Tempting Miss Daisy: House of Devon Read online

  The girl’s bottom lip trembled. “I was playing with Snowy in the kitchen.”

  Snowy was the girl’s kitten. “The kitchen is not a good place to play with Snowy. It’s too busy and the door opens too—” Daisy stopped as Lily’s trembling lip turned into soft sobs. “Lily. What happened?”

  “She got out,” Lily said softly. “And she ran away and it’s started to snow and I can’t find her.”

  Daisy gave a soft sigh. Lectures could wait until the kitten had been found. She stood and grabbed her muff. “I’ll try and look but it will be difficult to find a kitten—”

  Lily rushed toward her, throwing her arms about her waist. “Thank you.”

  Daisy let out another sigh as she hugged Lily back. “Go to your lesson. I’ll see what I can do.”

  She followed Lily down the stairs and then grabbed her pelisse and muff. Snow swirled about the air as she stepped outside. How did one find a white cat in the snow?

  * * *

  Cole sat on the other side of the Duke of Devon’s desk as Mr. Price went over the many clauses within the contract. He wavered between complete boredom and overwhelming irritation. Daisy could not actually want this man. But then again, he’d made certain she understood he was unavailable. He’d told her about Reagan.

  His gut clenched. He wished he hadn’t.

  He’d pushed Daisy away and…the air whooshed from his lungs. He’d made the wrong choice.

  He clenched and unclenched his fingers as Price’s voice droned in the background. He should have chosen Daisy.

  Yes, he’d have to work harder to build up his fortune, but he’d get there. He’d already made great strides.

  But when he thought about what Daisy would add to his life—love, her heart, children—he knew which world he wanted. Which woman.

  “Now, if you’ll just sign here, my lord,” Price’s words penetrated through his fog.

  He blinked as he looked at the other man. “What?”

  Price smiled. “The contract. It’s time to sign.”

  He pushed the papers toward Cole. Scanning his eyes down the page, he pointed his finger at the third line down. “Not quite yet.”

  “How’s that?” Devon asked from across the desk. “Is there a problem?”

  He looked at the duke across the desk. Devon’s brows were raised in question.

  “Just one,” Cole tapped his finger. “I’ve changed my mind about which horse I wish to purchase.”

  Devon’s shoulders straightened. “I thought you wanted the black mare for your prospective bride.”

  “I do still want an animal for my prospective bride, but not the black mare. I’m thinking of the softer, gentler mare that would suit a softer woman.”

  Understanding lit the duke’s gaze as he reached for the papers. Pulling out his quill from the well of ink, he scratched out one name and then wrote in another. “This is a decision I fully support.”

  Mr. Price’s eyebrows drew together. “I’m not certain I understand.”

  Devon chuckled. “Well. For starters, we’re going to need your services yet again.”

  While Cole knew it wasn’t the most attractive quality, he had to confess that he was looking forward to the look on Price’s face when he heard that Cole was marrying Daisy. But good sense won out. “Before we’ve drawn up a marriage contract, I think I should ask the prospective bride and get permission from her brother-in-law.”

  “True,” Devon said, winking.

  Out the window, he saw a pretty blue bonnet passing slowly by the window. He stood, looking out as the woman stopped, bending down and then slowly continuing on in the swirling snow.

  He’d recognize Daisy anywhere and that was clearly her out in the snow.

  Devon stood too. “What is she doing out there in the snow?”

  “I don’t know,” Cole murmured but he was already heading for the door. “But I’ll find out. Continue on without me.”

  He made his way out the door and found a jacket and hat. Then he stepped out into the cold.

  The wind swirled about, cutting through his jacket and biting at his skin. He hunched forward, seeing her footprints in the fresh snow. They appeared to be following another set of tiny, nearly covered, cat prints.

  He hurried forward, seeing her up ahead, close to the river as it bent about the house. She was on her stomach, reaching over the bank.

  “Daisy,” he called, picking up speed.

