by Aileen Fish
“Oh, Dillie! I’ve had a terrible day and it couldn’t possibly get worse.”
“Would you care to wager on it? Mother sent me up here to retrieve the necklace. You know, the one you almost lost last night.”
Daisy poked her head toward the door to make certain it was closed. “Hush! Only you and Lily know about that.”
“And so will Mother when you don’t come up with it. She wants Julia to wear it tonight to Lord Malinor’s dinner party.”
“Why wouldn’t I... oh, duck feathers!” She slapped a hand to her forehead. “Lord Dayne still has it. Dillie, what am I to do?”
Her sister shrugged. “I don’t know, but you have less than four hours to track him down and get it back.”
Daisy rose from the bed and scampered to the bureau. “There’s plenty of time to set matters right. I’ll have Pruitt send someone around to his townhouse. Just give me a moment to write a note.”
“Pruitt doesn’t have a man to spare.”
She paused in the middle of pulling open the drawer where she kept her writing materials. “Surely, someone must be available.”
Dillie shook her head sadly. “No one on the staff is free. I’ve already asked, discreetly, of course. Mother has everyone running about madly preparing for the arrival of more relatives.”
“Just what we need, more Farthingales.” Daisy let out a sigh and began to nibble her lower lip as she considered her alternatives. “We can’t ask any of the adults. They wouldn’t understand about my losing the necklace in the first place. And the children are too young. That leaves me, but I can’t go alone. It wouldn’t look right, and what if someone saw me?”
Dillie wiggled her eyebrows. “It would cause quite the sensation.”
“Oh, Dillie. Too bad you can’t go to him.”
“Me? Visit that rakehell?” She laughed. “Not unless he promises to kiss me as thoroughly as he kissed you.”
“Dillie!” Honestly, her sister wasn’t helping matters at all.
“Sorry, couldn’t resist teasing you. Don’t worry, he isn’t my type. Not that I have any notion of the type of man I could love. One thing is certain, rakehells aren’t for me. I want the solid, decent sort who’ll love me as much as he loves himself. Hopefully, more so.”
Daisy grimaced. “So do I. Unfortunately, I haven’t come across any such creatures yet. The men I met last night were all boors. Except Lord Dayne, and he turned out to be the worst of the lot. Shows you what I know.”
Dillie cast her a sympathetic smile. “I can’t go alone, much as I would like to put paid to the problem. I’m far too young and innocent to be trusted on my own.”
“We could go together. You, me, and Lily. There’s safety in numbers. We might get away with it.”
“How will we get there? The family carriages are all in use.”
“Drat! Perhaps Eloise—”
“She isn’t at home,” her sister said with a shake of her head, quickly dispatching that idea. “I saw her leave about half an hour ago.”
“That’s right. She mentioned something last night about visiting family. We’ll have to take a hired hack and hope we don’t get caught. Oh, if only we had a male chaperone.”
Dillie snapped her fingers as another idea suddenly came to mind, decidedly wicked if the gleam in her eyes was any indication. “I know where we can find two males and they’re just perfect. Harry and Charles will act as our chaperones.”
Daisy couldn’t help but laugh. “They’re just boys, in fact little more than babies.”
“They’ll have to do and they’ll make the perfect cover. If asked, we’ll say we’re taking them to play in the park.”
“But we’ll really be taking them to Lord Dayne’s townhouse. I never realized my sister had such a devious mind.” She enveloped Dillie in an enormous and heartfelt hug. “Dillie, I’m quite proud of you.”
Chapter 8
A lady must never visit a rake unless gentlemen of her family are present to defend her honor.
Gabriel had never seen his butler look so perplexed. “Is there a problem, Hobson?”
“You have company, my lord. A delegation has arrived on urgent business.”
Gabriel set down the disturbing letter he’d just received from General Wolcott and pushed away from his desk. “I’m not home to visitors today. I thought my instructions were quite clear.”
“Indeed, they were. But the matter seemed extremely important.”
He rose from his chair, his brow knitted with concern. “A delegation you say? From General Wolcott?”
