Page 45 of To Steal a Lyon’s Heart (The Lyon’s Den Connected World #85)

Lady Claystone’s hands turned to claws. “What do you suppose your parents are going to do with you now? A mousy bluestocking with a tattered reputation from her brother’s scandalous marriage.

No one will have you now. What will society think of your broken betrothal?

Whether they know the cause or not, you will always bear the brunt of society’s judgment, not my Cliffton.

Your family is nothing without the influence of my name.

Your mother has longed for this moment. What will you tell her? ”

“The truth,” Daisy said. “How does the truth sound? Cliffton married someone else.” Lady Claystone bared her teeth like an animal. “You can accept this or not. Either way, I am never marrying him. If you push me, I’ll ruin you and expose you for what you really are.”

“I accept,” Cliffton said.

“Fool!” Lady Claystone cried. “We need her dowry!”

“Mother, it’s too late.”

“It’s never too late. We could grab her and—”

Cliffton stepped in front of his mother. “Whatever you are about to suggest, please don’t. Go, Miss Blakewood. Go now. I’ll deal with her.”

Daisy backed away. Cliffton had never cared for her, but in this moment, it seemed he did have some honor, and he was letting her escape. Her heart was in her throat now as she hurried down the stairs and out the front door.

Mr. Chase stood outside the carriage, arms folded and looking a bit menacing. Daisy was shaking by the time she reached him.

“Is everything all right?” Amelia asked from the open door.

“Yes, it’s done, but we have to go.”

A loud screech of rage came from the house.

Mr. Chase followed her into the carriage, and the whip cracked.

“What the devil was that?” Amelia said.

Nausea rolled through her but so did elation. It was done. She’d faced that terrible woman, stood her ground, and now she was free. She wasn’t even afraid to tell her parents. Not anymore. She would tell them the truth—and show them, if need be—but ultimately, they’d have to agree.

“Lady Claystone,” Daisy said. “That was Lady Claystone realizing she can’t control me anymore.”

Daisy might have cried the entire journey back to Alston House, but they were tears of joy.

Mr. Chase took his leave at the front steps, and Amelia and Daisy hurried inside.

Her brother approached in the front hall, frowning as he looked from Daisy’s red, tear-streaked face to Amelia’s sparkling smile.

But there was no time to explain. She needed to tell Sam.

“What is going on?” her brother tried to block her from climbing the stairs, but Amelia pulled him away.

“Let her go. I’ll tell you everything I know.”

“Is she hurt?” Graham asked.

“No.” Amelia beamed. “She’s free.”

Daisy raced up the stairs to Sam’s room, breathless by the time she reached his door. She slipped inside and closed the door softly. Sam slept soundly on the bed.

Daisy removed her boots and cloak, her pelisse, and then her gown.

She slipped under the coverlet in her shift and silk stockings, curling against Sam’s body carefully.

She looked down at his bare chest. The long scar stretched the length of his side, a beautiful and violent reminder of the gift of life.

Daisy lightly dragged the pad of her finger down the scar and pressed her ear to his chest. His heartbeat thumped steadily, and she closed her eyes to the reassuring rhythm.

As her hand reached the lower end of his scar, he came awake.

“I knew you couldn’t resist me.” His warm breath teased the top of her head.

“What woman in her right mind would try?”

He touched her chin, tilting her face up to his. He frowned. “Have you been crying?”

Daisy smiled. “For good reasons.”

“Such as?” He slowly rolled toward her, pulling her into his chest. Daisy placed a kiss right over his heart.

“We’re free, Sam.”

“Free? What do you mean?”

She stared up at him. “Don’t be angry.”

His body stiffened. “About?”

“I went to the Den. Mrs. Dove-Lyon gave me the diary you stole, and I took it to Lady Claystone.”

He hissed out a curse. “Daisy, why would you—”

Daisy put a finger over his lips. “Hush. I need to finish. I told Cliffton and Lady Claystone that I’d never marry him. I told them our betrothal was officially over and there was nothing they could do, unless they wanted their disgusting secrets shared with the world.”

He frowned. “What was in the diary?”

“The truth. Cliffton is already married, and he has a son. They intended to erase the evidence and still have me marry him so that they could have my dowry.”

Sam’s forehead touched hers. “I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have had to do that alone.”

“I’m not. I needed to know how strong I could be. I was so... enraged. I think I frightened Cliffton.”

He kissed her forehead. “He never deserved you, but I am grateful he waited so long to marry you. It gave me the chance to steal your heart.”

“You cannot steal what is freely given.” Daisy smiled as he kissed her.

He pulled back. “You stole my heart, my breath, my wits. I was floundering in the dark and you stole that, too. You took it, and in return, you gave me light. I love you.”

“I love you, Sam.”