Page 15 of The Duke I Wished For (A Maypole in Mayfair #5)

TWO MONTHS LATER…

D affodil was overwhelmed.

Turning her head left and right, she gaped at the row of portraits that lined the gallery in Clifton Hall, Blake’s country estate.

Now her country estate.

Blake’s portrait stood out to her, the last in the row. She grinned at the sight of it. My husband. She still couldn’t quite believe her good fortune. The man was irresistibly handsome…even in an oil painting.

“Come, Mama,” Clarissa called, already taking off for the next hallway at an alarming speed.

Daffodil chased after her, leaving the gallery behind for another wide, wood-paneled hallway.

Yes, she was definitely overwhelmed by the sheer grandness of this old manor, but then again, she’d been constantly overwhelmed for months now, ever since she’d said yes to Blake’s proposal.

But this was different.

“There’s another wing ?” she breathed in disbelief as Clarissa tugged on her hand and dragged her up a winding staircase. They paused on a balcony overlooking a ballroom.

The opulent room below seemed to spin as Daffodil took a deep, steadying breath.

She was the lady of this manor. She blinked and gave her head a little shake. It had been difficult enough to reconcile to the fact that she was now a duchess. And then, for a few days after the wedding, she’d learned to adjust to living in Blake’s large London townhome.

And now…this.

“See my room next!” Clarissa shouted. The girl’s eyes were wide with excitement as she’d led Daffodil on this merry adventure through the behemoth of a manor.

Daffodil crouched down until she was at Clarissa’s level. “Don’t you think we ought to wait for your father? I’m sure he’d love to be on this tour.”

Clarissa nodded, her grin growing wide as they heard Blake’s low voice calling for them from the floor below.

“Where’s my favorite daughter?” His booming voice was teasing as he entered the ballroom.

Clearly he knew exactly where they were.

“And has anyone seen my darling bride?” he called loudly in their direction.

Clarissa giggled.

“Let’s go down and surprise him,” Daffodil said in a loud whisper that echoed off the vaulted ceiling and made Blake chuckle below.

“Yes, Mama. Let’s!” Clarissa slid her hand into Daffodil’s, and Daffodil’s whole chest warmed in a way she wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to.

There was so much love in her life these days.

And perhaps, even more than her new status and homes, that was the most overwhelming part of it all.

Between Blake, who made certain she always knew just how much she was cherished, and Clarissa, who’d so trustingly and willingly claimed her as her new mother…

Daffodil swallowed hard.

She wasn’t sure what she’d done to deserve all this love, but she found herself praying that her sister and her friends found the same joy that she had.

Hand in hand, Daffodil rushed down the stairs with a happily chattering Clarissa. When they reached the bottom, Daffodil and Clarissa paused, taking in the chaotic scene as servants scurried to and fro to unload the carriage containing Daffodil’s trunks.

Blake and Clarissa’s belongings had been delivered before their arrival, and Blake stood in the center of the bustle, giving instructions and answering questions.

Daffodil’s breath caught and a silly smile tugged at her lips as she watched her new husband. He made a fine leader. Always patient and respectful of others. Never abusing his power like some might in his position.

It was one of many qualities she adored about him.

He glanced over just then and caught her watching. His face split with a grin that made her heart flutter. “There they are,” he said. “My beautiful ladies.”

“I’m no lady,” Clarissa protested loudly. “I’m only a girl.”

“Right you are, love,” Blake said as he scooped her up into his arms. “Now tell me, where did you two run off to just now?”

Clarissa rambled on about all she’d shown Daffodil as Blake wrapped his free arm around his wife’s waist and escorted them both out of the chaotic entry and toward the back of the manor.

Blake cast Daffodil a conspiratorial smile when Clarissa trailed off. “Sounds like your mother had a lot to see.”

Daffodil laughed. “I have all the time in the world to explore. And there’s no better way to see my new home than with such an enthusiastic tour guide.”

