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Daisy took a deep breath. Her mind was whirling, and she could scarcely think. The conversation was moving so quickly that it felt out of her control. Guilt gnawed at her stomach. Miles didn’t want to marry her—he didn’t even like her—but now he had announced their marriage to Regina, of all people.

“If you, Lord Devin, had married Miss Wharton before the child was born, the situation might have been salvaged,” Regina said, a near-gleeful tone in her voice. “Your reputation, such as it is, will be ruined. My brother will be gravely disappointed in you. I shall write him at once.”

Miles’s eyes flared. “I don’t give a damn what you will or won’t do. I’m marrying Daisy, but my decision has nothing to do with you. If you would please return to your own domicile, Lady Regina, I intend to arrange for an immediate marriage.”

“My brother considers you his closest friend but even he will never forgive you.” She laughed shrilly. “I doubt that Lord Paget will wish for you to continue investigating the crimes of the aristocracy. The fox minding the henhouse!”

Horror went down Daisy’s spine. It was one thing to ruin her own reputation, although she couldn’t bear to think about her mother at the moment. But Miles’s as well? If it hadn’t been for the stupid impulse that sent her to his house begging for help, he wouldn’t be obligated to marry her.

“Regina, if you tell anyone about Belle, I shall describe precisely what happened when you accosted my cousin’s husband, Major FitzRoy, last year,” she blurted out.

Regina opened her mouth, but Daisy raised a finger. “Society has been allowed to think that you jilted Major FitzRoy, causing him to turn to my cousin Livie. That will no longer be the case. Frederick will confirm my account.”

For a moment she thought that Regina would be unable to contain herself, but then a mask of civility fell over her face, only her eyes showing her stark rage. “I fail to see how my silence will help your situation, but I shall certainly hold my tongue.”

“You will not only remain silent, but you will actively support our marriage,” Miles said. “In six months, society will be notified that one of my wife’s distant relatives recently died in India, orphaning a child.”

Regina looked as stunned as Daisy felt. “India?”

“Haven’t either of you noticed the preponderance of children who are supposedly orphaned and sent home from that country?”

Daisy shook her head.

“How distasteful,” Regina said.

“It’s the child’s only chance at a respectable future. When the time comes, she will debut with an extravagant dowry, supposedly the inheritance from her father’s work for the East India Trading Company. We will tactfully acknowledge that the child’sfather was illegitimate, which is why he doesn’t appear in Debrett’s, but she is the orphaned daughter of a wholesome marriage.”

“I had no idea you were so imaginative,” Daisy said, stunned.

“I am not imaginative,” Miles said. “I am merely well-acquainted with the sins of the aristocracy. We will marry tomorrow in the Duke of Lennox’s private chapel, which will allow Lady Regina to spread the news that we are desperately in love.”

“I will?” Regina asked.

The look on his face made her fall back a step. “I suppose I could do that.”

“I will send footmen out to invite a select few to the ceremony tomorrow,” Miles continued. “You, Lady Regina, will cheerfully attest to nurturing our romance. Your enthusiasm for our love story—and the fact we are marrying in your family’s chapel—will quell the pity you would otherwise receive.”

Peevishness was replaced by horror as Regina’s eyes rounded. “Pity?”

“As yet another prospective bridegroom turns away,” Miles said pointedly.

Regina’s eyelashes fluttered but she recovered quickly. “You certainly can’t do a wedding breakfast here, given your ancient butler, so I shall host the event following the ceremony.”

Daisy felt paralyzed. Her life had begun unraveling at the seams that morning, and now it was reshaping without her input. “That would be very kind of you, Regina,” she managed.

“Yes, it would,” Regina said petulantly. “After all, I had quite decided to marry you myself, Lord Devin.”

Miles groaned. “Must we—”

Regina cut him off. “If you wish to persuade society that your marriage is a case of love and not scandal, you should keep all polite observances. Lady Wharton’s feelings are quite likely disarranged, so I shall do this from the goodness of my heart.”

She flounced from the room without another word.

“Goodness of her heart my ass!” Miles snarled.

EPISODE ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR

IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE