Page 31 of To Steal a Lyon’s Heart (The Lyon’s Den Connected World #85)

D aisy had paced her room until her feet hurt.

She was elated and yet frightened about a future that seemed too precious to grasp.

Her stomach revolted at the idea that she was going to break her engagement with Cliffton.

She was going to have to face Lady Claystone and ask—no, demand—for it to be ended, and just the thought might make her vomit.

She almost couldn’t believe the afternoon she’d had. Was it real? Had it been a fever dream? Her heart had not yet slowed, and her limbs weighed her down as though her body were begging for rest, but Daisy could not stop pacing. Her mind was spinning.

She covered her face, wanting to scream, but held it in.

What had she done?

She loved Sam. She wanted to be with him. But at the same time, she felt like she was running toward a cliff. Where was the drop? How much time did she have left to enjoy these moments with him before reality ripped him away?

Her door opened, and Merry blinked in surprise. “Miss Blakewood, I didn’t think you’d be in here. Normally about this time you’re with Lord Alston.” Merry paused and studied her.

Daisy hoped her recent activities weren’t scripted on her face.

“Are you well? You are flushed and dewy. Would you like a bath?”

“Yes. Some hot chocolate as well, please.”

“As soon as I put these away.” She went to the armoire and opened the drawer to put the folded stockings away. “Would you like to undress now?”

Daisy nodded. Her gown wanted to drag her to the floor.

Merry undid the back and helped Daisy wiggle free. She hung the gown, and Daisy took a blanket off the bed and wrapped it around herself, releasing a heavy-hearted sigh.

Merry frowned. “I beg your pardon, but are you feeling well? Would you like a tonic? Mrs. Keen has a miracle recipe. Or is it your monthly?”

Daisy shook her head. “Not for another week or so.”

“Very well, I’ll return shortly with the tub.”

Alone again, Daisy sat at her dressing table and stared at the door.

To break her betrothal would bring her family shame.

A sharp emotion worked its way up her throat, and Daisy sobbed.

She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t marry the man she loved, not at the expense of her family.

She loved them, too. Her parents had done everything for her, thinking they’d given her an opportunity for a good life of comfort and respectability, and here she wanted to toss their efforts aside.

Lady Claystone would not take kindly to the insult, and would certainly make life as difficult as she could for all of them. Cliffton... well, Daisy didn’t know if Cliffton would even care.

But she loved Sam. She wanted to be his wife. She wanted a husband who would love her, adore her, and let her be the person she desired to be.

Daisy covered her mouth. No, she either had to let Sam go or commit to forsaking her marriage vows and see him in secret. But she couldn’t do that. She couldn’t live such a deceitful life. She couldn’t love Sam and let another man also touch her. The very idea was revolting.

There was a knock on the door, and Daisy turned away, hiding her face as she hastily wiped at her tears.

She could hear the footmen set the tub down and buckets being poured.

Merry returned, humming as she set out the soaps and her brush, and the smell of rose oil filled the air.

Merry passed her and froze, then resumed her duties.

Daisy assumed she’d caught sight of her reddened face.

She was never good at hiding her feelings. She’d never be able to hide an affair.

Once the footmen finished and left, Daisy stood and dropped the blanket. Merry hovered by the tub, averting her gaze.

Daisy undressed and slipped into the hot water. A sigh of relief escaped her as she eased down, the tension in her body melting away.

“Miss?”

Daisy scooped water over her face to hide her tears. “Yes?”

“I can’t help but notice . . .”

“I miss my parents,” Daisy lied.

“Ah, I see. Will they return soon?”

They would. As soon as her father was able to travel comfortably. It wouldn’t be long. Once they returned, she’d have to leave Alston house, maybe London all together, and she wouldn’t see Sam.

“They’ll return at the end of the month,” Daisy said quietly, though in reality it could be sooner. What was one more lie?

Merry came around the back and began unpinning Daisy’s hair. “Is that all?”

Daisy tensed. “What else could it be?”

“I don’t mean to pry, but you seem... enamored of his lordship. A tender heart can be heavy to carry alone.”

Daisy smiled at the water, waving her hands through beads of rose oil. Enamored. What a lovely word, and yet it did not adequately describe the cataclysm of emotions she felt for Sam.

“Who wouldn’t be?” Daisy said somberly.

Merry chuckled. “Indeed.”

“I’m engaged, you know,” Daisy admitted. She wasn’t sure why.

Merry gasped. “You didn’t say anything about that!”

“I don’t like him.”

Mary’s excitement evaporated. “Oh.”

