The pained look that crossed Daisy’s expressive face made Jasper feel like something that ought to be scraped off the stable floor, but it would not do to allow the chit to get overly concerned about him. He admired her composure, as she accepted his words with a blink and turned her attention back to their surroundings.
They were taking the air in his mother’s well-manicured garden. Other couples were also perambulating about the walkways. Some young ladies were sitting on the benches, giggling and gossiping. It was a tranquil scene. Jasper was almost enjoying himself. With Daisy on his arm looking around with such obvious delight, he recognized the attraction to such a gathering.
“Is it as good as you had hoped?” he asked her, careful that they were not overheard.
Her smile was as bright as the midday sun. “Oh yes, my lord, aside from worrying about you. That I would never have expected. But the party itself is a delight. And I would think your mother was absolutely lovely if she weren’t so mean to you.”
“You need not have any qualms about enjoying her company. I shall not consider it disloyal of you.”
Daisy chuckled, and Jasper’s chest tightened at the sound. “Thank you, my lord, I appreciate your offer. Your father on the other hand…” Her voice trailed off as she thought better of her words.
“Go ahead, my dear. I can promise you I shan’t take offence.”
Daisy’s nose wrinkled endearingly. “As my host, I ought not to speak ill of him.”
Jasper kept his silence, hoping she would express herself, knowing it would be amusing and light compared to most of the thoughts he had entertained about his sire.
“It is just that he makes me so nervous. How could you bear it as a boy, my lord?”
Jasper smiled his amusement. He had been right in his assessment. “I did not know any better, if you must know the truth. His coldness predates my birth, I do believe, so until I was an adult, I didn’t even realize that not all noblemen were like him. My only concern as a boy was that I was unable to imitate him perfectly. I thought I would never qualify to be his heir. According to my father, I still do not, but I now realize it is for entirely different reasons.”
He had tried to be light and flippant, but he must not have succeeded as his soft-hearted companion made a small noise of sympathetic distress and clutched his arm a little tighter. Jasper could not look at her for fear the warm concern in her eyes would unman him. He changed the subject away from himself.
“What exposure have you had to his coldness to make you so nervous of him? It has seemed to me that he has been surprisingly gracious whenever he has been in your company.”
Daisy started. Jasper could see that she had not meant to discuss it with him. A charming pink suffused her cheeks as he gazed at her. She nibbled her lip nervously, looking at him from beneath her eyelashes. If he were with any other female, he would consider her behaviour coquettish, but this was Daisy, and he knew it was all unconscious, which made it all the more appealing.
Forcing himself to remain impassive, he raised a quizzical eyebrow. Her blush deepened, but she did begin to speak.
“A note arrived yesterday from Charlotte, and your father approached me about it while I was going up to change for dinner.” Daisy lowered her voice as though she were about to reveal a dreadful secret. “I believe he might have read the missive.”
Jasper tried to appear shocked but was not actually surprised, and Daisy’s concerns were amusing. He tried not to smile as he responded. “What makes you think he read it? Was there anything very dreadful in the letter?”
“Well, no, Charlotte was very circumspect in her choice of words, aware that it could be read any number of times on its way to me. It was merely the way the marquis looked at me as he was giving it to me. And he offered to assist me in any way, should I require it.”
“Well that was generous of him, was it not?” Jasper could not quite understand why this was causing her concern.
“A proper young lady should not have concerns for which she would need assistance,” Daisy insisted, causing Jasper to throw back his head and guffaw, drawing many eyes to examine them speculatively.
“Hush, my lord,” Daisy admonished, making it difficult for Jasper to obey, but he realized she was genuinely distressed by the attention directed their way, so he did his best to control his mirth.
“I do apologize, my dear, but your notions are, on occasion, quite ridiculous.”
Jasper’s amusement would not abate under her efforts to quell him, but he did stop laughing long enough to ask her where she came by such an idea. “Everyone has concerns, Daisy, even proper young ladies. Perhaps proper young ladies have even more concerns than others, if you think about it for a moment. What about orphans or heiresses? They can be quite proper but they would have plenty to concern them.”
Daisy cast her eyes downward, realizing the sense of what he was saying. She did not want him to know about her concerns and how very improper she considered them. She would rather he think her ridiculous instead, although she hated the thought of that as well. So, she held her silence, hoping Jasper would let the subject drop. Her hopes were in vain.
“So, it seems to me that you did not want the marquis to know about your concerns. What did Charlotte write to you about? What was so urgent that it could not wait a few days until you return?”
“It is really none of your concern, my lord,” she answered repressively.
“You are here as my guest — everything about you is my concern, for the next few days at least.” Seeing that his words were not softening her resolve, Jasper tried a different tactic. “Come on, Daisy, I thought we were friends. Why will you not confide in me?”
Daisy was struggling to find an appropriate answer that would not require her to reveal her secrets when the butler announced that tea was ready to be served.
The smile of relief that graced Daisy’s face did not reassure Jasper. “Do not think that this is over, Daisy.” His parting words brought a startled look to Daisy’s face, which she quickly smothered with a gracious smile as she joined the other young ladies.