“No, my lord,” Hobson said with an almost imperceptible grin.
“Then from the Duke of Wellington himself?”
“Hardly.”
Hobson never grinned. Ever. Now Gabriel’s curiosity was piqued. “Must I guess or will you enlighten me?”
“Miss Daisy Farthingale is here with two male members of her family among others. They wish to speak to you on an urgent matter, of a delicate nature. The gentlemen were quite adamant.”
“Hellfire,” he grumbled under his breath, his collar suddenly feeling uncomfortably tight. Daisy must have told them about the kiss—that unbelievable, incredible kiss that should never have happened, but of course did happen—and they were here to settle the score. “Are they carrying weapons?”
“I don’t believe so, my lord. Though one gentleman is carrying a sack of marbles.”
He paused with one hand on the doorknob and turned a quizzical eye toward his butler. “What sort of man carries a—? Good Lord! How old are these gentlemen?”
Now Hobson’s lips were twisted in a full grin.
Gabriel moaned. “Don’t tell me you’ve left the little Farthingales alone! They’ll cut a swath of destruction through this house the like of which you’ve never seen!”
He raced out of his study and into the visitor’s parlor. The place was sure to be in ruins. His home, his cherished sanctuary, was under siege by that miniature Mongol horde!
Well, perhaps not.
He stopped abruptly at the doorway and surveyed the scene. Daisy sat calmly on the claw-foot sofa, holding Harry on her lap while reading aloud from the day’s newspaper. Another young boy, who appeared no older than four or five years of age, sat beside her intently listening to her every word, and two girls who looked so much alike it would be impossible to tell them apart occupied the chairs across from Daisy.
He couldn’t blame the boys for being enthralled with Daisy. She had an angel’s voice, sweet and melodic. And an angel’s body hidden beneath her simple gown of soft gray velvet. And an angel’s mouth. Lord, what a beautiful mouth!
No wonder he’d kissed her last night. And kissed her again. And again.
“Good afternoon, Miss Farthingale. To what do I owe the honor?”
He expected a smile, perhaps a delicate blush in response, but was surprised to find her tense and frowning. She rose abruptly, sweeping Harry into her arms as she lifted to her feet. “We’re sorry to have disturbed you, my lord. We won’t keep you long.”
My lord? The sudden formality surprised him, especially since she’d been delightfully informal last night. “Not at all. I welcome the distraction. The document I happened to be reviewing was particularly dry.” He turned to Hobson. “That reminds me. Bring refreshments for my guests. You must be thirsty after your ride.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” Daisy said, seeming eager to depart. “It wasn’t all that long a ride. In any event, we can’t stay.”
“Surely you can spare a moment.”
The boys nodded.
“Good. That settles it.” Though he hadn’t expected Daisy’s visit, he was glad that she had come. Somehow, being around her allowed him to forget the uglier side of life, the ugly reality of war and broken truces. He needed to put General Wolcott’s letter out of his mind for this short while. Nothing he could do about it at the moment.
He turned to the two girls who had settled opposite Daisy. They were seated in a pair of
mahogany chairs gifted to him by the Prince Regent in honor of his war service, though rumor was spread that he’d won them in a game of cards. Obviously, the girls were her younger sisters, Lily and Daffodil. Though he’d never met them, they were the right age and bore a striking resemblance to Daisy, similar dark hair and deep, blue eyes.
They’d require a few more years to blossom into Daisy’s impressive beauty, he decided, regarding them with the same curiosity as they regarded him.
“You must be Daffodil,” he said to the twin with the mischievous twinkle in her eye. “A pleasure to meet you.”
She let out a little gasp. “How did you know? Even our mother mixes us up. Please call me Dillie. All my friends do.”
“Very well, Dillie.” He chuckled and turned to her mirror image. “And you must be Lily. I hear you’re quite the avid reader. Please feel free to peruse the books in my library. Borrow any you wish.”
Her eyes, not quite as vivid a blue as Daisy’s, lit up. “Thank you. May I see them now?”
Daisy let out a soft gasp from behind him. “Lily!”
“Oh, Daisy. Please let me go. Lord Dayne did offer.”
