Page 60 of Love and the Shameless Lady

“I was upset. I didn’t mean it.”

“Did you think I would beg forgiveness? Not likely.”

Gloriana chuckled sadly. “No, we’re both stubborn as can be. I’m sorry for that, too.”

“You may as well know that I wasn’t ashamed of seducing the smuggler.” Daisy steeled herself for a sudden flare of temper. “I’m still not. I never will be.”

Gloriana hunched an indifferent shoulder. “Why should you be? We all make mistakes. The longing for passion drives one to-to foolish and dangerous extremes.”

What a mind-boggling admission from Gloriana. “Even you?”

“I didn’t say that.” She stood in a hurry and turned away. “I merely came to apologize, and to assure you that when I’m being horrid, I don’t really mean it.”

“Thank you,” Daisy said, unable to keep a sarcastic note from her voice. “I’ll try to keep that in mind.” Besides, this wasn’t over. “You also came to ask me to leave.”

Gloriana faced her again, nodding briskly. “If you wouldn’t mind. It can’t matter to you, surely, whether you visit now or in another fortnight. Nothing must be allowed to happen that will cause Lord Hythwick to change his mind. I knew Miles wouldn’t turn you out, but I had to pretend that I thought he would.” She giggled unconvincingly. “He thinks I’ve run mad.”

“Small blame to him. You’re behaving like an idiot.”

“I don’t expect you to understand, but I swear this is more important to me than anything.” Her expression was almost distraught. “I’ll be mortified to-to death if he doesn’t ask me to marry him.”

“Gloriana, do you have any idea what it’s like to be truly mortified?”

“Yes,” she snapped. “I do!” She paused. “Dearest Daisy, please go away.” Pause. “And then please come back again.”

Daisy sighed. She’d understood her cousin in the past, but no longer. “I wish I could.”

Gloriana’s brows drew together. “Miles and Melinda won’t mind, not truly. You must leave quickly. Lord Hythwick is due to arrive this afternoon.”

“I don’t think Miles and Sir Julian will permit me to go.” Daisy did not want to explain her predicament to Gloriana.

“That’s your excuse? Since when have you become obedient?”

“I haven’t, but they’ll make it difficult for me. Miles will forbid me to take his carriage, and Sir Julian will refuse to escort me.”

“But why?” Gloriana wailed. “Miles would like to spoil my chances, but why should Sir Julian care? If he doesn’t want you to stay at that horrid tavern, he can take you to the Hollow.”

“No, because it wouldn’t be proper for him to remain with me there.”

“It’s a bit late for you to fuss about propriety,” Gloriana retorted, “but he needn’t stay. He can go to an inn.”

“He won’t. He’s concerned for my safety.”

“Since when are you worried about being safe?” For a brief instant, Daisy wondered if Gloriana would stamp her foot. “If you don’t want to help me, just say so!”

Oh, damn, Daisy thought.

Her cousin’s eyes filled with tears. “I thought I could count on you, because you know me better than anyone.” She choked on a sob. “You’ll never forgive me, will you?”

Daisy threw up her hands. “It has nothing to do with forgiveness. I would be happy to help you, no matter how stupidly you’re behaving, but it’s slightly more important to me to stay alive!”

Julian had paused outside the drawing room, but a few seconds’ eavesdropping was enough. He tapped on the door and went in. “Daisy, my love, there’s a letter for you.”

His heart twisted at the distress in Daisy’s eyes. He made a point of ignoring Gloriana, who deserved a good birching, and proffered Daisy a sealed missive. “One of the grooms from the Hollow brought it.”

Daisy broke the seal and quickly read the page. “It’s from Mr. Doughty, the publisher. He doesn’t know who wrote that letter. He swears he has told no one, although many people have asked. He says that someone broke into his shop one night a couple of months ago. His assistant, who lives above it, was knocked out trying to repel the intruder. Nothing was stolen, but the files were strewn about. That must be how my secret was disclosed.”

Gloriana was wiping the tears from her eyes, but at this, she frowned. “What secret?”