Chapter Ten
Charlotte was just sitting down with a cup of tea when there was a loud banging on her door. With a shiver of dread, she went to open it.
There on her doorstep was her friend Miss Jane Holstein, accompanied by two rather rough-looking characters. One of the men had a veneer of refinement clinging to his edges, despite the ugly look in his eyes. Charlotte gripped the doorframe tightly as she waited to hear what her visitors had to say.
“I am so sorry, Charlotte, they were quite insistent on meeting you, and you did say not to concern myself about it, so I brought them here. I hope I have not caused you any trouble. These are the gentlemen who are searching for Miss Pembroke.” Jane’s tone expressed just how little she thought of the gentlemen in question, but she kept her words and face polite.
Charlotte did not want to invite any of them into the sanctuary of her small home and so stood her ground, holding the door tightly while she turned her attention to the men.
“What is your business with Miss Pembroke?” she asked, keeping her tone as neutral as possible. She did not want to give away any information to any of her callers.
“It is urgent business that is of a private nature, miss. We must speak with her as soon as possible.” The smaller of the two, the one who looked as though he once knew what respectable was, spoke in a refined voice that had been abused by excessive drink.
“Well, Miss Pembroke is not here at the moment. She has actually left Town for a few days. If you were to call around next week, you should be able to speak with her then.”
The larger of the two men growled low and menacing, making the two ladies step backward involuntarily. The smaller one cast him a quelling look before turning to Charlotte. “As I mentioned, the matter is of some urgency. Perhaps we could travel to speak with her wherever she might be found.”
Charlotte knew he was making an attempt to keep hi
s tone conciliatory, but it was not at all reassuring. “Excuse me, but I do not even know who you are. I am not about to give you my friend’s direction. She will be home next week — you can speak with her then.”
She was about to shut the door firmly, but the man put his foot in the way, making it impossible. Dread trickled down Charlotte’s back, but she stiffened her resolve and kept her chin high.
“I apologize, miss, I did not introduce myself. I fear I have forgotten my manners in the urgency of the situation I face. I am Lord Sadbury, the Baron of Clifton. Miss Pembroke was in my employ until two weeks ago. I really need to speak with her.” He made an attempt at being gracious but merely sounded as though he was growling the words.
“Why?” Charlotte asked baldly. “Are you wishing to take her back into your employ?”
Lord Sadbury looked blankly at her for a moment before he began to nod. “Yes, exactly that. My wife finds that she just cannot manage without the girl. And the children miss her, of course. Yes, we really must find her and bring her back to the children.”
Charlotte could see that the baron was warming to his subject even though he was lying through his teeth. She was more determined than ever to keep Daisy’s whereabouts a secret. She hoped there was some way she could prevent her young friend from returning to Bloomsbury at all. Charlotte sensed danger for the young woman emanating from these two men.
Plastering what she hoped was a convincing smile of regret onto her face, Charlotte answered the baron. “I am sorry to inconvenience you, my lord, but I cannot give you her direction. I am sure she will be happy to hear from you upon her return to Town. If you would care to leave your card, she can call on you as soon as she is back.”
An ugly look crossed the man’s face as he regarded her with cold anger. Fear trickled through Charlotte’s veins once more. She glanced at Jane, wondering if she would be of any help should the situation get more difficult. The fear shining in her friend’s eyes made her heart sink. She tightened her grip on the front door to her house.
“Once again, I apologize that I could not be of more help, but now I must bid you a good day as I have my own affairs to attend to today.” With that, Charlotte pushed the door closed. She heard the men grumbling and then Jane’s shrill voice before the clomp of footsteps allowed her to relax as she wilted against the door. What has my darling Daisy gotten herself into? she wondered as she composed another note.
My dear Miss Pembroke:
Your acquaintances called around looking for you quite enthusiastically. I assured them you would be happy to meet with them upon your return to Town, but it would seem they are disappointed by the delay. I felt certain you would wish to be informed.
I hope you are having a good time and your arrangements are coming along. I trust you will keep me apprised of any developments.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Johnston
Daisy’s hand shook as the marquis handed her another note. “You look a trifle pale, Miss Pembroke, are you feeling well?”
“Quite well, thank you, my lord. Your generous hospitality here in the country has been just what I needed. I am having a delightful time. Thank you for passing this along. I should sit down to read it somewhere quiet.”
“Why do you not have a seat here?” Lord Abernathy indicated the large chairs situated in front of his own desk. She was standing there, feeling so very small after he had summoned her to his library to receive this latest message from Charlotte.
“Oh no, my lord, I would not want to intrude on your space. You surely have work to do. I will just leave you in peace. Thank you so much for passing on the message.” Daisy realized she was babbling but could not stop herself. She knew she could not read the message with his watchful eyes upon her no matter what it contained. She curtsied deeply and quickly headed for the door.
“My offer still stands, Miss Pembroke,” the marquis called after her, his voice low but carrying.
Daisy pretended that she had not heard, almost breaking into a run in her haste to be free of the haughty man’s enervating presence. Seeing that the morning room was empty, she slipped in there to have a quiet moment and examine Charlotte’s latest missive.
