Merry smiled and did a quick bob before excusing herself.
Daisy leaned back in the chair and smiled at the ceiling. All her worries were melting away.
She wondered again if she should she visit Lord Alston. His chambers were not an appropriate place for her to visit, but he was injured and confined to his bed. He must be lonelyand bored, as he said in his letter. He remembered that she did needlework, but she was sure that doing needlework by his bedside would only bore him further. She could read to him, though. She loved reading more than anything in the world. Daisy decided to write back to him and ask what sort of books he preferred.
Daisy moved to the writing desk near the window and searched for some paper, an ink bottle, and a quill. She sat down at the writing desk and started her letter. She wasn’t sure what to say to a man like Lord Alston. She hardly knew him, and there was nothing similar about them. They may as well be from two different countries. She did remember how he had towered over her. However, everyone was tall compared to her. She’d inherited her grandmother’s red hair and small frame, while both her parents and brother were taller than the average. From what she remembered of Lord Alston, he was fair and blue-eyed like his sister—they were twins, after all.
Dear Lord Alston,
Thank you for your kind welcome. I am delighted to have some time with my brother and become better acquainted with you and Lady Amelia. I am sorry about your accident and relieved to hear you are recovering well. I fear my hands are weary from needlework, but I do love to read. If you would like, I could read to you. Do you have any favorite authors? I’m afraid I’m not very entertaining. You see—
Daisy halted her pen. She had been about to go on and write about Cliffton and his awful mother. She’d written to Cliffton repeatedly, but, though he had never replied even once, Lady Claystone wrote to Daisy frequently. She kept Daisy aware of Cliffton’s whereabouts and activities, claiming he was incrediblybusy. Too busy to write or visit. But soon they would marry. How soon remained a mystery. Daisy had been toldsoonfor two depressing years.
Daisy shook her head. She didn’t want to think about her betrothal anymore. Not when it only made her feel inadequate. For just a little while, while not under Lady Claystone’s thumb, she could beherselfhere. She scratched out her last couple words and began a new thought.
I’ve been traveling for quite some time. I dread sitting in carriages for long travel. To tell you the truth, I’m glad I was ousted from Mrs. Miranda’s traveling party, even though her lady’s maid took all the money I had and then abandoned me. The ride to London was the most gratifying experience I’ve ever enjoyed. Though it was uncomfortable and frightening, I had never imagined I could do something like that, silly as it seems. People do it every day, even women. I wasn’t the only woman on that carriage. And yet I feel as though I have proved something to myself, something I hadn’t realized I needed proof for. I’m sure that sounds odd to you.
My brother has spoken of your many unique accomplishments and now you’ve also been deemed a medical miracle. How fortunate you are.
Regards,
Daisy Blakewood.
Daisy rang for Merry to deliver her message, and the maid came promptly. Daisy’s stomach was in knots now that she’d sent the note. What if he found it boring? Childish?
Daisy pressed a hand to her forehead as wooziness came over her. She climbed into the bed and burrowed under the heavy coverlet. Daisy didn’t remember when she fell asleep, but shewas woken by a pounding in her head. She pushed back the blanket and sat up, the internal pounding seeming to shift to a noise coming from her door.
Daisy cleared her scratchy throat. “Come in.”
Lady Amelia came in, smiling, but when she spotted Daisy on the bed her smile fell. “You’ve taken ill.”
Daisy rubbed her eyes. “I’m only tired. I did not sleep well in the carriage.”
Merry followed Lady Amelia in with a super tray.
“Merry, fetch Miss Smith.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Daisy couldn’t help but notice Lady Amelia hadn’t moved any closer. “What will happen if I am sick? Will I have to be sent away?”
Lady Amelia frowned. “Heavens, no. But I will ask you to remain in here. I don’t want my brother to get sick while his constitution is so weakened. I’ll have the fire built up. Are you chilled?”
“No, but my head is aching.”
“A headache powder and tea will fix that. You may be right, and you could wake tomorrow feeling well, but just in case...”
“I am happy to stay in this room,” Daisy assured her. “I’m perfectly comfortable. The last thing I would ever wish to do is cause your brother more harm.”
Lady Amelia smiled and drifted closer. “You’re so sweet.”
Daisy sat up straighter. “I don’t like to be a burden to others.”
“I don’t think that is possible. Your brother has nothing but praise for you. My brother, I’m certain, wished to send me to a nunnery, or Bedlam, at many points in our youth.”
Miss Smith entered with Merry. “I was summoned?”
The dark-haired woman was beautiful and young, not at all what Daisy would have expected from a nurse.
