Page 96 of Road Trip With a Rogue
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 afait 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 tookDaisy’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 afait 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’llhaveto 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 façade 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.