Gabby glanced up from her drawing. “Everything went splendidly this afternoon. I have no idea what’s on her mind.”
They didn’t have long to contemplate before Miss Teague presented at the drawing room door. Anthony motioned her inside and stood until she took a seat. She sat at the edge of a hardback chair and fidgeted with her skirts.
“Did Annabelle go to bed without any trouble?” he asked.
“Yes, milord. She had an eventful day and was ready for her bed.” Her gaze dropped and her lips turned down.
Anthony held his breath as he waited for her to speak. Had something gone wrong today?
Miss Teague pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I suppose I will be leaving soon, and I had hoped you might pay my travel expenses to Crickhowell.”
“Leaving?” Anthony and Gabby asked at the same time.
Relief flooded through him upon realizing his wife was just as surprised as he was.
“Why would you leave?” he asked, sinking down into his chair. “Annabelle is especially fond of you.”
“When I saw the three of you together today, I thought…” She laced her fingers together. “Well, I figured you would want me gone now that you have a wife, so you can be like a family.”
Anthony didn’t know what to say. He wanted Annabelle, Gabby, and him to be a family, but that didn’t require Miss Teague to leave Town. “I’m sorry, but I can’t allow you to return to Crickhowell. Not as long as your brother is free to visit you whenever he wants. He left you battered the last time you saw him.”
Her gaze darted toward Gabby. “But I can’t stay here either, can I?”
Anthony raised his brows. “Did I miss an exchange this afternoon?”
Gabby’s head was tilted slightly to the side and fine lines appeared on her forehead. “This is the first I’m hearing of Miss Teague’s wishes to go.”
“I thought that would be best, milord.”
“I disagree. Your place is with Annabelle.”
Gabby aimed a sympathetic smile at the other woman. “I agree with Lord Ellis. You shouldn’t return to Wales. Not only could it result in harm coming to you, but Annabelle would be devastated if she wasn’t able to see you.”
A rush of breath escaped Miss Teague. “Oh, thank you, milady. I didn’t want to leave her, truly I didn’t.”
Anthony nodded once, the matter resolved in his eyes. “Then you won’t go. You’ll remain with her as we initially agreed upon.”
Gabby lay her drawing aside. “Yet we don’t want to be imprudent. Perhaps we should discuss the wisdom in Miss Teague remaining on as Annabelle’s nanny.”
Heat swept up Anthony’s face. He drummed his fingers on the armrest, trying to control his temper. He had already made it clear Miss Teague would be staying on as Annabelle’s nanny. His wife challenging his authority did not sit well. “Explain yourself.”
Gabby nibbled her bottom lip, glancing from him to Miss Teague then back to him. “I don’t wish to anger you, but I feel I must speak up for Annabelle’s sake. The rumors concerning her will continue as long as Miss Teague is under our roof. The family resemblance is too strong.”
Miss Teague blinked. “What rumors? Are people gossiping about Annabelle?” She rose from her seat and clutched her hands at her waist. “What are they saying?”
He couldn’t ignore the sinking of his heart. He hadn’t given their situation appropriate consideration since their return, but Gabby was correct. As long as Anthony kept Miss Teague under his employ, people would believe the worst. Yet he didn’t know what to do. If he sent her to live at another property, the rumors would likely grow, and there would still be the issue of Annabelle being heartbroken.
Anthony flicked his hand in a dismissive gesture. “We’ll find a way to discredit the tales.”
He sounded more confident than he was.
“I may know a way.” Gabby changed her position on the settee, leaning slightly toward Miss Teague. “My mother is seeking a lady’s companion. I spoke with her while you were on a stroll in the gardens, and she would like it if you would consider the position.”
“But—”
She held up her hand to stop Anthony’s interruption. “If you become Mama’s companion, no one will question your past. They will assume you are a lady who has fallen on hard times. We could introduce you as Annabelle’s distant relative.”
Miss Teague’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Then I would have to leave Annabelle after all.”
“You could still see her every day,” Gabby said. “I realize it wouldn’t be the same, but as Mama said, if we all cooperate, we should be able to help Annabelle with this change.” She looked to Anthony as if seeking his approval.
He nodded slowly, the wisdom of her suggestion sinking in. “Go on.”
“Once we retreat to the country, you could spend even more time with Annabelle. We will be neighbors after all.”
