“I’m worried about what she will say to you,” Daisy admitted.
Amelia smiled. “You’re so sweet.”
“I think I see her,” her brother said. They all turned, and Daisy held her breath. There by the farthest end of the pond stood Lady Claystone with her maid.
“Let’s not keep her waiting,” Amelia said.
Sweat trickled down Daisy’s back at the same time a chill swept through her body as they approached the countess. Daisy wished her ladyship hadn’t brought her maid. Lady Claystone could be exceptionally cruel when she had an audience of any sort.
Her white hair was twisted back into her extravagant bonnet. Her pinched face was made more austere by her red-painted lips. In the shade of her bonnet, her brown eyes were so dark they appeared black. She had a long, lean figure and had dressed herself in a white dress with thin vertical black stripes that made her look taller and more intimidating.
“Mr. Blakewood, it’s a pleasure to see you again. It has been some time. I was... intrigued to hear of your swift wedding.” Her frigid stare gave the statement a meaning far beyond the words she uttered.
“Lady Claystone, I present my wife, Lady Amelia,” her brother replied, unmoved by the rankled disappointment coming off Lady Claystone in waves.
Daisy tucked her hands behind her back. She was not wearing gloves. Lady Claystone never left her home without gloves and expected the same of Daisy as her protégé.
Amelia smiled. “Good afternoon, my lady. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’m surprised we’ve never met before.”
Daisy held her breath as she watched the silent appraisal Lady Claystone made of Amelia, who also did not wear glovesand was committing the sin of wearing the wicked color of yellow.
“I only circulate in certain circles of the peerage. Felicitations on your marriage, my lady.”
“Thank you,” Amelia replied.
Amelia was the antithesis of a woman like the countess. She smiled with genuine affection and laughed freely. Whereas being in Lady Claystone presence was like standing under the glare of a vulture.
“And your brother? You don’t appear to be in mourning. One must then assume the news of his demise is fiction.”
“He was injured in a riding accident and is now recovering well,” Amelia replied.
“Splendid, I will pray for him.” Lady Claystone held her smile wide, until it resembled more of a snarl. Then she turned her soulless eyes to Daisy. For a woman of such devout faith, she still exuded sinister wrath in a single glance.
“Miss Blakewood, I was troubled to receive your letter. A most unfortunate series of events has occurred. I informed Cliffton of everything immediately and insisted he abandon his work in Winchester and return to London at once.”
Cliffton had been in Winchester? That was only a day’s ride from Weybridge. Had he been that close and not bothered to see her? It hurt, to be so... disregarded. Even if the thought of seeing him made her nauseated. It was the principle.
Lady Claystone continued. “You must imagine my surprise at learning you were residing with your brother in the house of the Earl of Alston.” she said. The chill in her words froze Daisy where she stood.
“An ‘unfortunate series of events’ is not the phrase I would use for the heartless action of forcing a young lady to make her way home alone and unprotected,” Amelia said as her dazzlingsmile faded and her eyes hardened. “Blakewood and I were all too happy to take her in until her parents return.”
“Her wellbeing was not properly tended to,” her brother added.
Lady Claystone blinked as her freezing gaze fixed on Graham. “I was not made aware of that. Mrs. Miranda said you were with her most trusted lady’s maid and I trust her word.” Lady Claystone swung her attention back to Daisy and Daisy did not flinch. If Amelia could withstand her, then so could Daisy. “Such conflicting stories. I will have to address the matter thoroughly and confer with your mother. What will she think of all this?” Lady Claystone said.
“I’m certain she will agree that I am being well cared for by my brother and his wife.”
She raised a brow. “In a house with and unwed lord.”
“Yes, my brother, the Earl of Alston, now part of Daisy’s extended family,” Amelia said pointedly.
“I suppose that is true.” Lady Claystone cocked her head. “But given the circumstances,”—she flicked a glance toward Amelia and Graham—“as a dear friend of your mother, I think it would be better for you to come stay with me. Your reputation could be salvaged by my show of support.”
Daisy’s stomach knotted. She’d rather swim in the Thames than stay with Lady Claystone. And Daisy didn’t need to read Lady Claystone’s mind to know she thought Amelia had married down by marrying her brother. She had always thought the same of Daisy’s mother even though they were friends.A girl must always travel upward, she’d preach. Which was why Daisy was supposed to feel so positively honored to marry her absentee son. A future earl.
“As Daisy’s only blood relation in London, she will stay with me,” her brother said. “I won’t entrust my sister’s reputation and welfare again to strangers who treated her so callously.”
Daisy wanted to wilt with relief, but Lady Claystone stiffened, glaring at her brother like he was beneath her.
