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girl’s arrival? Or did the blasted chit just burst in whenever she pleased?
    Eloise patted the seat beside her and motioned for Daisy to join her, but the poor girl couldn’t seem to move either. “You look lovely, child. Your hair’s done up quite elegantly.”
    Daisy patted her hair, which was now styled in a fashionable chignon, then slowly shook her head. “You’re being kind as always, Eloise.” Her chin began to quiver. Hell in a handbasket , was she going to cry? All his fault. “I only stopped by to inform you that I won’t be able to ride with you to Lord Falmouth’s ball.” She let out a shaky breath and ran her tongue slowly across her full lower lip as she struggled to regain the composure that he’d callously shattered. “I know I promised, but I’m certain your grandson can manage that responsibility.”
    Her tongue darted out again, and all he could think of was the sweet sensation of her tongue and soft lips going down... Was there ever a man more depraved?
    “I’d much rather have your company in my carriage. My grandson,” his grandmother said, glaring at Gabriel, “won’t be very entertaining. He’s all bile and ill temper lately, and he’s lost all sense of good manners.”
    Gabriel was about to admit that he had been in the wrong, but Daisy surprised him by coming to his defense. “Please don’t berate him. He has every reason to think the worst of me, and as to his manners, I believe mine were worse.”
    “Nonsense, you’re always delightful. You were a little distressed today, that’s all. Nobody’s perfect. We all have bad days. Still doesn’t excuse his rudeness toward you,” Eloise insisted, refusing to be mollified.
    “Perhaps not, but let’s not make more of it than necessary.” Her beautiful lips were now stretched in a thin, tense line and her clasped hands were trembling. “I doubt I’ll see him again and I do wish to explain about Lord Falmouth’s ball. You see, I won’t be attending.”
    Eloise let out a soft gasp. “Why ever not? You’ve been looking forward to it for ages.”
    “It seems Mother forgot to notify the dressmakers to proceed with the final alterations for my gowns. They won’t be ready in time.”
    “Daisy, that’s unpardonable!”
    Gabriel rolled his head back and groaned. Obviously Daisy had endured a dreadful day, first chasing after her cousins—he did admit that looking after seven children was no easy task—and then learning that this much-anticipated event was not to be. A young woman’s first season was a sacred rite of passage, not something to be trifled with or ignored by her family. Daisy looked crushed and he couldn’t blame her.
    Yet despite her miserable day, she’d found it in her heart to overlook his outrageous conduct—actually, to dismiss it as though he were irrelevant—well, he didn’t like that. But he hadn’t exactly swept her off her feet with his charm. He’d been cruel and callous, living up to the awful reputation he’d deliberately created over the years.
    Damn.
    He felt about as low as the scrapings on the soles of his boots.
    Lower than those scrapings.
    “She’s had her hands full with the family,” he listened to Daisy continue in support of her mother, and thought her too willing to forgive that obviously addled lady. “I don’t mind, really. And the dresses will be ready in time for Lord Hornby’s ball. I’ll gladly ride with you then.”
    “Very well, it’s settled,” Eloise said with a slow nod of her head.
    “I’ll be off. I’ve left the twins in charge of the other youngsters and dare not stay away too long. Last time I was gone, the little savages took Pruitt prisoner. The poor man still has not recovered.”
    Gabriel found his legs and then his voice. “A moment,” he called out, quickly striding to her side before she could turn away. “I believe I owe you an apology.”
    She lifted her chin and cast him a defiant scowl. “You’re entitled to your opinion of me. I