Page 9 of Miss Ellis Unleashed

“Yes, here I am,” Daisy answered with a fond smile.

Gabby frowned. “I saw you in conversation with Miss Dawes just now.”

“Yes. She did speak to me,” Daisy admitted. Discussions about Justine never ended well between them, and she said no more.

Gabby’s frown deepened. “What did she say to you tonight?”

“Nothing of note again.”

The duchess pursed her lips, and after a moment, sighed. “You miss her.”

Daisy shrugged. “Perhaps I do, but I’m no longer sure I ever knew her.”

“I’ve felt the same for a while,” Gabby whispered, glancing behind them. “I thought we’d all be friends forever.”

“Forever is a very long time,” Daisy murmured. “Nothing lasts.”

Gabby grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly. “You’ll never be rid of me, I promise. We’ll be sitting on the sidelines together, clutching our walking canes, watching our daughters and granddaughters set the ton on fire, and whispering of scandals well into our dotage.”

Daisy laughed at the delightful picture she painted, but she wasn’t so sure she’d have daughters or granddaughters invited to ton events like this anymore. Gabby was on a different path now than Daisy. She would forever have a life in high society.

She glanced around the room and found Justine was gone from the ballroom now. But then her eyes landed on Mr. Ferris, glowering at her from across the room, and she groaned under her breath. The scoundrel was a persistent devil.

His head tilted toward the library impatiently, but Daisy pretended not to see.

She glanced over her shoulder, and then quickly turned around again, blushing. She’d grown so accustomed to checking where Throsby stood when she attended balls like this, that the habit was still upon her. But Throsby was no longer near. He was no longer seen in proper society, either. He’d disappeared from her life as suddenly as he’d come, making her even more cross with him.

“I think Mr. Ferris is trying to catch your eye,” Gabby whispered urgently.

Daisy kept a smile on her face. “He’s very charming.”

“As he’s always been with you. But…” Gabby searched her face. “There’s something wrong. Tell me.”

Daisy quickly whispered the details of the scandalous invitation she’d received from Mr. Ferris tonight.

Gabby drew back, eyes widened in shock. “You cannot consider meeting with such a man here.”

“I never planned to,” Daisy promised, smiling at those around them who’d perhaps heard the panic in the duchess’s tone, if not her exact words.

Gabby exhaled, her relief clear. “Mamble said he isn’t in the market for a wife.”

“Throsby already said as much,” she murmured darkly.

“Has Mr. Ferris ever been so bold with you before?”

“No, but he’s different without Throsby around. They all are. Gentlemen seem to have lost their manners around me, and I’m fast losing my patience with them, too.”

Gabby sighed. “I’m so sorry. Bachelors can be beastly creatures. Well, until they fall in love and marry, that is.”

“I always imagined husband-hunting would be more fun without Throsby around. I’ve discovered there were benefits to having a surly viscount standing behind me all the time, scowling at everyone. Although half the fun for me seemed to have been in alarming Throsby with what I might have done or agreed to do.”

Gabby clucked her tongue. “Wasn’t that a bit childish of you?”

“Yes, I suppose it was. Throsby wasn’t interested in being my friend, not how your former guardian was to you. He…”

He confounded her, she was forced to admit. His continued absence from society was starting to alarm her, as well.

“My cousin Bennett was the exception, I now suspect, when it comes to guardians. But he was always my friend and had a great sense of humor and adventure. I miss him already, but he promised he will be with us for Christmas.”