Page 37 of Love and the Shameless Lady

Chapter 6

“Impossible!” an imperious female voice cried. “I know of Sir Julian. His family is eminently respectable. He would never stoop to marry a scandalous woman.”

Julian strolled into the drawing room with Daisy clinging stiffly to his arm. There were three ladies in the room, all of whom rose in a hurry.

“It must be an imposter,” the same woman was saying. He had no trouble recognizing his accuser, the same auburn-haired lady he’d seen at a few meetings of a London philosophical society. A stricken look widened her eyes, and she covered her mouth with her hands. The other two, clearly a mother and daughter, bounced embarrassed glances about the room—at him, at Daisy, at each other, at their hostess, at Daisy again.

Daisy’s hand trembled on his arm. “The one who spoke is Gloriana,” she said unnecessarily.

Gloriana took a deep breath, visibly composing herself. She pursed her lips, narrowed her eyes, and glowered down her nose at them.

“I assure you, ma’am, that I am indeed Julian Kerr,” he drawled.

“Yes, of course he is,” Lady Garrison said. “I’ve known him for years.”

Gloriana unpursed her lips long enough to say, “You should be ashamed of yourself, sir.”

“And you, Miss Warren, should properly acquaint yourself with the circumstances before passing judgment,” Julian retorted.

Gloriana’s eyes flashed. “I am well aware of the circumstances. Daisy does not deserve to be rescued, and so you will learn to your everlasting regret.”

Daisy’s fingers dug into his sleeve. “He didn’t rescue me.”

“On the contrary, she rescued me from the tedious life of a bachelor,” Julian said.

“You fell in love with one another, and it’s wonderful,” Melinda Garrison interposed. “Love always is.” With commendable aplomb, she proceeded to introduce the other two ladies as the wife and daughter of the local squire. Mrs. Henderson curtsied stiffly and gazed at a spot past Julian’s shoulder, while Miss Henderson tried unsuccessfully not to stare at Daisy.

Julian had the feeling Daisy would remain stock still if he didn’t prompt her, so he guided her to a sofa with a hand at the small of her back. She was quivering. He sat next to her and took her hand. She flinched, as she’d done earlier in the coach. Did she have an aversion to touch? He hesitated, unsure whether to let go, but didn’t. Gradually the quivering subsided.

Good.

“It’s so delightfully romantic,” Melinda said with a brilliant smile, “that my dear cousin and one of my oldest friends are to marry.”

“Romantic indeed,” Julian said, smiling gratefully in return. He’d liked Melinda very much when she was Miss Starling and a popular young lady on the marriage market. She came from a starched-up family ruled by an old harridan of a dowager, but she’d always been friendly and kindhearted. Marriage didn’t seem to have changed her. “I’m ecstatic that I’ve finally found a woman I adore.”

Daisy withdrew her hand from his. A mulish crease appeared between her brows. If she would only remain calm and quiet, he would take care of everything.

“Tell us all about it,” Melinda said. “How did you meet?”

“Entirely by chance.” Best to say as little as possible. “At an inn.”

“The Diving Duck,” Daisy said, a belligerent note in her voice. She cast a scornful glance at Gloriana. “I live there.”

Damn the woman. Why must she stir things up?

“You reside at an inn, Miss Warren?” Mrs. Henderson demanded.

“I do indeed. It’s more of a tavern, actually, frequented by smugglers.”

Oh, hell.

Gloriana paled, Mrs. Henderson reddened, and her daughter’s mouth popped open.

Daisy had warned that she might not be meek and submissive, but this was deliberate provocation. Julian controlled his annoyance and eyed Daisy, who frowned meaningfully back. Did she think she was paving his way to escape the marital net?

Impossible woman, undermining the plan when they’d scarcely begun. He smiled at her—adoringly, he hoped—and summoned the air of a rapturous lover. “I was visiting a scholarly friend, Mr. Bennett, who took me to the Diving Duck for a tankard or two of their excellent ale.” He clapped a hand to his breast. “One look at Daisy, and I was lost!”

Miss Henderson giggled. Her mother’s flush had faded, but Gloriana looked as if she might throw up.