Page 57 of Love and the Shameless Lady

“Just barely,” Melinda said with a grin.

“Oh!” Daisy cried when he brought the chess set into the drawing room and began to set up the pieces. “I remember this set.” The ivory figures looked as if they were planted in pots, with leaves growing up around them.

“Pretty, isn’t it? It’s one of my favorite possessions,” Miles said. “Far more interesting than most of my father’s collection.”

Daisy began to set up her pieces when it hit her. “I didn’t realize until now, but the white queen was my inspiration for the queen on the charm bracelet in my novel.”

Melinda turned from the doorway. “Is that so? Of course! I remember the description. She does look as if she would like to get out of that uncomfortable pot.”

She left, and Daisy smiled fondly on the little queen before launching into a not-very-serious game. It was almost like returning to their easy rapport of years ago, before Miles’s scandal had hit, and then hers.

Eventually, it was time for bed. Julian escorted Daisy upstairs, carrying her bedroom candle. At the top of the stairs, she put out her hand for the candle.

He shook his head. “I’ll take you all the way to your bedchamber.”

“Why? I’m sure I’m not in danger. You said yourself that he doesn’t yet know where I am.”

“Probably not.”

“It will appear improper if you accompany me.”

“Perhaps, but how else am I to get the next volume of The Lady’s Ruin?”

“Oh.” Pause. “Very well.” Once again, she had no reason to object. He was merely doing his best to protect her and identify the murderer as soon as possible. She proceeded down the corridor, head high. If there were any servants about, she would at least seem properly aloof.

“I like your family,” he said.

That surprised her into smiling at him. “You do?”

He smiled in return. She wished his smile weren’t so friendly and warm. “For one thing, there are many of them, a real family. I’m an only child, my parents are dead, and the only near relatives I have left are some starched-up cousins.”

“It sounds lonely. Even in my disgrace, I see quite a lot of my brother and his wife and children.”

“It can be lonely, but I have good friends. More important, your family members are straightforward, often blunt. Even Melinda, who always tries to mediate, is not afraid to say what’s on her mind. It’s refreshing.”

“If you say so.”

“I do say so. My family, those who died and those who survive, are just the opposite. We’re excruciatingly polite for fear of giving offense.”

“Even with each other?”

“Yes, it’s incredibly frustrating. One never knows what the others are thinking. We daren’t say what is really on our minds, because it might cause embarrassment. There’s no chance of giving advice, or worse, of receiving it. In that way, it really is damned lonely.”

“Well, don’t be too polite with me,” she said.

“I’ll try, but you may not want to hear what I’m thinking,” Julian said. They had reached the door before hers. He halted and pushed it open, holding the candle high. The room was smaller than Daisy’s, but with a bed and other furnishings. “It will do.” He closed the door again.

“Now I have no choice but to ask, dratted man,” Daisy said, as they continued toward her door. “Penny for your thoughts.”

“I’m thinking . . . that you have a beautiful smile,” he said.

Oh. She’d rather not hear that.

“I’ve been longing to see it ever since we met. I knew it would be lovely, but not how lovely until now.”

She didn’t know what to say.

“I’m thinking how much I like you,” he said.

She turned away, fumbling for the door handle. Her heart fluttered uneasily, between pleasure at the compliment and fear of the consequences. She mustn’t let this affect her, mustn’t let him affect her. Theirs was an arrangement of convenience, nothing more.

“You’re right, I’d rather not know.” She pushed open the door, snatched the candle, and marched inside. “Wait right there.”

He did, thank heavens. She fetched the second and third volumes of The Lady’s Ruin and proffered them, her arm outstretched to keep as much distance as possible between them, eyes on the floor.

“Look at me, Daisy,” he whispered. “Don’t be afraid.”

She couldn’t meet his eyes. She dared not, for fear he would see too much. Take the books. Please.

He didn’t. Instead, he pulled her to him, put a finger under her chin, and pushed it gently up. Before she could stop him, he leaned in and kissed her. She froze. Both anguish and pleasure rendered her helpless.

Voices heralded the approach of Miles and Melinda.

Julian broke the kiss and took the books. “Goodnight, Daisy, my love.”