  She looked back, waving to him. “Thank goodness you’re here.”

  The words nearly stopped him. They were simple enough. But they meant something. She had come to rely on him and he…he wanted to be the man that she needed in her life. “What’s happened?”

  “Lily’s lost her cat. Which I’ve found. But the little thing has climbed down the bank into a hollow and I can’t reach her. Not without getting wet.”

  He reached her side on the bank, noting that the river wasn’t frozen there, the water moved too fast. The bank was steep and as he lay down in the snow, next to her, he could see the hollow and the smallest tuft of white hair.

  Reaching his hand down, he tried to grab the cat, but she scooted further away, emitting a low hissing sound. “I’m not sure she wants to be rescued.”

  “Snowy,” Daisy called low and sweet. “Come on out, sweetheart. It’s too cold for you to spend the night.”

  Cole pushed further out onto the bank, trying to reach the cat a second time. This time, she swiped with her paw, ripping slits in his gloves. His jaw clenched as he took a deep breath through his nose. Daisy wasn’t likely to leave without the cat. She was so kind that way, but he didn’t like being here like this.

  “Ugh,” he grunted, retracting his hand. “How deep is this water?”

  She shook her head. “In the summer, only up to my knees. But now…” She scooted further out too, reaching for the cat. “That’s it, Snowy. I won’t hurt you. If you come with me you’ll be warm and safe and—oh!”

  She slipped on the snow, her body sliding toward the water.

  Cole caught her, grabbing about her waist but not before her entire arm splashed into the freezing cold water. He swore under his breath, keeping a firm grip on her pelisse.

  Snowy took that moment to scramble up the bank. With his free hand, Cole grabbed the cat by the scruff and then hauled Daisy up to standing, water running out of her sleeve and down her dress. “Oh dear,” she cried, shaking her hand.

  “Come on.” He lifted her into his arms. “There is a cottage just over there.”

  “The caretaker’s,” she gasped. “But he won’t be there on a day like today. He has a room in the house as well.”

  “That’s fine,” Cole answered, already sprinting toward the cottage. “If he’s worth his salt, he’s got a fire ready to light. We’ll get you warmer much faster than if we try to make it all the way back to the house. And as soon as you’re warm enough, I’ll fetch help.”

  “Are you certain?” she asked, shivering against him.

  He tightened his grip, fear for her making his feet fly through the snow. Snowy gave a howl of protest and he loosened his grip on the cat.

  He’d make certain she was warm and safe, and then he’d take advantage of the moment Snowy had provided to ask her a very important question.

  Chapter Eight

  Daisy had never, in her entire life, been so cold.

  She shook with it, curling into Cole, his heat the only thing keeping her from freezing into the snow like a statue.

  “I see wh-wh-why we’re going to the cabin. I’m so-so-so cold.”

  “I know, love. But I’ll have you warm in no time.”

  “Tha-thank you.”

  Reaching the cottage, Cole kicked open the door and stepped inside. Without the wind, it was already warmer and after setting her down, he lit the fire in the grate.

  Then he crossed back over to her. “I’m going to take off your wet clothing. You’ll never warm with it on.”

  She felt the color drain from he
r face. “I can’t allow you to do that.” She’d be ruined. And she’d left her job. Her reputation, thanks to her father, was already questionable. She’d have nothing left to offer a man.

  Cole stopped in front of her. “I don’t want you to get hypothermia.”

  She shook her head. “I’m already alone with you. If anyone discovers…”

  “Daisy,” Cole said as he reached for her hands pulling off her soaked glove. “Listen closely. Your reputation won’t matter a whit if you freeze to death.”

  “That’s a good point,” she said through her clenched teeth.

  “And, besides,” he smiled gently as he began tugging off her pelisse. “I already planned to ask for your hand so it’s a moot point.”

  She gasped as the outer layer of her clothes pulled free. “What?”

  “Daisy.” He began unbuttoning her high-collared dress then stripped the garment down her arm. “Will you marry me?”

