Page 41 of Love and the Shameless Lady

Julian’s amusement fled. “No, don’t cry, Daisy.” He pulled her into his arms. Great shuddering sobs racked her body. His heart twisted at her misery. He rocked her gently and caressed her hair. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Daisy, love, please don’t cry.”

He cast an anguished glance at Melinda, who had also ceased laughing. “Don’t feel badly about it, Daisy. They’re stupid, narrow-minded people. I only put up with them because they’re our neighbors. Don’t let Gloriana upset you, either. Miles will have a talk with her, and all will be well.”

There was a soft tap at the door. Melinda opened it a little way.

“The baby’s awake, my lady,” a maid’s voice said.

“Very well, I’m just coming.” She turned. “Whenever you’re ready, Reams will show you to your bedchambers.”

She left. Daisy’s sobs slowed, and she pushed herself out of Julian’s arms, sniffling hard. He offered his handkerchief. She took it and blew her nose.

“I don’t know what came over me.” She paced back and forth before the sofa, glowering now. “I never weep.”

That’s my Daisy, he thought with relief. “I’ve seen you lose your temper before, and you certainly didn’t weep then. It must have been the apologizing that did it. Such a painful experience, that.”

She huffed. “I am perfectly capable of apologizing for my bad behavior without bursting into floods.” A tear trickled anew down her cheek, and her lip quivered.

“Then what?”

“It’s the k-kindness,” she said. “I’m not used to it.”

“No? I thought you got on well with your brother Colin and his wife.”

“Yes, but that’s different. I don’t force myself on them and make rude remarks to their guests. You and Lady Garrison seemed to understand. You didn’t scold or—or reject me, or . . .”

“I’ll never reject you, Daisy. I like you just as you are.”

This, he realized, was more or less true. He would rather she were less angry, but her forthrightness, after the stodgy propriety of his own relations, was a welcome relief.

And she’d felt magnificent in his arms.

“I wish I hadn’t wept,” she muttered. “It’s so humiliating.”

“I suspect it has to do with the death threat, and the uncertainty of your welcome here,” he said.

“Miles may still reject me,” she said almost hopefully, as if her low expectations would then be met and her tears therefore become more acceptable.

“Not likely,” Julian said.

“Lady Garrison said I would take some getting used to. Oh God, do you realize? She compared me to Gloriana!”

Julian laughed again. He couldn’t help it.

“I’ve never been so insulted . . .” She dropped onto the sofa and put her head in her hands. “Oh, how dreadful. Am I really like her?”

“You’re both very fierce,” Julian said. “Opinionated, but with quite different views. It should certainly make for some lively discussions.”

Daisy heaved a huge quivery sigh. At least only Sir Julian had remained while she blubbered. Lady Garrison had escaped immediately, and no blame to her.

“I must try my very hardest to control my temper,” she said, glumly admitting to herself that this was almost impossible. “Maybe Gloriana won’t come over while we’re here. She lives in the Dower House, so she can easily avoid me. If we leave before the house party, she won’t be so upset with me.”

“Do you care whether she’s upset?”

“No. Yes. No, I can’t afford to care, but she used to be my dearest friend. That was long ago, but . . .” Daisy controlled the treacherous tendency of her lips to wobble. She missed that friendship and always would.

“What was that gesture as she left, the evil eye?” His lip curled derisively.

“I don’t know,” Daisy said, feeling nonetheless that it did indeed mean something. Perhaps it was some remnant of childish play. “She was always given to dramatic gestures.”