For my...her mouth went dry. An older man scowled at her from inside.
“Are ye coming or not?”
Daisy climbed into the coach, the tight space and stale air making her dizzy. She hunched over as she moved toward an open space between two women. One had a small boy beside her. Daisy smiled to each of them, but she could not speak. Her heart raced as she knit her fingers together and tried to calm down. She would be fine. She was an intelligent young woman, nowwith nothing of value to steal, and soon she would be in London with her brother. Everything would be fine. She chanted this to herself inside her head. Just fine.
Most of thenight had passed in a blur of agonizing, jostling, disjointed dreams, long stretches of yawning and staring at sleeping passengers while avoiding the stares of some men who were awake all night. But as dawn lit the sky, the coach pulled up to The George in London and Daisy almost cried with relief.
Daisy sat up slowly. Her neck ached as she smiled at the woman beside her. Mrs. Peppers was sweet, if a little loud when she snored. Most of the patrons of the mail coach were not inclined to talk, but Mrs. Peppers had taken one look at Daisy and assured her she’d be all right. Not comfortable, but safe.
“Where do you go from here?” Mrs. Peppers asked her now.
“I will walk to Marlybone where my brother is staying.”
“Heavens, that isn’t close. A young lady should not walk unescorted.”
“It isn’t?” Daisy’s hopes fell. She had no coin. She couldn’t hire a hack or even buy herself some food. At that moment her stomach rumbled.
Mrs. Peppers opened her reticule and took out some coins. “Here, take this—”
“Oh, no. I couldn’t impose on you further.”
Mrs. Peppers smiled brightly. “It’s no imposition. In fact, I should escort you there myself or I will worry about you.”
Daisy’s eyes stung as she smiled. “Thank you for worrying about me,” Daisy said. Mrs. Miranda, the woman charged as her chaperone, hadn’t worried at all when she’d sent Daisy away. “My brother will see you are repaid for your kindness.”
As a steady drizzle began to fall, Mrs. Peppers found a driver willing to take them to Marylebone. Daisy didn’t know what her brother would do when she arrived at Lord Alston’s house, but she had no other place to go.
Chapter Four
When Daisy andMrs. Peppers arrived, Lord Alston’s butler, Mr. Keen, took them to the drawing room to wait for her brother.
Lady Amelia arrived first, her beautiful blonde hir coiled on her head, her brow pinched in concern. Her lovely pale-blue gown matched her eyes and gave her a serene, angelic air. Daisy couldn’t imagine this woman committing any sort of misdeed. She hadn’t seen or spoken with Lady Amelia since the dinner Lord Alston and Lady Amelia had shared with her family two years ago. Daisy had only been seventeen at the time and rather awed with Lady Amelia’s confidence and elegance. Lord Alston was just as beautiful, in a masculine way. Daisy had been too shy to speak to him.
Her brother wasn’t at home, to Daisy’s dismay, but Lady Amelia took charge of the situation.
“He’s at a meeting, but Mrs. Peppers, I cannot thank you enough for seeing Miss Blakewood home. Do you have time for a cup of tea?”
“I’m delighted to see to the care of this young woman. Such a treasure she is. I wish I could stay, but I must get to my sister’s before the weather turns.”
Lady Amelia nodded in understanding. “I’ve had my housekeeper, Mrs. Keen, put together a basket to take home to your family.”
“How gracious of you, my lady.” Mrs. Peppers turned to Daisy and took her hands. “You’re a bit pale, my dear. I insist you rest after such a long ride. You’re safe now.”
Daisy nodded, her throat tightening. “Thank you.”
“Wait here, Miss Blakewood.” Lady Amelia said before showing Mrs. Peppers out. When she returned, Daisy grew nervous as Lady Amelia sat, followed by a maid with a pot of tea.
“I hope I’m not imposing,” Daisy said.
Lady Amelia shook her head. She seemed far less composed than before. “Of course not.”
“Will my brother return soon?”
“He should—” The front door opened and Lady Amelia went into the hall.
Daisy bit her lip. There was tension in the air she did not know how to read.
Her brother appeared in the doorway. His eyes widened at the sight of her. He hurried to her side and dropped to a knee.
