Page 24 of Miss Ellis Unleashed

He leaned close and whispered, “I also haven’t a cook like yours to make me feel so much better the next morning.”

Daisy couldn’t help but smile at that. “I could offer you the loan of mine.”

“She won’t leave you, and I’d think less of her if she did.” He sighed. “You inspire exceptional loyalty in your staff, Miss Ellis.”

“It’s my happy disposition,” she promised, flattered by his words. Her servants were her family. The only people she could count on, even though they were paid good wages to be there. Throsby hadn’t liked her spoiling them the way she did, and they’d squabbled about that constantly. “Perhaps my staff could train yours.”

“My stomach would know the difference,” he promised, hand on his flat belly. “Miss Ellis, I wonder if I might join you and your maid on your walk today?”

Daisy considered refusing. She always had during the guardianship. But he’d lost his cousin and might need a sympathetic ear. They always argued, but she would try not to today. “It would be a pleasure.”

“Thank you.”

Throsby did not offer his arm, he never had, but he sighed again as he fell into step beside her. They walked silently for a while, leaving her square and beginning her usual trek around the next one. The maid followed but at an increasing distance the farther they went. Daisy waved at her to hurry up, but it was Throsby’s scowl that brought her closer.

“How have you been?” he asked.

“I am always well,” she promised, twirling her parasol to hide her agitation over the maid’s silly behavior.

“And your friends? The Duke and Duchess of Mamble?”

“Well, I think. They’re gone from Town for a while but are expected back soon. Had you not seen Mamble at your club to know?”

“Ah, no. I have not patronized the club or attended society amusements for some time. Not since…well, our last evening together.”

She blushed, remembering their fiery exchange that night. And the kiss that followed. She blushed even harder as her eyes dipped to his lips. “Oh, I see. I suppose that is why I have not heard much of you since…”

“And you?” he asked quickly. “I assume you have been out in society a great deal…since.”

She looked up at him and noticed his scowl had finally returned. “Not really. I’ve been at home most nights, especially this week.”

“Oh. I assumed you would have continued as you had been. You were always keen for a party.”

“I am keen to meet with my friends anywhere,” she told him. “Whether out or at home.”

His scowl deepened. “You should be careful inviting your gentlemen into your home. No, forgive me—it is none of my business what you do anymore.”

She forgave him for forgetting it was not his place to lecture her about propriety or her friendships. Not after his recent antics. Yet he had always been protective of her reputation. But according to the one piece of gossip she’d heard about him, and the state she’d found him in a few days ago, he’d tossed aside his good sense and was headed for ruin himself. She did not want that.

“Well, I imagine your mistress has kept you busy lately?”

He looked down at her in clear surprise at the impertinent remark. “Where did you hear I had one?”

Daisy scowled at him. “I saw you leave her residence yesterday, before you went home to the wrong house. Were you too drunk to remember her, too?”

His face paled. “You should not have seen me in such a state. Forgive me.” He colored, and then shook his head. “As to the lady I left, it is not what you think.”

“I heard you won Norrington’s mistress in a game of cards,” she murmured with an arched brow. “Isn’t Norrington your maternal grandfather?”

She’d finally read Debrett’s Peerage and learned a thing or two about Throsby’s esteemed family tree.

“She’d become my cousin’s mistress lately, and she was distraught at first.” Throsby sighed. “She and Abelton hit it off, and I assume I left him sleeping in her bed.”

“I see.” She wet her lips. “But you have a lady of your own now, I trust?”

“I do not. I have not since…”

“Since?”