“Indeed, I did. The library is just across the hall. First door on the left.” Lily was off before he’d finished his sentence. He felt a persistent tug at his jacket and glanced down.
“I’m Charles,” said the little boy who had earlier been seated beside Daisy. He held Gabriel’s pocket in a death grip.
“A pleasure to meet you, Charles. My name is Gabriel.” He knelt down, pried the boy’s hand off the pocket, and gave him a gentle, but fervent, handshake.
“I like marbles.” Charles rattled the bag he had clutched in his other hand. “Daisy got me the best one. It has seven colors.”
He turned to Daisy and grinned. “Yes, she is a wonder.”
She blushed and stared at her toes, obviously made uncomfortable by his direct gaze, but he was in no hurry to look away. She was the prettiest thing ever to adorn this room. Indeed, ever to adorn his townhouse, and he was not about to let the moment pass without drinking in his fill.
“Daisy always gets us the best things. She got Lizbeth a doll and Lizbeth said it was her favorite.”
Gabriel caught Daisy glancing at him and cast her a gentle smile. “As I said, she’s utterly perfect.”
Charles nodded earnestly. “Want to play with me?”
He continued to watch Daisy, surprised by how pretty she looked in the simple gown. Her hair was done up quite simply, as well. She looked as delicate as a porcelain doll, but not at all happy. “I’d love to, Charles.”
“We mustn’t impose on your time,” Daisy insisted, the blush now spreading to the tips of her ears. “You’re a very busy man, and we only stopped by to retrieve the necklace. I meant to ask you for it last night while we rode home in your grandmother’s carriage, but...” Her cheeks flamed crimson. “I became distracted.”
“Ah, yes. It was rather an interesting carriage ride.” Hell in a handbasket! They’d practically blown the roof off the carriage with the explosive force of that kiss. “I’ll have Hobson bring down the necklace at once. In the meantime, join us in a game of marbles.” He settled Charles beside him on the Aubusson carpet, motioned for Dillie to join them, and was pleased when she eagerly did so.
Even young Harry cooperated by trying to squirm out of Daisy’s arms until she had no choice but to set him down. She knelt beside him, holding the infant loosely by his chubby waist. Now, Daisy had no choice but to join in the game.
“Haven’t played in years,” Gabriel said, perusing the youthful faces and their wide, innocent eyes. “I used to be quite good, you know.”
“I’ll bet you’re still good at a lot of things,” Dillie remarked not so innocently.
He coughed and glanced at Daisy, who returned his glance with a pained one of her own, revealing she had told the twins about their kiss. Obviously she hadn’t told her parents, or else her father would have been at his doorstep with something significantly more threatening than a sack of marbles.
“Set them on the carpet, Charles,” he said, finally turning his attention to the boy. But his thoughts remained on Daisy. She had looked terribly serious and he was curious to learn why, for the answer was not immediately apparent.
Though Gabriel had proposed the game in order to prevent Daisy from retrieving the necklace and rushing off, he understood that it meant entertaining the rest of her family. However, he quickly decided they were quite tolerable. In fact, as the hour wore on, he found them a pleasant surprise. Their laughter and genuine sense of delight reminded him of his own boyhood, of idyllic summers and utter contentment.
He hadn’t felt this lighthearted in a long time, he suddenly realized. In fact, he’d forgotten how enjoyable life could be, how precious and sweet. Until last night and Daisy’s kiss.
“Is something wrong, Lord Dayne? You’re suddenly frowning.”
“No, Dillie. Just thinking of the business I’m neglecting.”
Daisy shot to her feet. “Then we mustn’t take up more of your valuable time.”
He let out an exaggerated sigh which the boys thought very funny, took her hand, and urged her down beside him. “Nonsense. We haven’t finished the game.”
“But—”
“Are you trying to beg off because you’re losing? Coward.”
Surprised by his light goading, she laughed. Finally, she shook her head and reluctantly settled back on the carpet. “I’m an abominable marbles player, just ask Charles. He manages to beat me every time. He, on the other hand, plays brilliantly.”