  Was he asking to save her reputation? She appreciated the gesture so much, but he already had a woman and a future all planned. “But you’re marrying someone else.”

  He shook his head. “I’m not.”

  Though he’d removed the wet clothing, and she stood in front of him in her chemise and corset, her arm tingled as the cold air smacked her skin.

  He stripped his own coat off and settled it about her shoulders, instant heat wrapping about her body even as he pulled her against his chest. “You told me so,” she said. “You just signed a contract to buy that mare.”

  “I purchased a mare today.”

  He leaned back and reached to grasp her chin. Then he leaned down and touched his lips to hers. They were soft and achingly gentle, but heat flushed through her torso, stretching out to each of her limbs. She drew in his scent, fresh snow and pine with just a touch of spice. “Oh.”

  “But not the spirited black mare. She’d suit a woman who is hot-tempered and fiery. But my heart calls for a gentler lady. Kind and lovely, with a softness that fills the hollows in my heart.”

  She swallowed hard, wishing for everything and yet afraid of another disappointment. “You can’t mean me.” Her heart thundered in her chest as tears pricked in her eyes.

  “Why not?” He kissed her again and as his lips touched hers, hope bubbled through her veins.

  “My own father didn’t care about me. We were nearly sold like cattle for his debts. He—”

  “He was a slave to his addiction.” Cole squeezed her tighter. “So was my father. It’s why I planned to marry Reagan. Not because I loved her but because I wanted her dowry to replace the life my father carelessly lost.”

  “You didn’t love her?” She could barely breathe as excitement raced along her skin. He understood what had happened with her father and he didn’t even hold it against her.

  “No,” he answered, then giving her a longer, fuller kiss that made her mind empty of any thought. “I never loved her.”

  She blinked. “And me? Do you…”

  He grinned again and kissed her a third time, slanting her lips open and touching his tongue to hers. It was like lightning in her body, the way she lit up inside at the touch. When he pulled back, she could hardly speak. But he didn’t seem to care.

  “I love you,” he said.

  “I love you too.” The words tumbled from her lips.

  “Does that mean you’ll say yes to my proposal?”

  She feathered her fingers over his face, stopping short of his mouth, her heart near to bursting. “Yes.”

  * * *

  First relief and then joy spread through Cole’s body, making his limbs weak.

  He kissed Daisy again, longer and slower, wanting to cherish this moment. He held her hand in his, the fire already heating the room and he was pleased to feel that her fingers were warming, no longer ice cold.

  “We’re really going to marry?” she murmured against his lips.

  He’d heard her comments about not being good enough…about her father. He knew the feeling. It was the one he’d fought his entire adult life. They understood each other in ways that he’d never dreamed another person would. “We are going to marry. Soon.”

  She smiled at that. “How soon?”

  He squeezed her hands in his. “Very soon. Devon is already having the contracts drawn up. I’d imagined that Price was not happy to learn you’d be marrying me.”

  She gave a little gasp. “And Rex?”

  Cole chuckled. “I haven’t asked him yet, but as soon as he sees which horse I purchased, he’ll know.”

  Her smile radiated with joy, lighting up her beautiful, blue eyes. “We’re really going to marry. Start a family. Build a life.”

  He grimaced at that. “Daisy, I must warn you. I have what I need but not much extra. My own father—”

  “Hush,” she said softly, stepping closer. This time, she stood on tiptoe and placed her lips on his. “For a long time, I wasn’t even certain I’d marry. I don’t care if we live in a one-room cabin, so long as we’re together.”

  He laughed, the sheer joy filling his lungs. “I don’t think it will come to that. I’ve a nice enough home, even if the furnishings are a bit sparse.”

  She shook her head. “Everything I own fits into a trunk. Furnishings sound delightful.”

  Relief made his head drop lower. His life would be simpler with Daisy as his wife and that felt…wonderful.

  A joy he hadn’t understood he’d experience washed over him. He’d have love, peace, contentment. Why hadn’t he realized that was what his life had been missing all along?

