“You are as annoying as Nelson,” Alston grumbled. “Always lurking where you’re not wanted.”
Mr. Chase frowned and put a hand over his heart. “I should call you out for that. I’ve met pigeons with more honor than your cousin.”
“Agreed.”
“Don’t insult the pigeons,” Amelia said.
“Miss Blakewood, a pleasure to meet you, at last.” Mr. Chase said to her.
Daisy tensed. How did he know her name?
“Proper introductions have not been made,” Amelia said.
Daisy set a fig on Alston’s plate, and when she glanced at him, he was scowling viciously at Mr. Chase.
Her brother cleared his throat, but it sounded more like a growl. “Might as well. It was inevitable, given his profession. Daisy, this is Mr. Chase. Mr. Chase, this is my sister, Miss Daisy Blakewood.”
“How do you do, Mr. Chase?” Daisy said softly, looking between Mr. Chase and her brother apprehensively.
“Very well, thank you, Miss Blakewood. But alas, I am here on business and cannot stay to enjoy your company. Miss Smith, does our patient fare well?”
Miss Smith looked up from where she was stitching something in a chair by the fire and nodded. “Still improving day by day, Mr. Chase.”
“But not yet out of bed?”
“In time.”
“Yes, in time. But not yet,” Alston said coldly.
Daisy hid her frown by looking down at her plate. She knew he was intent on keeping his exercise a secret, but there was a confusing undercurrent of tension here.
“Understood. I have errands to run, so I won’t tarry, but I’ll return later to fetch Miss Smith. Hopefully your mood will have improved by then.” He left without another word.
Daisy looked between them in confusion as they glowered at his retreating form.
“Why do we not like him?” Daisy asked.
Amelia shook her head and nodded toward Miss Smith.
Daisy’s confusion deepened. Now Miss Smith was also an unwelcome visitor?
“He’s a toad,” Alston said unabashedly. “Slimy warts and all.”
Chapter Fifteen
Sam cleared histhroat. “How about some cake? Miss Smith? Would you be so kind as to bring us some cake?”
“More cake? I already know you’ve been indulging,” Amelia warned, but with a teasing glint. “You don’t want to have to roll out of that bed, you know.”
Sam wagged his finger at her. “To deny me cake is to deny me life. I can’t satisfy my other cravings as easily now, can I? I can’t ask the cook to bake me a woman.”
Blakewood coughed and glared at Alston, tossing his head toward Daisy. The implication escaped her, but Daisy knew it must be something lascivious by her brother’s warning.
Alston winked at her. “There will be no innocent ears in this house. Where better to learn when a man is using innuendo to convey his interest? What better man to teach her than I?”
Her brother folded his arms. “She doesn’t need to learn anything from you.”
“There are any number of things I can teach her. Isn’t that correct, Amelia?”