“His mother is terrible.” Daisy confessed. Had she ever said that out loud? She’d thought it almost every day, but had she ever told anyone how she truly felt? No. Not until Sam.

“That’s dreadful.”

“If I don’t marry him, I’ll shame my family. But if I do marry him, I’ll live the rest of my life loathing him and miserable. I’ll never have love.”

“Do you know him well?” Merry asked.

“Yes and no. Our marriage was arranged in infancy. I’ve met him many times growing up, but once he grew old enough to go away to school, he has rarely called on me. He spends all his time away. He doesn’t write me or care to see me. I don’t think he likes me either.”

“Then he’s an idiot. He deserves to be left at the altar. What man in his right mind would desert a peach like you?”

“I’m a peach?” Daisy laughed lightly.

“Indeed, you are. You should be happily married to a good man by now. Maybe he’ll die.”

Daisy gasped, choking back her laughter. “How can you say such a thing?”

“I didn’t say kill him, but anything could happen,” Merry said. “Look at Lord Alston. He’s as fit as a young lord can be, and then he fell from his horse, and we almost lost him.”

Daisy sobered. “I suppose that is true.”

“I have faith that something good will happen. You won’t be marrying that man.”

Daisy sank lower in the water. “I hope you’re right.”

“If it were me, I’d run away and marry someone else. You can’t get married twice.”

Daisy frowned. “But what about your family?”

“If they love me, they’ll forgive me. Yours will too. That brother of yours will not let you be miserable.”

“He isn’t a rule breaker.”

“He broke all the rules and then some to be with Lady Amelia.”

“He did?” Daisy supposed she knew this, but it was hard to imagine her brother behaving recklessly. She was sure if he bent a rule, it was because the rule was faulty, not him. But he did seem different now. Not as rigid, and he smiled more.

“But it was so romantic. The wedding they held at Lord Alston’s bedside could melt the coldest of hearts. We filled the room with candles and flowers, and though we were already grieving, to see them wed brightened the house with a little hope. I’d never seen two people so in love.”

Daisy lay her head back as her hair sank into the water. “I wish I could have seen it.”

Merry stood and collected the pins. “If there is one thing worth fighting for, it’s love.

I learned that by watching them. Love is what drove Lady Amelia to save her brother at any cost, and love is what brought Lady Amelia and Mr. Blakewood together.

Love is powerful. I’ll leave you to your bath now. ”

“Thank you, Merry.”

Daisy looked up at the ceiling and pondered Merry’s words. If love was so powerful, then maybe it would be strong enough to fight Lady Claystone and Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Maybe it would be powerful enough that her family would forgive her.

Hours later, Daisy had put herself back together.

Her talk with Merry had done wonders for her and given her something to grasp instead of falling headlong into the unknowns of her worry.

Daisy wondered what Sam was doing, if he had been saddened by her sudden disappearance, but he had not come to her.

Or maybe he couldn’t? He would have sent a note, wouldn’t he?

When the knock fell on her door Daisy’s heart leapt, but it was Amelia on the other side. Her smile and eyes were lit with joy.

“Are you coming to dinner?”

“Yes, am I late?”

“No, but we’ve had a change of venue.”

“Oh, yes. Lord Alston switched rooms.”

“Yes, he did, but tonight we’re all dining in the downstairs and celebrating.”

Daisy swallowed. Had he told them already? Without her? Did she want to be present for that conversation? Daisy tried to marshal all these questions.

“Come quickly. Cook has made roast duck in orange sauce, Sam’s favorite.”

“It is?” Daisy loved duck. “I didn’t know that.”

“Why would you?”

“I don’t know. I spend so much time talking to him, but it has never come up.”

“How often have you talked about food specifically?” Amelia asked with a teasing smile.

“Well . . .” Not much. If at all.

“Does he know about your hot chocolate fascination?”

“Yes, he noticed I asked for it quite a bit. I haven’t seen him eat duck.”

“We don’t usually. I hate it.”

Daisy grabbed Amelia’s arm. “You hate it?”

Amelia nodded. “I can’t eat it without thinking of little ducklings. Sam does not eat it when I’m present. But tonight, I will make an exception for him. We have so much to celebrate.”

“Is there any food he hates?” Daisy asked as they started to walk again.

“Gelatin,” Amelia said. “Anything encased in gelatin. He loathes the way it wiggles.”

Daisy smiled at that. “No gelatin then.”

They stepped lightly down the main stairs together, and as the doors to the dining room appeared, candlelight filled the entry, and both her brother and Sam could be heard talking.

Her heart climbed up her throat as they entered.