EPISODE ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN THE RIGHT KIND OF WIFE

EPISODE ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN

THE RIGHT KIND OF WIFE

T he pain in Daisy s heart was so profound that she could hardly draw breath. She d known how Miles felt before he confirmed it, and most of society probably agreed with his judgment. So why did it feel as if she d taken a blow to the gut?

Because it was his opinion. Miles was important to her, despite her attempts to convince herself otherwise. It hurt to look at him, so she concentrated on shaking out her skirts, her hands trembling. Thank you for your honesty. If you ll excuse me-

His voice rumbled from his chest. None of those things mattered. I did think you were impulsive and too young. I was furious that you lied to me. But none of that matters.

Daisy looked down at the hand curled around her upper arm. I have to leave, Miles.

Did you ever wonder why you kept running into me during the Season, given that Clementine is engaged and my younger sisters are living in Bath? I had no reason to attend society s events, yet I went to any event where I thought you might appear. I looked for you everywhere I went.

No, you were looking for a wife, she reminded him. Everyone knew that. The-the right kind of wife. Not me. You scarcely danced with me. The air in her lungs felt heated. That s enough, she said, spinning around and heading for the door. I trust you can arrange for the annulment in my absence.

I refuse.

Hand on the door, Daisy looked over her shoulder. Miles was wearing a scowl so black that a nervous person would run blubbering from the room. She squared her shoulders and turned around fully. You have no choice. This marriage is not yet legal.

Do you know what I think about, seeing you against the wall like that?

This isn t a wall. It s a door.

The night the back of your gown fell to the floor. You were fearless while many women would have gibbered in terror and embarrassment. Yes, I desired you. But I was also so proud of you. Proud to even know you. I would have told you the next day, but your mother made it clear that I should stay away from you. Frankly, I felt the same about your escapade in the Tower.

Daisy felt behind her for the latch. Nonsense. You ve repeatedly chastised me for that. Repeatedly!

I felt proud, he said flatly. Angry because you might have got into trouble by foxing the guards at the Tower of London, but also awed. You managed to smuggle in a file , which hadn t been done since the 1500s.

But you said-

I didn t want to feel that way. Why should I be proud of a girl who makes me ache with desire at the mere sight of her lips? Who laughs at me and pokes fun and prefers to spend her time with Frederick? Who not only didn t faint after her gown fell apart, but looked at me with aching desire in her eyes?

Pride implies ownership, Daisy observed. You were not my suitor nor even my friend.

I was the man who was falling in love with you. One of many.

Her mouth fell open, gracelessly. She couldn t force out a word.

Miles walked toward her slowly. I am in love with you, Daisy. I considered you mine long before your dress fell off, though I didn t allow myself to acknowledge the fact. You described yourself walking to my house like a homing pigeon? I saw you at that damned masquerade and went to you like the homing pigeon s mate.

Daisy s heart felt as if it was beating in her mouth. But you were trying to to find a woman at Rothingale s house.

He shook his head. No. I was about to leave when I caught sight of your hair.

Because you wanted to buy me, Daisy pointed out. She didn t try to suppress the jaundiced edge in her voice.

Surprisingly, he smiled. I don t suppose you respect my decision to accept Rothingale s invitation? He did warn me, earlier in the day, that the attendees would be high-flyers. Strumpets, he clarified.

No, I do not respect that decision, she said, fuming. She crossed her arms over her chest. I attended that vulgar event due to a misunderstanding, but you went there looking to hire a woman for the night. Who could possibly respect that ?

His hand curled around her cheek. We won t respect every decision our spouse has made or will make, darling. We ll just have to apologize for our mistakes. I promise I will never attend anything like that masquerade again. I will never again consider sleeping with a woman other than my wife. I chastised you for fibbing, as if I hadn t done far worse. I deserve your disdain.

I stole your ability to marry another woman, Daisy pointed out.

He laughed. Do you know how close Cropley, that idiot suitor of yours, came to being cut into small pieces for having the presumption to kiss you?

She blinked. Really?

You think I m civilized? I m not. You left my bed, and I found you an hour later sleeping next to another man. If Frederick wasn t who he is, I would have wrenched him out of your embrace and killed him. I ve always prided myself on civility, so it s been a terrific shock to discover my barbaric instincts. It turns out that I m ruthless, ungentlemanly, and thoroughly uncivilized. If you ever curl up next to Frederick again, I ll slay him.

You wouldn t. He s your friend. Your best man!

Dead, Miles said with conviction. He wants to steal the most important person in my life. He would give anything to marry you.

Daisy stared at him. Miles s voice was always deep, but now it had lowered to a masculine growl that his acquaintances in the House of Lords wouldn t have recognized. His elegant features had taken on a ruggedness that eclipsed the composure he generally displayed to the world.

A disconcerting flicker of heat made itself known in her belly.

You told me that you were rarely homicidal, she pointed out.

It s true except where you re concerned. That said, I can control myself. I didn t kill your father, though I was tempted.

My father. Daisy drew in a sharp breath. What happened with my father? I refuse to give Belle up, no matter what either of you say.

I promised to pay off his debts. He will stay out of brothels from now on. After his many-times-removed cousin dies in India, he will relinquish guardianship of Belle to us.

