Daisy Read Online Free PDF Page B

room.
    “Apologies, Your Grace,” he said. “But my lady wishes to see Miss Chatterton immediately.”
    “Then tell her ladyship that Miss Chatterton is at present engaged,” said the Duke acidly, but Daisy was immediately on her feet.
    “I
must
go, Your Grace. It would be extremely rude of me to stay when my hostess wants me.”
    “As you wish,” said the Duke indifferently, picking up a book.
    “You should have stayed with His Grace,” said Curzon as soon as the door was closed. “My lady means mischief.”
    “Oh, Curzon. I am sure you are mistaken. I’m sure she’s really ever so kind.”
    “Don’t say
reelly
and don’t say ever so,” said Curzon reprovingly. “You’ll need to change your speech, miss, or you’ll have that lot making fun of you.”
    Daisy was too preoccupied with this new worry about speech to question him further about the Countess.
    The Countess was lying on a daybed wearing a filmy negligee which revealed more of her charms than Daisy or the townsfolk of Upper Featherington would have considered decent. Carefully averting her eyes, Daisy timidly ventured, “You wished to see me, my lady?”
    The Countess widened her eyes at the new Daisy. “Turning into a swan already, are we?” she murmured. And then in a stronger tone, “You realize old Neddie is not exactly paying for your keep?”
    Daisy hung her head.
    “Exactly. So that makes you a kind of poor relation. And poor relations must help out, mustn’t they? Cut my toenails!”
    “Pardon?” queried Daisy faintly.
    “Are you deaf? I said to cut my toenails. There are the scissors and here is the foot. Understand?”
    The Countess’s eyes were alight with malice.
    Daisy could see no way out. She took up the proffered scissors and gingerly took hold of the Countess’s foot.
    “What clammy little schoolgirl hands you have,” sneered the Countess. “And they’re
red
… just as red as your little nose is getting at the moment.” She suddenly kicked the kneeling Daisy on the chest and sent her flying across the room. “You cut me!” she screamed, her eyes dancing with spite.
    “What the hell is going on here?” roared a masculine voice as the Earl strode into the room. “Up to your tricks again, Angela? You are to leave Daisy alone, d’ you hear me? This is her home and she will stay as an honored guest.
    “Now come, my dear.” He put an arm around Daisy and lifted her gently to her feet. “Let me take you down to dinner. Little drink before-hand’s just what you need, eh?”
    Daisy gazed worshipfully into his blue eyes. It was like drowning in a warm blue sea. She could feel the strength of his arm around her tiny waist and his heady masculine smell of bay rum and cigars.
    “Oh, have some Madeira m’dear,” sneered the Countess. “Honestly, if you had mustachios, you’d twirl them.”
    The Earl slammed the door on her furious face. “Old cat,” he laughed with his arm still around Daisy. “Let’s forget about her.”
    Daisy laughed back, overcome with the heady excitement of having the Earl’s arm around her and hearing the elegant Countess described in such rude terms.
    They entered the drawing room arm in arm. “Hey, you yobs!” roared the Earl. “What d’ye think of our little schoolgirl now?”
    They all clustered around showering her with compliments as easily as they had showered her with insults.
They’re like… like jellyfish
, thought Daisy sadly. She had a sudden longing for the plain, honest, middle-class faces of the townspeople and their strong, sensible likes and dislikes. At least one knew where one stood.
    But the Earl had decided to be her escort for the evening and under his laughter and teasing, Daisy began to blossom. She was a good actress and carefully copied the accents she heard around her. The evening floated past, mostly taken up by an enormous dinner of bewildering and exotic dishes.
    Daisy’s head was reeling with the unaccustomed wine and unaccustomed flattery. Much