Her hands were cold and clammy as she folded the paper back up. What shall I do? she asked herself rather desperately. What could they possibly want with me? Lord and Lady Sadbury were perfectly clear when they terminated my employment that I was no longer welcome in their home. Surely his lordship’s search for me could mean nothing but trouble. And my poor dear Charlotte must be beside herself with worry for me and concern for her own safety. Considering the friends the wretched man kept, who knows who had presented themselves at her house.
Feeling tears of indecision welling in her eyes, Daisy dashed them away with an impatient hand. Tears will be of no use to me, she thought with disgust.
“What seems to be the trouble, my dear?” The deep voice from the doorway sent shivers down Daisy’s neck. She should have known he was there; she could usually sense his presence.
Daisy had managed to avoid him for most of the day. Since their conversation in the garden the day prior, Daisy had been keenly uncomfortable in his presence. Happy for him that the purpose of their visit had been accomplished, Daisy was torn with her own disappointment that their time together was going to come to an end. She realized it was rather contradictory to avoid his presence when she was so sorry over the end to their arrangement, but she couldn’t seem to make sense around the handsome nobleman.
“Naught, my lord, all is well.” She told the boldfaced lie without even batting an eyelash. Much to her shame, the viscount saw through her words and merely gazed at her knowingly.
“I hate to accuse a lady of being a liar, but surely you must be jesting with me,” he drawled lazily, delighted to see she was not unaffected by his presence.
She determined to tell him a version of the truth. “I am worrying about my future, if you must know.”
“I told you that you had no need to concern yourself about that.”
“That is easy for you to say, my lord. Your affairs have been sorting themselves out rather nicely.” She could not help the waspish tone of her voice.
“Do you not trust me to keep my word?”
Daisy searched the viscount’s warm gaze to find the meaning behind his words. She was covered in confusion, unsure how to answer. “Of course, I trust you. I know as a gentleman you will do all in your power to keep your word. But we have not yet come up with a plan, and I am unable to stop myself from worrying.”
It was now Jasper’s turn to search Daisy’s trembling gaze. “I think there are things you are leaving out, my dear. Why do you not confide in me? I truly believe that two minds are better than one. If you share your troubles, they will be lessened.”
Daisy was not yet desperate enough to confide her troubles to the rake before her. He might know about trouble, but it was of a whole different variety than she was dealing with. That thought brought a smile to her face.
“Thank you, my lord, you are perfectly correct.” She stepped forward and linked arms with him. “Now I must confide in you that part of my troubles is that I am perfectly famished. Do you suppose your mother will be serving a luncheon today?”
Jasper looked as though she had just slapped him. Daisy was unsure what could have caused such a reaction, but could not bring herself to ask.
“You really do not trust me, do you?” he asked, his lips pinched into a thin line.
“Sure I do,” Daisy replied promptly, her eyes widening in surprise over his strong reaction.
“If you did, you would tell me why Charlotte is writing to you and why you look so worried about it.”
“I did tell you what is worrying me,” Daisy insisted.
“In the very vaguest sense, not in any way that is any different than before,” Jasper insisted. “You look far more concerned than you did when we were still in London, before we set out on this adventure. Something has happened, and I fai
l to understand why you will not tell me about it.”
“Why should I confide in you, my lord, when you have not seen fit to do so with me?”
Jasper stilled. The confirmation that she was keeping something from him was not nearly as satisfying as he had expected it to be. He watched Daisy with sad, serious eyes. “Very well, Miss Daisy, I will tell you whatever you would like to know. But not here. Let us go riding — we can bring along a groom to keep it all perfectly above board,” he concluded, seeing the protest that was forming on her face.
“Did I pack a riding habit?” Daisy asked herself out loud. “It has been an age since last I rode. I wonder if I shall remember how it is done.”
This brought laughter to them both, breaking the terrible tension that had held them in its grip. “Once you have learned you can never forget,” Jasper assured her. “And I am absolutely certain there was a habit in that mountain of clothing you packed for our week here.”
Daisy’s impish grin was a welcome sight, and Jasper sucked in his breath, eager to be off with her. “How quickly can you be ready?”
Daisy tossed him a saucy glance as she teased him. “If I were a proper lady, it would no doubt take me an hour to get ready, but since I am not, I could probably meet you by the front door in about fifteen minutes.”
Jasper rolled his eyes at her. “I will believe that when I see it. Should I have a maid bring you a tray? You did mention how hungry you are.” He knew she had been trying to distract him, but he didn’t feel right making her miss a meal if she really was hungry.
“Thank you for thinking of it, my lord, that would be a lovely idea, but you had best allow me twenty minutes in that case,” she replied as she dashed off to make her preparations.
True to her word, Daisy met the viscount at the front door just as the clock chimed the hour, exactly when she had promised to be ready.
“You are a rare woman, Miss Pembroke,” Jasper complimented as he handed her up onto the horse he had arranged for her use.
A Dangerous Debut: A Sweet Regency Romance (Ladies of Mayfair Book 5) Page 9
