Daisy was glad that she had at least one less thing to be concerned about. She allowed the girl to dress her however she wished and was glad that she was ready well in advance of the appointed time to gather. She hurried to the drawing room where she knew there was an escritoire for the guests to use. Since she had already composed the note in her head, Daisy was able to quickly pen the letter she planned to send back to Charlotte as soon as possible.
My very dear Charlotte,
Thank you so much for your note. I hope this missive finds you well. I am having a wonderful time here. The weather is lovely. We have been spending time out of doors and there is to be a dance at the end of the week.
I cannot imagine why my former acquaintances might be looking for me, but surely it cannot be so urgent that it cannot wait until sometime after my return.
With warmest regards,
Miss Margaret Pembroke
After sanding the paper and carefully folding it, Daisy went in search of the butler. “Mr. Bloom, would it be possible for this to be posted at the earliest convenience?”
“Absolutely, Miss Pembroke, I will see to it right away.” The butler gestured for an attentive footman to see to the matter.
“Thank you, Mr. Bloom.” Daisy was grateful to have the matter settled as well as possible under the circumstances.
Settling herself in the parlour where the houseguests gathered before meals, Daisy was doing her best not to fidget when the viscount strolled into the room. Seeing her already there, he raised his eyebrows in surprise and made his way toward her.
“You are remarkably prompt for a young lady,” he commented with something resembling censure in his voice.
“I find myself remarkably hungry this evening,” she offered as way of an excuse while the heat rose in her cheeks. Daisy suspected she ought not mention the state of her stomach, despite the fact that she was so nervous she doubted she would feel hungry again until this week was well behind her.
Feeling the viscount’s steady gaze searching her face, she launched into a convincing dialogue on the delights she had enjoyed that day.
Jasper gazed at her with skepticism. “Until this moment, you have never struck me as the type to babble. Whatever is wrong with you?”
The colour rose in Daisy’s cheeks once more, but she made every effort to maintain a neutral expression upon her face. “I am not sure what you mean, my lord.”
Jasper did not wish to press her, especially as he saw that the room had begun to fill. He was worried about the chit, a thought that brought a degree of disgust to his mind. This scheme was supposed to have been simple — spend a few days in the country with his family, get his money, and go home. She was supposed to just be a tool in his effort to get what he wanted. Of course, he never wanted her to get hurt in the process, but he hadn’t intended to really care about her feelings. Here he was hoping it wasn’t too much for her. Clearly I have been spending too much time with ladies of late, he thought with disdain, he was becoming missish. He was relieved when the butler announced that dinner was served.
Being a viscount, even though they were in the country and everything was much more relaxed than at a London dinner party, he was obviously not going to be able to escort Daisy in to the table. He found himself looking at her once more to ensure she would be all right, while he left her side to escort the lady his mother was indicating with her raised eyebrows.
Daisy, intercepting his look and correctly interpreting the concern she read there, smiled and waved him away. “My lord, do be serious, I shall be perfectly fine with whomever your mother pairs me. Now get on with you.”
Jasper turned and offered his elbow to a dowager countess of somewhere he could not at the moment remember, grateful that she was a chatty sort and did not require his full attention. When they got to the dining room, he was relieved to see that his mother had seated him next to Daisy. He could not monopolize her conversation for the evening, but he would be able to keep his eye on her and help her out if she needed.
~~~
Finally, the marchioness stood to signal for the ladies to leave the gentlemen to their port. Daisy felt as though her nerves were strung tighter than the strings of the harp in the parlour. It was sitting there for anyone to use if they so wished. The night before, Daisy had found this time between dinner and bed to be enchanting and had delighted in the games and laughter that had made the time fly by. Now all she wanted to do was be alone in her room to ponder her options.
“Do you play, my dear?” Daisy had been too preoccupied to notice the marchioness approach.
Daisy shook her head ruefully. “I am rather more conventional than that. I only play the pianoforte, I am afraid.”
“That is perfectly all right, my dear,” Lady Abernathy replied. “You will have all the more appreciation for my daughter’s skills.”
Daisy giggled over the marchioness’ words. “I am sure it will be delightful to hear,” she managed to reply politely.
A few minutes later, when Jasper’s sister sat down behind the large instrument, Daisy discovered it was not just parental pride behind the marchioness’ words. The countess played beautifully. Daisy found it mesmerizing to watch the other woman pluck the strings, bringing forth a haunting melody that filled the entire room. Emotion stung the back of her throat.
“Have you never heard the harp played before, Miss Pembroke?” Lady Abernathy asked, peering closely as a tear slipped down Daisy’s cheek.
Blushing furiously, Daisy hurried to wipe the moisture away with a watery chuckle. “I have not,” she admitted. “I am uncertain if I consider it a pleasure or not,” she continued with a laugh.
“You must feel deeply to have it affect you so,” the marchioness commented with approval as she patted Daisy’s arm before bustling away to check on her other guests.
Daisy watched her circulate the room seeing to the comfort of her many guests. “Our mother is a wonder, is she not?” Daisy frowned over her lack of attention that evening. Once again she was surprised by a member of Jasper’s family approaching her.