  He kissed her again, their lips lingering, their hands still clasped together.

  And then he reached about her waist, pulling her closer into his heat. He needed her to be warm, comfortable in his embrace.

  She sighed against him, her breasts pushing up against his chest. His gut clenched, and a heaviness filled his manhood. Daisy was everything he’d ever wanted.

  Slowly, he stepped back, keeping her hands in his. She was so lovely, and he was tempted, but he needed to gain her brother-in-law’s permission before he took this any further.

  She squinted at him, her brows scrunching together.

  “Has your sister explained what happens between a man and a woman?”

  “Yes,” she said, a blush blooming on her cheeks.

  “Understand then, that I need Rex’s approval.”

  Her eyes widened in understanding. “Of course.”

  He threaded his fingers through hers. “As soon as you’re warm enough, I’ll go fetch extra clothing and a carriage to get you back home.”

  “I’m warm enough.”

  Part of him deflated in disappointment. But they had their entire life to be alone. With a nod, he slipped the coat off her shoulders and shrugged it back on. “I’ll be right back.”

  Chapter Nine

  Daisy sat with her sister. It had only been yesterday that she’d soaked her arm trying to rescue Snowy, but it felt like a lifetime. “What do you think they’re talking about?”

  Abigail laughed, a high tinkling sound.

  Cole had brought her back to the house as promised, and then he’d been locked away with Devon and Rex for the better part of yesterday afternoon and this morning.

  “For the hundredth time, they are discussing your match to Lord Hartwell.”

  “But what could be taking so long?” She twisted her hands together. “It doesn’t seem that complicated.”

  Three hours prior, Mr. Price had joined them. He’d walked by Daisy with barely a hello, looking rather irritable as he grumbled a greeting.

  Abigail shrugged, shifting in her chair, and wincing as she placed her hands on her stomach. “I don’t know. They’ve likely concocted some business plan to go with the match. Don’t ask me why, but men feel the need to mix business into everything.” Her sister’s head fell back, and her eyes half closed.

  “Do you think the babe is coming soon?” Daisy asked, placing a hand on her sister’s stomach.

&n
bsp; “Soon,” Abigail murmured. “I’ve grown so sleepy. And I never seem to be comfortable.”

  Daisy rubbed her sister’s arm as the door to the study finally opened.

  Mr. Price emerged first, and after nodding, continued on without another word.

  Rex came out second, giving his wife a gentle gaze as he settled next to her and began rubbing her other arm. “You look tired, love.”

  “I’ll be all right,” Abigail said, her hand sliding into Rex’s.

  But Daisy looked away from the happy couple as Cole came through the door. He stopped, reaching out to her. “Daisy.”

  She jumped from the chair, crossing the room. “Is everything all right?”

  Slipping his hand into hers, he threaded their fingers together. “Everything is wonderful. Come. Let’s take a walk and I shall tell you all about it.”

  No one objected as they slipped away, and Daisy realized that the news must be good. They’d not be allowed alone otherwise. Excitement began to bubble inside her as Cole led her out of the house and toward the barn. It was bitterly cold outside, but he wrapped an arm about her until they entered into the dark, warm recesses of the stable.

  It was quiet, Rex still remained in the house and no grooms were about. It was too cold to do much with the horses. The grooms had likely finished their duties and retreated to the house. The quiet filled the large space, adding an air of intimacy, as the fresh scent of hay filled the space.

  Cole pulled her tighter against his side. “We’re to be married on Christmastide.”

  A lightness filled her as she wrapped her arms about his neck. “Oh, that is wonderful news.”

  He placed his hands on her waist and swung her around. Then, capturing her lips with his, he lightly set her back on her feet. “And…” He kissed her again, as if punctuating his point. “The duke is going to ship all of my crop this year.”

  Her eyebrows lifted. “Is that good?”

  “It’s very good.” He laughed as he kissed her again and again. “We’ll likely be able to buy some more furniture.”