Daisy had never imagined her stoic brother uttering such a word. As she studied him she realized he’d changed. He had come to dinner the night before they’d all parted ways or their respective travels. The man he was then was not the man who sat next to her now. He had a softness to his face and lightness in his eyes. He looked... happy. Is that what love did? Her heart swelled for him.
He cocked his head as he smiled at her and gave her shoulder and affectionate squeeze.
“I’m glad you’re here. And you and Amelia can become reacquainted, no matter how the circumstances came to be.”
Daisy smiled. “I’m glad too. I already feel more comfortable.” Though she was still tired. She wanted to lay down. And comfortable or not, a headache was forming behind her eyes and her neck ached.
“Come, I’ll introduce you to Mrs. Keen and we’ll get you settled.”
“Thank you, Graham. You were always my hero.”
He stood and cleared his throat, blinking rapidly. “It’s what big brothers do.”
After meeting Mrs. Keen and being shown to her new room, Daisy settled into the warm bath that was waiting for her and took the headache powder Mrs. Keen had offered. Now she was tucked into the soft bed, the gauzy white curtains pulled over the windows to soften the late morning light. The room was painted in a lovely shade of lavender that soothed her eyes, and the furniture was white and delicately engraved with crawlingvines. The bed was plush with a thick, knitted blanket and down pillows. She felt like she was lying on a fluffy cloud. The fire was built up to a lovely cozy warmth, and soon Daisy had to admit defeat and allow her gritty eyes to close.
She still couldn’t believe she’d traveled all by herself to London. She’d never done anything so scary. Before now, she’d always had a parent or chaperone to see to her safety and needs, but she was proud of herself. Daisy hadn’t succumbed to hysterics. Instead, she’d kept her wits about her and made it safely to her brother. Only time would tell what happened next. Until then, she was safe, warm, and tomorrow’s troubles could wait.
Chapter Five
Sam opened oneeye when he heard a light knock on his door. Petrov was downstairs, and when no one answered, Amelia poked her head in.
“What is it?” he asked sleepily, he rubbed at his bare chest, his fingers touching the rippled scar and jerked his hand away. He tugged the sheet up to his chin as Amelia approached the bed.
“Graham’s sister is here.”
Daisy? With the red plaits and freckles covering her nose? His mind was foggy, but he remembered her. She was sweet, cheerful, and far tamer than his own sister.
“She’s supposed to be traveling with friends, but she’s been exiled due to the rumors circulating about her brother’s marriage.”
“Rumors? What rumors?” Sam asked. She’d mentioned this yesterday, but he hadn’t had the energy to ask for specifics.
“Oh, you know, whispers about our illicit marriage, the babe I’m carrying, and how Blakewood married me to give me the protection of his name.”
“I beg your pardon?” Sam said between clenched teeth. He tried to push himself up.
Amelia hurried over and stuffed a pillow behind his shoulders. “Oh, and you might be dead in the eyes of society,” she said with a wincing smile. “Nelson gave a very moving interview to some scandal rag about your heart wrenching last moments.”
“Thatbloody blackguard.”
“Indeed.”
“Who would believe such absurdity?”
“Even if no one truly believes it, we’ve become quite the sensation and not in the best of ways.”
Sam sighed heavily, his rib burning. “Bloody hell. Your reputation is ruined.”
“It’s not like I’m a debutante, desperate to marry but my chances are ruined. It will blow over... eventually.”
“We can prove I’m alive.”
“Blakewood had your solicitor send threatening letters to the papers, but the fires of gossip still rage, according to my last message from Lady Cecily. She at least, is still speaking to me.”
He sighed. His chest wanted to cave in from the weight of his guilt. “I’m sorry, Amelia.”
She sat on the edge of the bed by his feet. “You’ve nothing to be sorry for. You’re alive. That is all that matters.”
He dragged a hand over his face, fighting to stay focused. “You said Miss Blakewood was turned out because of it?”
