“There you are. Your parents have responded at last. Here.” Amelia held out a letter.
Daisy eagerly broke the seal and read her mother’s elegant writing. They could not return immediately, her mother wrote, due to her father’s sprained knee and agreed Daisy could stay with her brother until they returned. Daisy’s heart floated with relief.
“Good news, I hope?” Amelia asked.
“My father sprained his knee again, so they can’t return immediately. To ride or sit in a carriage is too painful until the swelling goes down. It’s becoming a common issue for him.”
“Oh dear, that sounds awful.”
Daisy nodded but then smiled. “But it means I don’t have to leave yet.”
Amelia smiled back. “Are you ready to meet my brother?”
“We’ve met,” Daisy said before she could catch herself. “Two years ago.”
“Well, you can meet him again. He might not be quite as you remember. The accident has altered him more than just physically.”
Hehadchanged since their last meeting two years ago. He was so much more than what she remembered. Daisy stood,willing her heart to stop its racing rhythm. Amelia linked her arm with Daisy’s, and they collected her brother from the hall and went downstairs. Daisy stood back as Amelia knocked on Alston’s door and then entered the room first, greeting her brother cheerfully. Blakewood waved her in.
“Don’t be nervous,” he whispered.
“I’m not,” she lied. She was nervous. This was all a performance, and she suddenly realized she was not an actress. Her heart was pounding. She’d have to pretend this was their first meeting after two years, and she had no idea how to behave. She walked in ahead of her brother.
“Miss Blakewood, what a pleasure to see you again.”
His eyes seemed to watch her with a glow, like he was anticipating her words, knowing he’d enjoy whatever she said. It made her whole body warm when he looked at her.
“Good day, Lord Alston. I’m happy to see you are recovering well.” Daisy didn’t think she had enough inflection in her tone to be convincing, but no one seemed to notice how Sam was smiling at her, his gaze locked to hers.
“Please, call me Alston. We’re family now.”
Amelia and Blakewood talked animatedly as they took their chairs at the table that had been moved closer to Alston’s bedside so they could eat together.
This was dangerous, Daisy thought. She was betrothed, contractually bound to Cliffton, and behaving exactly the way she’d been forbidden to. Was this why Lady Claystone had always kept a careful eye on Daisy’s social calendar, staying by her side, limiting her acquaintances to only those deemed acceptable? Had Lady Claystone guessed that Daisy would be so susceptible to a man’s charms?
But they weren’t doing anything wrong, Daisy reminded herself. As long as her thoughts about his stunning looks, or the way his hair caught the golden light, or the way hisvoice deepened and made her tingle in low places remained steadfastly inside her head, their friendship was safe. Besides, why shouldn’t she have this friendship, or whatever it was?
She was already chained to someone who didn’t care to talk to her, laugh with her, or teach her card games. No man had ever made her feel this way, held her attention so effortlessly, like Alston did. Especially not Cliffton. No one would know but her about this secret infatuation. Alston was safe. Not only because he was bedridden, for now, but because he was her brother’s friend and Amelia’s brother. She didn’t have to worry about him speaking to the wrong person and her behavior being reported back to the countess.
This was an opportune moment she couldn’t miss by being afraid. She was tired of the loneliness that came with being a woman engaged to an apathetic fiancé.
A footman carried in a large tray of food. Plates of roast beef sandwiches, cheese, berries, and bread pudding were set on the table.
“My appetite is growing,” Alston stated.
“Here, let me.” Daisy served him a bit of everything.
“Cheese, the food of the gods,” Alston said. Daisy giggled and then turned to see her brother and Amelia watching her.
“Am I missing a party?”
All four of them turned to look toward the door where a man with black hair and bright blue eyes sauntered in.
“This is a family affair,” Amelia said shortly.
Daisy bit her lip, surprised by her hostility. This must be the man Merry had spoken of—not the doctor, but the business associate. Mr. Chase from the Lyon’s Den. But given the tension in the room, this man was not welcome, and she didn’t understand why.
“Is it? I think I’m close enough. I did play a vital role in saving Lord Alston’s life. I’m here every day and I know more about each of you than you’d like me to.”