If I move to Belgium, no one will ever guess that she s not my daughter, Daisy said, feeling as if she were grasping at a straw to try to stay above water.

His eyes narrowed. Belle is my daughter too.

Nonsense, she said, tossing her head. More curls promptly fell down her back.

Do you think that I would walk the floor all night with just any screaming child?

Daisy opened her mouth, but Miles interrupted. My turn to speak. I fell in love with your half-sister the first time Belle graced me with her adorably beaming smile. I was in a rage when I threatened to give her to your father. And I was exhausted. I said things I didn t mean and that shame me to remember them.

Hobbs told me you have that tendency, Daisy said slowly.

When I m tired, I say things impulsively . Irrationally . He stopped and looked at her expectantly.

Oh.

I also behave irrationally, slamming out of the house and leaving my naked wife on our bed. I try not to make the same mistake twice. I won t do it again.

You won t? Daisy had that dizzy feeling again, as if she d been swept into a hurricane.

We won t leave the bedroom for three days. His eyes were alight with raw hunger.

No. She couldn t believe what she was hearing. Miles was saying things that she hadn t even dared to imagine. About her.

About her .

You ought to disdain me for my mistakes, he said, missing her point. I m irrational and irresponsible, and I stupidly dashed off to scold your father. I m an idiot. Please forgive me. His voice ached with emotion as a big hand reached out to cradle her cheek.

I forgive you, Daisy said. But

But?

I m not sure that I want to remain married to you. It s not merely because I forced you to marry me, she said, bumbling into an explanation. It all happened so fast that I m not sure that I-

You love me, Miles interrupted.

Well, I was infatuated, Daisy said awkwardly.

No, you love me.

She cleared her throat. Be that as it may, I m not sure I want to be your wife. If we consummated the marriage, it would complicate annulment.

Everyone in London knows we re married. He braced his hands on the door on either side of her, his eyes fixed on her face. Frederick told me to consummate our marriage on his couch.

Daisy shuddered. Ew!

One side of his mouth eased into a reluctant smile. He was grateful when I declined. My point is that it s too late to change your mind.

I disagree, Daisy argued. This is a huge decision, and I rushed you into it.

Actually, I rushed you into it, Miles said. I announced that we had to marry immediately. I could have suggested a ceremony in a week or a month. Belle might have been sent to the country, and we could have married ceremoniously in the cathedral with hundreds in attendance, and no baby to complicate the picture.

Oh.

Daisy slowly let his words filter into her mind.

Into her heart.

I was determined to marry you, Miles said. The moment I saw an opportunity, I proclaimed that it would happen the very next day.

There was no real reason for the rush, was there? Daisy asked.

None other than my desperation to get my ring on your finger. His voice wasn t rumbling any longer; it was warm and tender. He leaned closer and brushed his lips over her forehead.

Daisy had never felt more confused in her life.

You didn t force me to marry you. If any other woman had strolled into my room with a baby, I would have offered help and sent her away. But you? The moment you walked in with a tiny replica of yourself, the only thing I could think was that I had to make you mine, whether some other man fathered your baby or no.

Daisy had a sinking feeling that his smile could convince her of anything. I should see how Belle is doing. She felt behind her for the latch once again.

I will court you, Miles said huskily. He bent his head and nipped her bottom lip. When she opened her mouth, his tongue met hers.

She dropped the latch and swayed toward him as his arms wrapped around her. When he was kissing her, she didn t feel like a bag of laundry; her body felt plush and right, designed to press against his hard contours.

They kissed until Daisy felt as if her body blazed with heat, as if a sheet of fire roared over her. Miles finally pulled back, looking at her with aching hunger.

Desire is not enough for marriage, she blurted out shakily.

After another devouring kiss, he said, Just so you know, Daisy, this is not garden-variety desire. I have never felt this out-of-control while kissing any woman. Ever. One of his hands roamed down her back and curved around her bottom before sliding up to her waist. I am obsessed with your arse.

One of my lovable parts? she asked crossly. That hurt my feelings.

His eyes crinkled, and with a jolt she realized that he was smiling. What do you think about my arse?

Daisy gaped at him. She was already flushed, but she grew even redder. I-

Because once I got into the carriage and stopped being so impulsive , I remembered that you like my burly muscle. You can explore every part of me when we get home. Hopefully you ll find some of my parts lovable.

Miles. Daisy protested, trying to pull together the tattered remains of her conviction.

He paused, looking into her eyes. His hands tightened on her waist. You mean it, don t you?

She nodded. I have Belle. I m not merely responsible for myself. I m only now realizing how much my father s disinterest and estrangement from the family affected me as a child and as a woman. If you stormed out of the house in an argument It wouldn t be good for Belle.

Miles s hands eased, and he brushed a kiss on her lips. A nuzzling kiss, an affectionate kiss, a kiss that seeped into the lonely parts of her heart. I agree. Mind you, that goes for you as well. No jumping into a hackney cab and leaving me behind.

Daisy bit her lip. That s just it, Miles. Perhaps we re too combustible.

If we love each other, it won t matter. We won t consummate the marriage until we re both sure of that, Miles said.

His smile widened. Until you beg me.