Page 40 of Love and the Shameless Lady

Lady Garrison choked on a laugh. “Most young ladies enjoy these stories without taking them seriously. Very few would consider running away for a life of adventure. Not only that, the heroine of The Lady’s Revenge is well-behaved for a character who has such exciting experiences. She maintains her purity through thick and thin.”

“Only her thoughts are impure,” Daisy said. “I maintain that she is entitled to those, and the reason she doesn’t put them into action is because her mother brought her up to be well-informed rather than kept in prudish ignorance until her wedding day.”

“My mother was never a prude,” Lady Garrison said, “but unfortunately she was abroad when I needed her advice about such things. Still is, alas, and how I miss her. But I do run on, don’t I? Now, you must answer me, Daisy. How did you fall in love?”

Daisy sighed, but she was prepared now for Lady Garrison’s insistence. She cocked her head to one side. “I’m not sure whether I’m in love or merely content at the prospect of marriage.”

Lady Garrison pouted. “Oh! Sad stuff. You must do better than that. So far I prefer the story of a blinding vision in the ruins.”

“Content is perfectly fine,” Julian said. “Love will come later.”

“I can’t promise that,” Daisy said. “I do like you very much, Sir Julian.” This seemed to be the truth, but she didn’t let herself dwell on it. “After all, you’re handsome, well-respected, and—”

“Not too terribly odious,” Julian finished.

Lady Garrison laughed, and Miss Henderson let out a titter. Her mother was not amused.

“For a ruined woman,” Daisy said brightly, “I’m doing very well for myself.”

Miss Henderson gasped again and covered her face with her hands, but peered through the gaps between her fingers.

“Have you no shame?” her mother cried. “How dare you mention your scandalous past!”

“Why not?” Daisy retorted. “It’s what everyone’s thinking, isn’t it?”

Crimson patches bloomed on Mrs. Henderson’s cheeks. “Do you forget that you are in the company of a young, unmarried woman?”

“Oh, fiddlesticks,” Daisy said. “As I tried to make plain previously, young women should learn about such things before marriage, not afterwards when it’s too late.”

Daisy wondered if Mrs. Henderson would fall into an apoplectic fit. As for her silly daughter, still peeking through her fingers . . .

“Miss Henderson,” Daisy said, “this is probably the first and last time I shall be permitted to speak to you. I am trying very hard not to stick my tongue out at you, but if you continue to gape as if I were a freak in a cage at the fair, I shall have no choice.”

The poor girl’s eyes well-nigh popped out of her head.

“All I did was bed a smuggler,” Daisy said. “In appearance, I am no different from any other female who is no longer a virgin. You will learn nothing from staring at me.”

Miss Henderson whimpered, and her mother jumped up and dragged her daughter to her feet.

Lady Garrison moved smoothly into the breach. “Don’t be embarrassed, Miss Henderson. You should know by now that the Warren ladies are extremely forthright. It took me a while to become accustomed to Gloriana, and I see that Daisy will take some getting used to as well.”

Daisy felt a hot, miserable flush rise up her neck. She glanced at Sir Julian. His face was entirely expressionless. He must be furious.

They had arrived less than an hour ago, and already she’d ruined everything. They would have to leave. She would return to the Hollow and barricade herself in her bedchamber with loaded guns, knives, and plenty of paper and ink. She would never see Sir Julian again.

What a pity that would be, although she didn’t know why she cared. It was inevitable, whether now or a week or two hence.

“I have never in my life experienced such gross impropriety,” Mrs. Henderson declared. “Our thanks for your hospitality, Lady Garrison, but we, too, have no choice but to leave.”

Reams must have been eavesdropping outside the drawing room door, for he opened it immediately, ushered the visitors out, and sent a footman scurrying for their carriage.

As Lady Garrison closed the door again, they heard Reams suggesting that the ladies take a turn in the rose garden whilst waiting for the horses to be put to.

“My apologies, Lady Garrison,” Daisy said rigidly. “I shouldn’t have lost my temper.” She forced herself to raise her eyes. She’d never lacked courage before, but she dreaded the rejection of these two kindhearted people.

Sir Julian’s lips twitched. Melinda Garrison turned from the door and caught his eye. They broke into laughter.

After a few astonished seconds, Daisy burst into tears.