’s more satisfying if he wins fairly, without cheating.”
Daisy laughed. Harry might be the Earl of Cobham, but he’d had a colorful past as a card sharp, pickpocket, and thief in his younger years.
“And Justin’s keen to talk with Lord Mansfield about a new shipbuilding enterprise,” Tess said. “He won’t mind if I leave early.”
Daisy slipped out of the ballroom and went to collect her things while Tess and Ellie went to tell the men what they were doing.
A footman called for the coach they’d arrived in—one belonging to her father, with the Dalkeith crest on the door—and Daisy had the sudden wish to be getting into a coach with a golden lion painted on the door instead.
Tess and Ellie appeared soon after, and they all climbed inside while their boxes were stowed in the trunk at the rear of the carriage.
“I told Vaughan you were leaving,” Tess said. “He was with Justin. He said to tell you he’d see you soon.”
Daisy nodded, even as her stomach clenched in anticipation. Lucien wasn’t a man who brooked delay. Did he already have the special license? Would she be his wife before the week was out? Would they be married in his house, in that same study where he’d kissed her so long ago?
Heat flashed over her skin. They had passion. Surely she could temper that into love?
The carriage set off with a jerk, and she stared sightlessly out the window as they bounced along the well-lit drive. They were the only ones leaving, despite it being after midnight.
Darkness descended as they left the gatehouse behind and started along the road toward London. A few stars twinkled in the clear sky above, mirroring the silver thread on her skirts, and she pulled off her satin gloves with a sigh.
Tess and Ellie were murmuring between themselves on the opposite bench, and Daisy allowed herself to fall into a pleasant reverie, with no thoughts in her head except watching the dark leaves of the trees as they passed by the window.
A sudden shout from the driver jolted her back to awareness, and she glanced over at Tess in alarm just as three horsemen galloped past the carriage, one on the left side and two on the right.
The carriage lurched to a stop.
“Stand and deliver!”
The bellowed command from outside made Daisy’s mouth drop open in disbelief.
Not again.
“Oi! Stand aside!” the driver shouted back.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” the brigand said, and Daisy frowned at the hint of laughter in the man’s voice. He sounded awfully familiar. Recognition came almost immediately, and she thrust open the carriage door and jumped down before she could think better of it.
Three mounted figures in dark clothing blocked the road, but it was the central one she fixed with a narrow-eyed glare.
He was dressed in black, with a caped great coat and a tricorn hat pulled low over his brow, and in the moonlight all she could see was the tip of his nose, his chin, and the stubborn line of his jaw.
It was more than enough. She’d know him anywhere.
“Lucien Vaughan! What in hell’s name are you doing?”