Page 41 of Miss Ellis Unleashed

“Circumstances?”

“I did not agree with the way Miss Ellis evicted you. Damn shoddy of her, but I only learned of what she’d intended after it was too late.”

Max nodded. “To be honest, it’s no longer a source of strife between us. We both spoke our minds that night. Cleared the air, as it were. She is no longer my responsibility, and I am no longer considered her enemy.”

Mamble’s breath rushed out. “I am particularly relieved to hear that.”

“Oh? Why?”

“Well, you must know there are few in London I can tolerate for long. You have become a good friend, and I can always count on you to talk sense.”

Max was surprised to hear he’d made that much of an impression. He’d hardly spent that much time with the duke…but should he and Daisy marry, a friendship with the duke would certainly make nights like this more pleasant. “I trust your travels were uneventful.”

“Yes, the roads were as expected, accommodations acceptable, and I enjoyed several nights of uninterrupted pleasure⁠—”

“Please don’t finish that sentence,” Max begged, afraid the duke would launch into a description of their intimate marital adventures.

Mamble laughed. “I was going to say of stargazing with my wife. Her grace enjoyed the outdoors and the change of scenery from London very much, but she missed her dear friend too much to stay away for long.”

“I am sure she was also much missed,” Max promised.

Mamble glanced around and leaned closer to whisper, “Miss Ellis actually squealed when we arrived unannounced at her door today. I’ve never heard such a sound before.”

Max chuckled softly. “I am well acquainted with that habit and sound. They were close from the day they met.”

“My wife wants to take Miss Ellis home with us, and keep her there for Christmas, too.” Mamble drew closer still. “I gather the girl’s not made a match while we’ve been gone from Town?”

“Not that I’ve heard of, but I have not spent much time in society these past weeks.” Max wet his lips nervously. If invited, Daisy was sure to want to go away with her friend to the countryside to see where the duchess would live, which would interfere with his slow courtship of the minx. “When were you thinking of leaving?”

“A date has not been set, but soon, I should think,” Mamble said, as he looked around. “Gods, I hate the way people stare and whisper.”

“Every gentleman does. Ignore them,” he said, as he spied Lord and Lady Brookes sweeping into the room. The lady smiled while the man, Brookes, seemed to be perspiring heavily. He watched the man mop his face and hastily accept a glass of champagne.

Tonight, Max did not see Miss Dawes trailing immediately behind them, which was unusual. He ought to somehow report to her that he had her book recovered to pristine condition. Daisy was to deliver it though, but she could not if she was taken from Town.

He had to ensure Daisy might stay in Town for a little longer.

Max turned back to whisper to the duke, “She might have one suitor.”

“Oh, who?”

“I’d rather not say,” he hedged, knowing the danger of going too far with his tale. But he could not have Daisy spirited away from London before he had a chance and time to make a proper offer. “I’d keep it to yourself for now.”

“Of course.” Mamble frowned. “I’m sure my wife will discover who he might be, and perhaps we can help speed things in the right direction.”

Max shuffled his feet. He didn’t need help, he needed time. Marriage would last a lifetime. He wanted Daisy to consider him properly, in her own time, and not to have any regrets later. He didn’t want to rush her to the altar just to fit with anyone’s schedule but her own.

“Lord Throsby! What a surprise to see you here tonight,” the Duchess of Mamble said, pulling him from his thoughts as she appeared beside her husband. A tense smile was fixed in place as she extended her hand toward him.

He bowed over it. “Your grace. A pleasure to have you back in London. We missed you.”

She looked at him in confusion, tilting her head—and that movement revealed Daisy, who had been standing slightly behind her friend and out of immediate sight.

She stepped out of the duchess’s shadow, revealing a daring gown he’d refused to let her wear in public during the guardianship. The fabric was too sheer, and the bodice was cut too low not to have scoundrels flocking to feast on the view.

As a guardian, he would have dragged Daisy from the ball immediately for daring to defy his instructions. However, as her smitten lover, his first thought was to find a secluded alcove where he could kiss her witless and peel her out of it.

He dragged his eyes up from her body with difficulty. Daisy extended her hand, looking at him in a way that suggested she’d worn the dress just to irk him and was trying not to laugh at his reaction. The minx was aware that he struggled to ignore her appeal now, and she was secretly delighted by his reaction to the forbidden gown.