Page 8 of Miss Ellis Unleashed

Ferris abruptly took his leave and strutted around the perimeter of the dance floor.

She shook her head. Her interest in men had changed. They were confusing. Contrary. Often unfathomable. Even Throsby had turned out to be nothing like she expected.

When she met Abelton for their dance, something of her mood must have shown on her face because he raised a brow. “Is something wrong?”

“Nothing I cannot handle,” she promised him with a smile.

He nodded, frowning though, and Daisy kept the smile on her face so that Abelton would not ask further questions.

In his arms, she relaxed enough to forget Mr. Ferris’s demands, but she remained vexed with all other men. She sighed. “It does not take long for scoundrels to show their true colors, does it?”

“I suppose not. Word of the guardianship’s end is slowly spreading through society, and soon you will be utterly besieged with improper offers from rakes and scoundrels,” Abelton warned softly.

“It has already started,” she grumbled. “Throsby must have quite terrified them all before, because I seem to be looked upon very differently now.”

“He did well then, as a guardian,” Abelton suggested gently.

Perhaps he had.

And right now, Daisy felt almost hunted, although not for marriage.

Throsby had been right about so many things, unfortunately.

Father had left her finances in complete disarray, and if she hadn’t read the ledgers from start to finish herself, she would not have learned what the viscount had done to improve her fortunes since taking control.

That improvement would not be enough to please any noble family, no matter if she was desperately loved for just herself. She might not marry into the aristocracy, as Throsby had always assumed she could. She had to lower her expectations further. A good match to a kind and affectionate gentleman was the best she could ever hope for. It was all she had ever truly wanted, really. To have a home and a family again. Someone who cared about her more than for the money she might bring them.

Throsby’s parting words had spelled out in no uncertain terms the perilous nature of her position in society, the way no previous lecture from him ever had. He had even prepared her for the unpleasant and humiliating encounter with her solicitor when he had called and uttered an offer of marriage she’d immediately refused. The man had called twice since, assuming she’d eventually change her mind.

When her dance with Abelton ended, Daisy immediately went in search of her best friend, Gabby, the new Duchess of Mamble, in whose company she would remain safe from persistent scoundrels.

The duke and duchess were together across the room, Mamble in deep conversation with Lord Windermere. Gabby was hanging on Mamble’s arm and laughing.

A new set was forming, forcing Daisy to wait before she could cross the dance floor to join them. But when she started out finally, she ran headlong into Justine Dawes.

She stopped and stared at her former friend.

Justine’s gown was an exquisite shade of dark green that suited her complexion perfectly, but her eyes appeared red again, as they seemed to be every time their paths crossed lately. She looked wretchedly unhappy.

“Miss Dawes,” she murmured quickly. “Are you unwell?”

“I am very well, thank you, Miss Ellis,” Justine said stiffly, and then the usual awkward silence ensued as she lingered.

“I was just on my way to rejoin Gabby,” Daisy announced.

“Yes, I’m sure you are wanted there,” Justine answered with a hint of disapproval—or was it envy?

Daisy smiled and inclined her head. “Do enjoy your evening.”

“And the same to you,” Justine said, nodding back.

Daisy continued toward Gabby, troubled by the exchange. Sometimes, it felt like Justine wished to say more, even as she also couldn’t wait to get away. There was a bitterness about her now that had never been apparent before…although that could be on account that her sister had wed the man Justine had pinned her hopes on marrying.

That newly matched pair was standing back to back across the room, too, talking to other guests rather than each other. Justine’s sister had won herself a titled husband who didn’t bother to hide the fact he didn’t care for a wife who’d entrapped him into a humiliating public proposal.

Justine would have made him a better wife, had the sister not gotten in her way. Daisy wondered, and not for the first time, what Justine thought about that match. But likely she would never find out. Justine wouldn’t be sharing further confidences with her anytime.

Gabby greeted Daisy warmly when she finally arrived at her side. “There you are.”