Page 27 of Love and the Shameless Lady

She drew herself up. “You are crude and disgusting.”

He blew out a frustrated breath. “I beg your pardon.”

“I suppose you’re one of those men who believe women shouldn’t have carnal desires,” she said. “While at the same time they shouldn’t be boring bedmates.” He could have sworn she gnashed her teeth.

“Not at all. Everyone has carnal desires. I apologize.”

She sniffed at that, and he didn’t blame her.

“My heroes are strong, courageous, kind, and trustworthy,” she said. “And therefore completely imaginary.”

Daisy waited for him to cringe, or at least bristle at the insult, seeing as he deemed himself so chivalrous and pure.

Instead, his mouth curled. “You haven’t met even one good man?”

“Yes, and that one is my brother Colin.” Actually, she thought well of her cousin Miles as well, and she’d loved her father dearly. “The driveway to Warren Hollow is just ahead. Kindly turn in at the gates.” At last they had arrived, and she could get rid of Sir Julian once and for all.

“I don’t know the details of your grievance against the male sex,” he said as they ascended the short drive, “but we’re not all bad, and definitely not imaginary. Behold me, in the living, breathing, chivalrous and nevertheless virile flesh.”

She closed her eyes for a long, unhappy second. She didn’t want to think about masculine flesh. It would be her undoing. Again.

“I don’t care how virile you are, and I’ve had enough of your chivalry. Follow the drive around the house. You may set me down at the stables.” He complied, and the instant the gig came to a halt, she clambered down and reached for her bags. “I’ll say goodbye to you now.”

“Not quite yet.” He took the bags and jumped down.

“One of the footmen will carry my belongings,” she said. “Leave them, please.”

“If you insist, but as I’m coming indoors . . .”

“Why?”

“To speak to your brother,” he said.

Unbelievable. “My brother isn’t here at the moment.”

Julian’s expression said he didn’t believe her. “Then I shall wait.”

Young Harry and Bussey, the head groom, had so far merely gawked at the well-dressed stranger with whom she’d arrived, but this comment made them grin. Colin wouldn’t return for a fortnight.

She preferred not to explain this to Sir Julian in front of the curious servants. “Oh, very well, come indoors. I suppose I should offer you refreshment.” She took him through the herb garden to the kitchen door. “We’ll see if Cook has made some of her rock buns, which are far better than anything Sally and I have achieved so far.”

“Why don’t you use her recipe?”

“It’s a secret. She won’t give it to me, nor will she let me watch her make them.”

The kitchen door stood open to the summer’s morning. Daisy led him inside and addressed the only occupant of the kitchen, a scullery maid. “Good morning, Ellie. Is Cook about somewhere?”

The scullery maid shook the soapy water from her hands and bobbed a curtsey. “Morning, Miss Daisy. Cook ain’t here. The master gave her leave of absence.”

“Oh, dear. Stuck with Mrs. Kent’s cooking, are you?” Mrs. Kent was the housekeeper.

Ellie giggled. “Or mine.” She smiled shyly at Sir Julian and bobbed another curtsey. “Morning, sir.”

His obvious virility was a bloody nuisance. “There aren’t any rock buns about, by any chance?” Daisy asked. “Sir Julian would like to sample one.”

“Sorry, miss. No one makes them as good as Cook, so no one tries.”

Daisy turned to Sir Julian. “You’re out of luck, but we always have ale and small beer. Which would you prefer?”