Page 17 of To Steal a Lyon’s Heart (The Lyon’s Den Connected World #85)
D aisy stopped outside Alston’s door, closing it softly as she bit her cheek to keep from squealing.
At first, she was awkward, but having something to focus on, like his exercises, actually made it easier.
They had a common goal to achieve. They hadn’t talked much, but there was a comfortable silence as they worked together to move his leg.
And once it was done, she should have left promptly and not have wanted to continue their time together.
But now she wanted to talk. She wanted to know about his life and the things he enjoyed. What did he do before he got hurt? Were there more games he could teach her? She had so many questions.
Daisy turned to head down the main stairs when she heard a soft hiccup behind her. She turned slowly, not knowing who might have caught her leaving Alston’s room. Hopefully, only a ghost.
Miss Smith stared at her with wide eyes.
“Oh, you frightened me.” Daisy placed a hand over her pounding heart.
“Indeed. I was surprised as well, to see a young lady leaving a gentleman’s room.”
Daisy’s arms prickled with chills. “Um, yes, that. We’re family. I was just going to see if my brother and Lady Amelia were going to join us for lunch.”
“I believe they are.”
“Yes, but I will also need my shawl.”
Miss Smith nodded and continued on into Alston’s room. Daisy hurried up the stairs to her room, slipping inside and grabbing the shawl Amelia had lent her. At the same moment she sat at her dressing table, Amelia knocked on her open door.
“Come in,” Daisy said, still a little breathless from her sprinting.
“There you are. Your parents have responded at last. Here.” Amelia held out a letter.
Daisy eagerly broke the seal and read her mother’s elegant writing. They could not return immediately, her mother wrote, due to her father’s sprained knee and agreed Daisy could stay with her brother until they returned. Daisy’s heart floated with relief.
“Good news, I hope?” Amelia asked.
“My father sprained his knee again, so they can’t return immediately. To ride or sit in a carriage is too painful until the swelling goes down. It’s becoming a common issue for him.”
“Oh dear, that sounds awful.”
Daisy nodded but then smiled. “But it means I don’t have to leave yet.”
Amelia smiled back. “Are you ready to meet my brother?”
“We’ve met,” Daisy said before she could catch herself. “Two years ago.”
“Well, you can meet him again. He might not be quite as you remember. The accident has altered him more than just physically.”
He had changed since their last meeting two years ago.
He was so much more than what she remembered.
Daisy stood, willing her heart to stop its racing rhythm.
Amelia linked her arm with Daisy’s, and they collected her brother from the hall and went downstairs.
Daisy stood back as Amelia knocked on Alston’s door and then entered the room first, greeting her brother cheerfully. Blakewood waved her in.
“Don’t be nervous,” he whispered.
“I’m not,” she lied. She was nervous. This was all a performance, and she suddenly realized she was not an actress. Her heart was pounding. She’d have to pretend this was their first meeting after two years, and she had no idea how to behave. She walked in ahead of her brother.
“Miss Blakewood, what a pleasure to see you again.”
His eyes seemed to watch her with a glow, like he was anticipating her words, knowing he’d enjoy whatever she said. It made her whole body warm when he looked at her.
“Good day, Lord Alston. I’m happy to see you are recovering well.” Daisy didn’t think she had enough inflection in her tone to be convincing, but no one seemed to notice how Sam was smiling at her, his gaze locked to hers.
“Please, call me Alston. We’re family now.”
Amelia and Blakewood talked animatedly as they took their chairs at the table that had been moved closer to Alston’s bedside so they could eat together.
This was dangerous, Daisy thought. She was betrothed, contractually bound to Cliffton, and behaving exactly the way she’d been forbidden to.
Was this why Lady Claystone had always kept a careful eye on Daisy’s social calendar, staying by her side, limiting her acquaintances to only those deemed acceptable?
Had Lady Claystone guessed that Daisy would be so susceptible to a man’s charms?
But they weren’t doing anything wrong, Daisy reminded herself.
As long as her thoughts about his stunning looks, or the way his hair caught the golden light, or the way his voice deepened and made her tingle in low places remained steadfastly inside her head, their friendship was safe.
Besides, why shouldn’t she have this friendship, or whatever it was?
She was already chained to someone who didn’t care to talk to her, laugh with her, or teach her card games.
No man had ever made her feel this way, held her attention so effortlessly, like Alston did.
Especially not Cliffton. No one would know but her about this secret infatuation.
Alston was safe. Not only because he was bedridden, for now, but because he was her brother’s friend and Amelia’s brother.
She didn’t have to worry about him speaking to the wrong person and her behavior being reported back to the countess.
This was an opportune moment she couldn’t miss by being afraid. She was tired of the loneliness that came with being a woman engaged to an apathetic fiancé.
A footman carried in a large tray of food. Plates of roast beef sandwiches, cheese, berries, and bread pudding were set on the table.
“My appetite is growing,” Alston stated.
“Here, let me.” Daisy served him a bit of everything.
“Cheese, the food of the gods,” Alston said. Daisy giggled and then turned to see her brother and Amelia watching her.
“Am I missing a party?”
All four of them turned to look toward the door where a man with black hair and bright blue eyes sauntered in.
“This is a family affair,” Amelia said shortly.
Daisy bit her lip, surprised by her hostility. This must be the man Merry had spoken of—not the doctor, but the business associate. Mr. Chase from the Lyon’s Den. But given the tension in the room, this man was not welcome, and she didn’t understand why.
“Is it? I think I’m close enough. I did play a vital role in saving Lord Alston’s life. I’m here every day and I know more about each of you than you’d like me to.”
“You are as annoying as Nelson,” Alston grumbled. “Always lurking where you’re not wanted.”
Mr. Chase frowned and put a hand over his heart. “I should call you out for that. I’ve met pigeons with more honor than your cousin.”
“Agreed.”
“Don’t insult the pigeons,” Amelia said.
“Miss Blakewood, a pleasure to meet you, at last.” Mr. Chase said to her.
Daisy tensed. How did he know her name?
“Proper introductions have not been made,” Amelia said.
Daisy set a fig on Alston’s plate, and when she glanced at him, he was scowling viciously at Mr. Chase.
Her brother cleared his throat, but it sounded more like a growl. “Might as well. It was inevitable, given his profession. Daisy, this is Mr. Chase. Mr. Chase, this is my sister, Miss Daisy Blakewood.”
“How do you do, Mr. Chase?” Daisy said softly, looking between Mr. Chase and her brother apprehensively.
“Very well, thank you, Miss Blakewood. But alas, I am here on business and cannot stay to enjoy your company. Miss Smith, does our patient fare well?”
Miss Smith looked up from where she was stitching something in a chair by the fire and nodded. “Still improving day by day, Mr. Chase.”
“But not yet out of bed?”
“In time.”
“Yes, in time. But not yet,” Alston said coldly.
Daisy hid her frown by looking down at her plate. She knew he was intent on keeping his exercise a secret, but there was a confusing undercurrent of tension here.
“Understood. I have errands to run, so I won’t tarry, but I’ll return later to fetch Miss Smith. Hopefully your mood will have improved by then.” He left without another word.
Daisy looked between them in confusion as they glowered at his retreating form.
“Why do we not like him?” Daisy asked.
Amelia shook her head and nodded toward Miss Smith.
Daisy’s confusion deepened. Now Miss Smith was also an unwelcome visitor?
“He’s a toad,” Alston said unabashedly. “Slimy warts and all.”