“Lady Welland, that was beautifully done,” Daisy complimented.
“Thank you, but please, you must call me Elizabeth, or Bess if you would like. And if I may, I would like to call you Margaret.” Jasper’s sister was ready to be friends, making the guilt churn a little stronger in Daisy’s belly.
“To be honest with you, I may not answer if you call me Margaret. All my friends call me Daisy.”
“Very well, Daisy. How does it come to pass that you have never had the pleasure of hearing the harp being played?” Both of them turned to gaze at the instrument in question, which was now being plucked by another young lady with far less skill than Bess had demonstrated. “Well, perhaps it could not be referred to as a pleasure at the moment.” They shared a quiet chuckle at the other girl’s expense.
“At least she has the bravery to make an attempt.” Daisy, always the peace keeper, felt the need to excuse the other girl’s lack of skill.
“I would beg leave to point out that is not bravery, that is foolhardiness. But never mind about her. I would like to hear all about you. Surely you realize my brother has never asked our mother to invite anyone to one of these parties, let alone a young lady.”
Now Daisy’s cheeks were on fire. She looked around the room, wondering how best to handle the countess. This brought a giggle to the other woman.
“Oh, do not look so nervous, my dear. I promise I have no intention of interrogating you. In all honesty, I am delighted to have made your acquaintance. We had all despaired of Jasper ever settling down. I never thought I would see the day that he actually seems to be concerning himself about another person. I applaud you.”
Once again, when a member of Jasper’s family disparaged him, Daisy could not stand for it idly. “I have found your brother to be a very caring gentleman. He has even been all that is kind to my maid, who is a rather shy girl. I find he manages to make himself smaller when he speaks to her.
I am not sure how he does it, since he is such a large man, but it does set her at ease a trifle.”
Bess was gazing at Daisy in fascination. “You have been watching him rather closely, have you not, Miss Daisy?” she teased. “Very well, if you do not wish to tell me about yourself, and you also do not wish to hear me speak ill of my brother, let us play a game. I see my darling earl is helping to set up the table for a game of loo. Do you think my brother would be willing to make up a foursome with us?”
Jasper had just sidled up to them and thus heard his sister’s question. “Are you not afraid I shall trounce you, Bessy?”
His sister stuck her tongue out at him, causing the trio to join in good natured laughter.
“It has been years since I have played, but I would love to try,” Daisy exclaimed after the laughter subsided, causing both siblings to look at her as though she had two heads. “Is aught amiss?” she did not understand their dubious expressions.
“You played loo as a child?” Bess asked, her surprise making the question hesitant.
Daisy’s features settled into what she hoped was a face of indifference but she feared was the look of a frightened doe. Unsure of why they were both looking at her in such a way, Daisy forced a nonchalant shrug. “Did you not learn to play as children?”
Jasper, the one who usually wanted all around him to think he was so worldly and blasé, shook his head pompously and said, his voice prim, “Our parents did not think it seemly for their children to gamble.”
Daisy burst into laughter. “You are too droll, my lord. I did not have anyone to play with, so my parents spent time with me. They found the nursery games too dull after a time, so they taught me their favorite games. Of course, we played for buttons rather than money. So I would not say it was gambling precisely, but yes, I did spend many evenings of my childhood gaming with my parents.”
Daisy was so pleased by the pleasant memory of her parents that she heaved a sigh. She could see from the dual looks of sympathy upon Jasper and Bess’ faces that her own features had turned to melancholy. Forcing a cheerful smile to her lips, Daisy asked, “So shall we play? I fear I am rusty, and I wonder if my winning streak the last time I played was merely because my parents were cajoling a child, but I am ready to find out.”
Jasper held a chair for her as she took her seat at the table. The earl was fussing with the cards and complaining good naturedly that he would prefer to be partnered with Jasper, as he was certain his wife’s skills had not improved since the last time they had played.
Daisy smiled as she watched Bess swat her husband playfully. “You are not gallant, my lord,” she declared with a pout as the earl wiggled his eyebrows at her. Until this moment, Daisy had thought the earl to be severe and cold, but now she realized why Jasper had declared his sister’s marriage to be a love match. Of course, being a man, he had said it with such a tone of disgust. But Daisy was happy to see that, although it was not the fashion, it was still possible to witness a happy marriage. She contained the small sigh that wished to escape her lips.
She must not have been entirely successful, as Jasper turned to her with half a smile tilting his face. “They are rather disgustingly happy together, are they not? It almost gives one a toothache to look at them.”
Daisy smiled back at him. “It does a heart good to see,” she insisted.
“Maybe a girl’s heart,” Jasper teased before turning to his brother in law. “Are you going to deal or make calf’s eyes at my sister all night?”
Obviously the earl was used to the viscount’s ribbing, as he merely glanced at Jasper with a haughty eyebrow raised before he began to spread out the cards to the players.
Much to Daisy’s surprise, the evening passed quickly. What felt like a couple minutes later, Lady Abernathy was standing to indicate the time had arrived for the guests to retire for the night. Looking around, Daisy noticed that several of the guests had already left the room.
“Thank you for a delightful evening, my lady,” Daisy said to the marchioness as she was taking her leave.
