Chapter Six
Daisy sipped hotchocolate from a cozy chair by the hearth in her elegant room. Lady Amelia had lent her a thick robe that consumed Daisy’s short frame but covered her from neck to toe in soft warmth. Daisy wiped her nose with a handkerchief, worrying she’d caught an ailment from being squished into a carriage with strangers all night.
There was a knock on the door, and a maid entered, bearing a fresh cup of hot chocolate.
“Beg your pardon, miss. Mr. Blakewood instructed me to bring you another cup, and Mr. Petrov is here to deliver a message from his lordship.”
“Thank you.”
Her bother knew how she loved hot chocolate. Daisy would live on the beverage alone if she could. She set her cup aside and the valet approached, presenting the letter.
“You may send a reply at your convenience and Merry will deliver it,” he said.
“Thank you,” Daisy replied.
He bowed and left.
Daisy had spent most of her time for the last few years at their country home or traveling to the homes of her parents’friends. She hadn’t seen Lord Alston for two years, but she did remember he was a funny fellow, charming, and playful. And like an adonis made of marble. She shook her head. She was silly. She’d been seventeen then, but now she was nineteen and she’d changed significantly in those two years. Not in height—she was still shorter than most of her acquaintances—but her body had matured to that of a voluptuous woman, much to Lady Claystone’s dismay. Daisy couldn’t enjoy the current fashions when her bosom overflowed the tight narrow bodices. It was just another mark against Daisy in Lady Claystone’s ever-growing tally. It was a wonder her betrothal hadn’t ended already since Daisy was so... unfitting. Was that the cause of the delay? Or did Cliffton truly find her unattractive? Daisy wondered how Lord Alston remembered her. Would he still see her as that younger girl?
Daisy unfolded the letter and read. Her frown of dismay at his description of his injury had turned to a smile by the end.
No one had ever written or spoken to her so candidly. Like he could be a friend. Should she go see him right now? Perhaps not. His injury sounded dreadful and harrowing, and she was also coming down with something. She could feel it in the stuffiness in her head and weariness of her body.
“Lord Alston is quite amusing.”
Merry, who had stayed and busied herself after delivering the hot chocolate, nodded. “He is. He and his sister are the best employers I’ve ever had.”
“He mentioned two other gentlemen in residence,” Daisy said. “With dark hair?”
“Oh, I suppose he means Dr. Sloan. He’s an odd fellow. He talks like he’s smarter than everyone—which he is—and like he’s an impatient schoolteacher. He doesn’t smile, not even at Kitty. He’s immune to amusement and flirtation, to Kitty’s dismay.”
“Oh?” Daisy said curiously. “And the other? You didn’t give his name.”
Merry finished straightening Daisy’s clothing in the armoire. “He’s not a gentleman. I wouldn’t bother with him.”
“But he is here, correct? His lordship warned me that I might see him.”
“Mr. Chase is a business associate from the Lyon’s Den. He isn’t staying here, but he comes and goes frequently. He brings Miss Smith here in the morning.”
Daisy absorbed that information. A business associate? She supposed that was reasonable. Lord Alston still had duties to attend to even while injured.
“What is the Lyon’s Den?” Daisy asked.
“It’s a gaming club. Lord Alston is a master of cards. He always wins. Always. Unless he plays Lady Amelia.”
Daisy raised a brow at that and then asked, “Who is Miss Smith?”
“Lord Alston’s nurse.”
Daisy nodded though she was confused. Why would a gaming club send Lord Alston a nurse? Perhaps Lord Alston was a silent partner in the establishment? That could be it. Either way, it wasn’t her business.
Merry folded her hands and waited for more instruction.
“I’m content here by the fire if you have other things to do. Thank you, Merry.”
“’Tis my pleasure. Shall I return later with more chocolate?”
Daisy considered her full mug. “Absolutely.”
