Gabriel struggled to keep his hands at his sides and not circled around his friend’s throat. “Don’t you ever speak of her that way. She’s clever and warm hearted. And we’re just a pair of condescending fools who don’t deserve her notice. If you ever—”
Ian smiled wickedly. “Gad, you’re gullible. The girl is obviously delightful, but I wasn’t sure you’d noticed.” His wicked smile broadened. “It is you, after all. Thank goodness!”
CHAPTER 5
A rake enjoys a tempting morsel. A lady will permit his eye to wonder, but never his hand to wander.
IAN’S SILLY GAME had gone on long enough, Gabriel decided.
He had to put a stop to it before Ian—in a drunken slip—did or said something foolish, perhaps revealed to Daisy that he, Gabriel, had been shot while breaking up a spy ring loyal to Napoleon, not while bedding a married woman.
Yes, he had to put an end to Ian’s game at once.
Daisy wasn’t meant for him. Indeed, Eloise had assured him that the girl was mad for his brother even though they hadn’t yet met. In effect, she’d fallen in love with Alex’s reputation. Gabriel was glad of it. Indeed, he was. Alex was a good sort, proper husband material, and a viscount to boot.
He, on the other hand, wasn’t suitable at all. He had a vile reputation, fully deserved, and he fully intended to do all in his power to uphold it. Now that he was home and his wounds were healed, he meant to spend his precious days making up for lost time in the company of loose women.
Love? Marriage?
Utter rubbish. Not for him.
He’d put an end to the nonsense by insisting Daisy dance with him, then calmly walk away once the set was through. That would put Ian and any fellow doubters in their place. All he had to do was find her in this crush.
Sweet, unspoiled Daisy.
Though he’d heard rumor of some incident in her past. Bah! He knew women, and she was still an innocent. He’d stake his life on it.
He spotted Eloise chatting with his cousin Graelem and approached them. “Have you seen Daisy?” he asked, not bothering with pleasantries.
The two exchanged smug glances.
“It’s a simple question,” he declared, growing impatient.
Graelem chuckled. “No, we haven’t seen her.”
“Well, not since she left the ballroom with Lord Hornby’s son,” Eloise added.
Gabriel regarded them incredulously. “And you let her go off with that... that... foolscap?”
Eloise shrugged. “You’re hardly considered a prize and we would have let her go off with you.”
No, you wouldn’t.
“I overheard him say something about getting Daisy alone in the conservatory,” Graelem teased. “You know, that steamy room filled with lush ferns and delicately scented flowers. Oh, and lots of dark hiding places. But don’t worry, I’m certain the thought of kissing Daisy hasn’t crossed his mind.”
Had Graelem and Eloise, even Ian, always been this irritating and he simply hadn’t noticed? Or had their characters changed for the worse during his absence from England? “The conservatory, you say?”
He marched through the crowded ballroom and strode past the gaming room and dining room, peering into each before proceeding down the long, dimly lit hallway. Is Lord Hornby too cheap to provide adequate candlelight for his guests? he thought testily.
He reached the door to the conservatory and was surprised to find it closed. He flung it open with his shoulder and immediately heard a giggle coming from behind an overgrown fern. Graelem truly had allowed Daisy to go off alone with that dull cabbage, Lumley! He couldn’t believe it! Daisy was obviously inexperienced, unaware of the games played at such ton gatherings. “There’ll be no more of that, young lady!”
He reached into the ferns and pulled out Dorothea Hobbs and the pimply-faced Tom Quigley. Dorothea squinted up at him, her lips curling in a too broad smile. “Lord Dayne, were you looking for me?”
“Er, pardon me. My mistake.” He backed out of the conservatory.
Where was Daisy?
He began to open doors along the hallway. Billiard room. Study. Lady Hornby’s parlor. Library.
He paused at the threshold of the library. “Daisy? What are you doing in here?”
She stood alone in the near dark, a lone, lit candle revealing her slight frame slumped against the fireplace mantel. “Please, leave me alone.”
“Are you crying?” He was certain he’d heard a sniffle mingled with her words.
“You needn’t concern yourself. You aren’t responsible for these tears.” She tensed as he stepped in and closed the door. “Just go away. I don’t need your condescension to complete my perfect evening.”