Blake chuckled even as he steered her past the house, heading straight toward a back entrance.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

But apparently Clarissa already knew because she started clapping.

“It’s such a warm, lovely day, I thought you might like to explore outside for a while.” Blake nodded toward the manor. “And it will give the servants time to get the house to rights.”

Clarissa wiggled and squirmed her way out of Blake’s arms the moment they stepped outside into the sunshine, and Blake immediately sought out Daffodil’s hand.

They let Clarissa lead the way across the lawn as Daffodil took in the sprawling and lush garden to her left. But to her right, where Clarissa was heading…

“What’s this?” she asked. “A greenhouse?”

“Of sorts.” Blake sounded so pleased with himself, and Daffodil recognized that tone.

She laughed as she glanced up at him. “Don’t tell me. More surprises?”

He squeezed her hand in answer. “I hope you’ll like it.”

She sighed, feigning exasperation. He’d be the first to admit that he’d gone overboard showering her with gifts these past two months.

“I had this made for Clarissa after her mother passed. A sort of sanctuary for us both. But we’ve made some new additions to it this past month, and I…I think you’ll like it. Or, I hope you’ll like it…”

Clarissa rushed back before he could finish and snagged Daffodil’s free hand. Soon all three of them were laughing and running as the little girl dragged them along toward what looked to be a greenhouse.

Once inside, Daffodil’s breath caught on the hot, misty air. She blinked rapidly as her eyes took in the splendid array of bright, tropical colors. But the gorgeous flowers were quickly forgotten as her lips parted and her eyes grew wide…

“Like it?” Blake’s smug tone said he already knew she did.

She lifted a shaky hand, her wish that day at the maypole coming back to her with a clarity that left her winded. “Is that…a-are those…”

“Butterflies!” Clarissa shouted happily, dropping Daffodil’s hand to run off and chase the pretty creatures that dipped and flitted over the hothouse flowers.

“Butterflies,” Daffodil echoed, her tone dazed with disbelief. “You got me…butterflies.”

Blake’s arms wrapped around her waist, and he dipped his head to rest on her shoulder. “Like it?”

“How did you know?” she whispered.

“What do you mean?”

He couldn’t know, of course. She’d never told anyone about her silly wish at the maypole to be like a butterfly. And now here she was—her life transformed into something beautiful and glorious.

Clarissa ran back to her. “Mama, don’t cry.”

Blake dropped his arms and shifted so he could see her face, his expression alarmed.

Before either he or Clarissa could ask any questions, she swiped at the joyful tears and beamed at her new family. “It’s wonderful,” she said. “You’ve made me so happy. Both of you.”

“Why did you cry?” Clarissa asked.

Daffodil shook her head with a laugh as Blake wrapped an arm around her, holding her close to his side. “It’s silly, really. But, you see, a few months ago, before I met your father, I made a wish…”

Clarissa lit up. “Did your wish come true?”

Daffodil smiled up at Blake. “It did. I got everything I wanted…and so much more.”

Clarissa grinned, bouncing on her toes. “I want to make a wish, too!”

Blake leaned down slightly. “And what would you wish for, love?”

Clarissa didn’t hesitate. “A brother or sister.”

A butterfly darted past and Clarissa ran off again with a happy squeal, leaving her parents to their admittedly foolish grins.

Blake leaned down and nuzzled her ear, making her shiver as she pressed closer into his arms. “Well, my love? What do you think?”

“Hmm…” Daffodil pretended to think it over as Blake trailed kisses over her cheeks and nose. “I think…Clarissa and I have the same wish.”

Blake pulled back to gaze down at her, his eyes warm with love and desire. “Well, perhaps if all three of us make the same one…”

Daffodil giggled, going up on tiptoe to meet him halfway. “Our wish is bound to come true,” she whispered against his lips.

His answer was to kiss her softly and slowly…and with all the love that was in his heart.