“I am pleased to hear you have been enjoying yourself, Miss Pembroke. I wish you a good night.”
Daisy curtsied to the room at large before making her way to her chamber.
~~~
“Your friend is quite delightful, my son,” Lady Abernathy declared without preamble. “I do wonder at her judgment, as she is here as your guest,” she began to tease before growing serious once more. “It is a wonder that I have never met her before, as she is clearly not fresh from the schoolroom.”
“Her parents’ death prevented her from having her Season,” Jasper explained.
“Ah, that might explain it,” his mother accepted. “She is very well mannered and seems comfortable with her surroundings, which is a relief. When you asked me to invite someone I had never heard of, I will admit to you I was worried she was going to be some country bumpkin you had picked up just to be annoying.”
Jasper was surprised by his mother’s words, and heat rose in his cheeks at realizing how close to the truth she had come. While Daisy was not a country bumpkin, he had picked her up, not to be annoying, but his motivations were not at all noble. Daisy’s dislike of falsehood must be contagious; he hesitated to lie to his mother and smiled at her instead.
“I do agree with you — Miss Daisy is a delight. I am happy you are enjoying her company nearly as much as I am,” he finally managed to reply.
“The only trouble is, my son, I do believe the young lady sees you too clearly. I have my doubts that she will marry you.”
Jasper felt the blood draining from his head. He actually felt faint for a brief second and knew he had paled. He hated for his parents to ever be aware when they hurt him. Feeling his father’s sharp gaze, Jasper held onto his composure by a thread.
“Have no fear, Mother, I can be very convincing.” He allowed his lips to form into a lecherous smile, knowing full well it would shock her, wholeheartedly glad that Daisy was not here to witness this exchange.
As he expected, his mother gasped her shock, but she was not actually overly surprised. The marquis, on the other hand, kept his cold gaze steady on Jasper. “Do not speak in such a way in front of your mother,” he declared firmly.
“I did not say anything untoward, my lord,” Jasper replied, his chin rising to a proud angle, his flinty gaze matching his father’s.
Bess’ eyes flitted from face to face of her gathered family, and she uttered a nervous laugh. “Come now everyone, it is late and we are all tired. We must not be so shocked that Jasper has finally found a young lady to take an interest in. Should we not be grateful and supportive? Surely it is about time, would you not agree?”
The marquis and marchioness shared a glance before turning their twin stares of disappointment at their only son. Answering Bess, they acknowledged her words, “You are no doubt correct, Elizabeth, it is about time.” The marquis’ drawl was haughty, hinting that even this the viscount could not do correctly.
Jasper knew his smile was bordering on a snarl but he couldn’t bring himself to straighten it out.
“We ought to ensure his financial situation is sorted out so the poor girl does not lose interest in him,” the marchioness said to her husband.
He knew he should be happy about her words, it was why they were here after all, but it felt like one more slap across the face, and he was unsure if he would be able to swallow it.
“Daisy, did you need something?” Bess asked, louder than necessary, hoping the other girl hadn’t heard the exchange.
Daisy stood just inside the doorway, looking from one face to the other of Jasper and his family. “I hope I am not interrupting, my lady, I forgot my shawl when I left.”
Jasper was surprised to see the generous smile gracing his mother’s lips. “Not at all my dear, come right in.”
Daisy scurried over to the chair she had been sitting upon, snatching up her wrap hastily, while keeping a worried eye on Jasper. He offered her a reassuring smi
le, but he could tell from the look in her eyes that she was not fully convinced.
“I was just heading above stairs, allow me to walk with you.” The marchioness was all graciousness.
His lovely little companion, who knew nothing of the two-faced world his parents inhabited, smiled with delight over the attentions of the older woman. They bade the others another goodnight, and Jasper watched as the two women drifted from the room arm in arm.
Bess shot her brother a sympathetic glance before she took her father’s arm and stole his attention so Jasper could quit the room before any more words were exchanged.
Chapter Nine
“What was that I walked into last night?”
Jasper tried to feign ignorance, but it was impossible in the face of Daisy’s warm concern.
“That was my loving, maladjusted family showing their concern that you would come to your senses and realize what a terrible catch I am. The good news is I am to get the money. My mother fears you will recognize me as a terrible bargain if I am not better situated.”
“Oh Jasper,” Daisy began, sympathy oozing from each syllable before she caught herself on the familiarity and drew back. “I mean, my lord,” she corrected herself but continued in her caring tones. “Are you all right? I am sure you are relieved about the money, but that was not exactly how you intended to accomplish it.”
Jasper patted the small hand tucked into the crook of his elbow. His stomach turned over at how right it felt to have her there at his side. She was little more than a stranger he had hired to play a role, but she offered him more emotional care than anyone in his family. It would be easy to get used to. He shook himself from such a ridiculous notion. He had absolutely no interest in getting himself leg shackled. And the young woman had been quite clear that she had no intention of involving herself in any other type of association.
“I am perfectly fine. It is exactly what we came here for. I knew you were the perfect accessory.”
A Dangerous Debut: A Sweet Regency Romance (Ladies of Mayfair Book 5) Page 8