The boys and Dillie were all sprawled on their stomachs, busily studying the positions of their marbles and how to best knock each other out of the game. He noted the gentle manner in which Daisy handled the boys, her genuine friendship with Dillie, and he decided he heartily approved.
She was easy to be with, to talk to, and to tease.
“It is clear to me,” Gabriel said, taking aim at the largest of Daisy’s marbles, “that you lack the instincts of a killer. It is an admirable trait in a young lady, but quite the liability on the playing field. You had the opportunity to knock me into oblivion earlier but passed it up. Now, you shall pay for the mistake.”
She took his teasing with humor and grace, and only pretended to mind when he shot her marble to the opposite side of the room, causing her to lose the game. Then an amazing thing happened. Her sister gave her a little hug and said, “You’ll win next time. I just know it.”
Charles kissed her cheek. “You tried your best. I’m proud of you.”
Harry, who had never left her side, crawled onto her lap and used her breasts as handholds while reaching up to kiss her on the cheek. Clever, clever boy. “Wuff you, Daisy.” Which Gabriel understood to mean love you, Daisy.
“Your turn,” Charles said, staring at him in expectation.
“We always console the loser,” Dillie explained with a wicked grin. “It’s a family rule. Good sportsmanship and all that.”
“Excellent rule.” Though he couldn’t use Harry’s handholds trick, much as he would have liked to. Instead, he lifted the boy off Daisy’s lap, then helped her to her feet, taking her pale hands into his large, calloused ones. She began to protest, but her resistance seemed weak. Still holding her lovely hands in his, he slowly, tenderly leaned forward to touch his lips to her cheek. The afternoon, which had seemed quite unpromising at the start, now held great—
“Gabriel! What are you doing in front of these children?”
At least, it had been promising until his grandmother, sounding quite liverish and wearing a ridiculously large purple feather in her hair to match the purple silk of her gown, intruded. He might have found the ornament stylish, indeed quite fashionable, if she hadn’t just put him in foul humor. “Hello, Grandmama. Your timing is impeccable. What brings you here?”
He felt another jolt of disappointment as Daisy skittered out of his grasp, her fingers sliding from his with haste. Thou
gh he couldn’t be certain, she did seem as disappointed to let go as he was in letting her go.
“More to the point, what are the young Farthingales doing here?”
“Playing marbles,” Charles replied with youthful innocence. “Daisy lost, so we had to be good sports about it.”
Gabriel stifled a chuckle. “So you see, I had no choice. I was ordered to console her.”
Eloise eyed him shrewdly. “If memory serves me correctly, you’re better at giving orders than obeying them. In fact, you’re positively dreadful at obeying them.”
“Yes, but not in this instance. I couldn’t disappoint the children. What are you doing here? I don’t recall inviting you.”
“I was at Dayne Hall, which is where you should have been an hour ago.”
“Hellfire,” he mumbled softly so the children wouldn’t hear, but their eyes popped wide and their ears perked so he knew that despite his best intentions, they had heard. He’d forgotten all about the command performance for his parents.
“I volunteered to search for their derelict son. That means you, unless your father has taken steps to disown you, in which case you’ll soon be referred to as the—”
“You mean he hasn’t yet?” He sighed, already regretting the end of the surprisingly pleasurable afternoon. “Never mind. I’ll be along shortly.”
“I’ll wait,” Eloise intoned before he had the chance to suggest she run along ahead.
“We were just leaving,” Daisy assured, her cheeks once again an intense shade of crimson. Then she let out an adorably breathy groan that made Gabriel wish the rest of his guests would conveniently disappear so he could coax more breathy groans from her perfect lips. “I’ll fetch Lily.”
Eloise tossed him a withering look. “Lily’s here too?”
“Yes,” Dillie answered before anyone had the chance. “I’ll collect her. She’s in the library, no doubt looking for books on her latest passion—baboons.”
Dillie grabbed the boys and hurried out, leaving Gabriel alone with Daisy and his frowning grandmother. “Well, this is cozy,” Gabriel murmured as the three stared at each other in awkward silence.
