How to Seduce a Bride

her, and them, laugh. She could only hope they’d keep laughing merrily and not in derision when they heard her whole story. Because she didn’t doubt they would. She’d lived most of her life in a small village and knew how news traveled.

The landlord brought out platters of cold ham and warm pasties; sliced beef and cooked eggs; loaves of bread; plates of toast, jams, and cakes. Ale flowed and toasts were made as Leland invited all to share his wedding breakfast. He and his bride were too busy talking to people to have any of it themselves.

They were chatting with a farmer and his wife when Leland looked up over the heads of the crowd, and his face lit with real pleasure.

“Daffy, you dog!” he exclaimed. “You’ve come, after all!”

Daffyd grinned broadly and came through the crowd to take his half brother’s hand. “I missed the ceremony because my horse threw a shoe, but I’d have walked the rest of the way if I’d had to. Meg couldn’t come, of course; she’s still awaiting our new arrival. But I couldn’t miss this, even if it means I can only congratulate you for an hour before I tear back home again. I represent the family,” he told Daisy. “Amyas is too far off for a brief visit. And we know you don’t want guests on your honeymoon. He and Christian wrote to say they’ll come with their families as soon as your honeymoon’s over. We all hope that will be never.”

He laughed and batted Leland’s shoulder. “Just joking. We’re all planning to see you later this summer even if you’re throwing dishes at each other by then.

“Daisy,” he said, turning to her, his expression showing he spoke with all sincerity, “my warmest greetings and best wishes. I don’t know what he said to convince you to marry him, but I’m glad of it and happy for the two of you. Ho, Geoff!” he called as he saw the earl coming toward them, “Want to come back home with me after the celebration? Meg and I would be honored if you were with us when your grandchild arrives.”

“You don’t need me underfoot,” the earl said. “I can’t now anyway. I’ve promises to keep. And you really don’t need anyone to help you pace. But I’ll come to see you soon.”

“As soon as you may, I hope you will,” Daffyd said, then craned his neck to survey the crowd. “Where’s our sainted mama?” he asked Leland.

Leland shrugged a shoulder. “Who knows? Not I.”

“She refused your invitation?” the earl asked, his eyes widening.

Daisy’s eyes widened, too. For the first time in her whole tumultuous journey to wedlock, she thought about her groom’s mother, and realized that the icy lady wasn’t there.

“No, she couldn’t attend,” Leland said. “Because she wasn’t, in the strictest sense of the word, invited.”

Daisy put her hand to her mouth and bit back whatever exclamation she’d have made. This was dreadful. Why had he married her if he’d known his mother would hate her?

“I sent her a note telling her of my intentions,” Leland went on lazily. “As she sent none back to ask for more details, I didn’t feel I had to provide them. Of course, I only sent the note yesterday. No matter. There’s time enough for her to welcome Daisy to the family.”

A silence fell over all three men.

Daisy swallowed hard, and said carefully, “So she didn’t avoid the wedding, so much as not know about it in time?”

“Precisely,” Leland said.

A look of comprehension dawned on his half brother’s face. “Well done,” he murmured.

“Masterful,” the earl agreed.

Daisy didn’t pretend she didn’t follow. “Oh, I see,” she said bleakly. “She couldn’t insult me by not coming if she didn’t know she could.”

“No,” Leland said. “Actually, my dear, it had little to do with you. Does that hurt your feelings? Don’t let it. Ever selfish, it was my feelings I was considering. She’ll see us in London at the earl’s party, and believe me, that will suit her better. She never took much interest in my affairs; I’d no reason to suspect she’d want to now.”

Daisy kept looking up into his eyes.

Leland touched her cheek. “Please don’t be offended. She won’t be, I promise you. She’ll only be chagrined at having missed a party. It’s all she ever cares about, anyway. So if we tell her it was only for the local gentry, she’ll be appeased.”

“She won’t be happy with me,” Daisy declared, her eyes still searching his.

“She wouldn’t be happy with any female I married,” Leland said gently. “She won’t like being displaced and made to look like the dowager. But don’t worry. She tends to ignore those things that distress her, and she’ll never interfere with our lives. We won’t be living at Haye Hall so we’ll scarcely ever see each other. Still, family is family. If my younger brother weren’t off on the Continent on his grand tour broadening his mind and doubtless pleasing his body even more, he’d have been here. I’d have seen to it.”

Daisy drew in her breath. She felt ashamed of herself. She’d forgotten all about his younger brother, whom she’d never met. Her only excuse was that Leland never mentioned him.

“We aren’t close, but we aren’t estranged either,” Leland explained, to show he understood her confusion. “We’ve just got little in common and less interest in finding what that little might be. Still, when he eventually does decide to return to England, you’ll meet him, I promise.”

“God!” Daffyd said, swatting his own forehead. “Martin! I’d forgotten all about him. Her youngest, got off your father. He was born years after me. I suppose he’s as related to me as you are, but I only met him once and haven’t thought of him since!”

“No more should you,” Leland said calmly. “He seldom thinks of us. We embarrass him, I think. But to be charitable, and disregarding our notoriety, it may just be that he’s at that stage of life when all his relatives do that. Likely he’ll outgrow that in a few more decades.”

They laughed, and the uncomfortable moment passed. Another came soon enough.

“Daisy? Rather, I suppose I should say, Lady Haye?” a soft voice asked.

Helena twisted a handkerchief in her hands. Another person she’d forgotten today, Daisy thought in chagrin. Helena had been indispensable, at Daisy’s side since she’d heard about the wedding, helping her prepare for it. But precisely because everything had been done so efficiently and naturally, Daisy had taken her help for granted. Now she finally noticed that her companion had also dressed for the occasion, and looked very well. Helena wore a simple but well-cut violet-colored gown to the ceremony, and her hair, though neatly pulled back, as ever, had been allowed to curl around her face. Daisy realized how good-looking Helena was when she allowed herself to be. Unfortunately, she also looked very distressed.

“This is awkward,” Helena said. “I ought to have brought it up before, but things happened so quickly… but the truth is that now you’re married, my lady, my job is done. So I’ll be leaving today. I just wondered, if you’re so inclined, could you write me a letter of recommendation, please? Oh, not now, I quite understand you haven’t the time. But if I leave you my direction, could you send on to me soon?”

“So inclined?” Daisy yelped. “Of course, I am, and will right this very minute, if you want, and if I can get some paper from the landlord. But there’s no need to hurry; you don’t have to rush off!”

“I rather think I do,” Helena said, smiling for the first time. “A bride doesn’t need any companion but her husband after her wedding.”

“My home has more bedchambers than is decent, or so everyone has always said,” Leland commented. “My lady is right; stay on with us until you find a new position.”

Helena shook her head. “Thank you, but no, my lord. I’ve engaged my old rooms in London again. But I thought I’d go north and visit my children for a spell first.” Her expression became wistful. “I always do, between positions. They look forward to it as much as I do. I need only take the stage from here tomorrow morning. There’s one due, I know; I’ve asked.”

“But you didn’t ask for your wages, and you didn’t remind me that they were due!” Daisy said. “That beats all! Please stay, I don’t want you riding off alone just yet.” She saw Helena’s unhappy expression. “Oh all right, you must as you wish, I suppose. But I wish you wouldn’t just leave like that.”

“Thank you, I knew you’d understand,” Helena said. “My job here is done. I never was companion to a married lady, you see, and a newly wed one will definitely not require my services. I go where I’m needed. So, I’ll leave you now and visit my children. I need to see them as often as I can. If it makes you feel better, I thank you for this unexpected opportunity. But I will write to you, and if you know anyone in need of a companion, I’d be happy to meet with them.”