“I see.” Miss Teague sat and swiped away a tear sliding down her cheek. “I do want what’s best for Annabelle. She’s like my own child.”
The lines in Gabby’s forehead deepened. “I’m afraid there is one more thing I must address. I think it would be best if we taught Annabelle to stop calling you Mama.”
Miss Teague’s head snapped up, and he could see the argument on the tip of her tongue.
“This is in Annabelle’s best interest,” Gabby said. “If anyone heard her, they might continue to believe you are Lord Ellis’s—please, forgive any insult—mistress.”
Miss Teague blanched; her hand fluttered to her throat. “Mistress? Oh, dear. Is that what people are saying?”
“Only the ignorant ones,” he grumbled, then flinched when the women glared at him. In one sentence, he’d managed to insult them both by implying Miss Teague was undesirable and Gabby a dolt for believing he would take the nanny for a mistress. He grinned. “Sorry.”
Gabby sniffed and resumed speaking with Miss Teague. “There has been talk, but it seems to be limited to only a few. Still, we cannot take the chance of the rumors spreading.”
“I understand, milady.” A deep blush consumed the young woman when she glanced at him.
“There’s no need to hurry. Mama says we’ll need to prepare Annabelle for the change, and even once you move to Talliah House, we’ll make certain you see each other every day.” Gabby left the settee and extended a hand to Miss Teague. “Thank you for understanding. Annabelle is fortunate to have you in her life. I never want to take that away.”
Miss Teague accepted her hand. “I believe you, Lady Ellis.”
Anthony dismissed her before taking his wife in his arms.
“Ignorant, am I?” she said with a huff. “You’re lucky I don’t crown you with a candlestick.”
He nuzzled her neck, showering her with kisses and making her squeal with laughter. Her hands splayed against his chest.
“It tickles. Stop!”
He pulled back, grinning. “I’m lucky I have you.”
Her wide smile filled his heart. There were no more empty places inside him, no more loneliness or doubts. In his limited imagination, he’d never dreamed his life could be so perfect. He’d wanted a wife, a family, and noise. And he’d gotten more.
“I love you, Lady Bug.”
She snuggled against him, her face lifted in invitation. “I love you, too. Now, do what you’re best at and show me.”
Epilogue
Annabelle shrieked. “He’s getting away.”
Gabby recovered the furry black-and-white bundle wiggling in her arms before he made an escape. “Shh,” she admonished, laughing. “Remember, we’re surprising your papa.”
Although how Anthony could miss their arrival home, she didn’t know. Her husband had gotten his wish. There was barely a peaceful moment these days since Annabelle had lost her shyness.
Gabby considered it a blessing that they’d scarcely received any invitations their first two weeks back in London, because it had allowed Anthony and her to spend evenings at ho
me with Annabelle. She and Anthony were slowly being accepted into society again, but the time home had worked wonders with Annabelle.
Annabelle’s parting with Miss Teague had seemed painless enough since she’d had time to grow accustomed to their presence. Of course, she still saw her aunt daily and had just seen her moments earlier when Gabby and Annabelle collected Anthony’s gift. Gabby’s brother, Luke, had found the perfect pup, even if he was being perfectly troublesome at the moment.
Annabelle bounded across the checkerboard floor, headed toward Anthony’s study. Her copper curls bounced when she stopped with a hop and spin. “Come on, Gabby.”
“I’m trying.” The pup flailed until he turned in her arms and slurped his wet tongue across her lips and nose. She laughed again. “Ew. No more kisses, you naughty boy.”
“Who’s kissing my wife out there?” Anthony’s teasing voice drifted from the study.
Annabelle’s tiny hands captured her giggle. It was so good to see her positive response to Anthony. There was no more clinging or tears when he came near.
Gabby winked at her. “I could use your assistance, my lord. Unless you wish this rogue to keep taking liberties with me.”
She looked up to find her husband lounging in the doorway. A grin stretched across his face. “Gabrielle, what have you done?”
“It’s not my fault. This is all Annabelle’s doing.”
He faked a gasp, his eyes expanding. “You? Are you responsible for bringing this bundle of fur into my house?”
Annabelle’s smile widened and she nodded. “It’s a puppy.”
“A puppy! You brought me a puppy?” He swept forward, scooped her into his arms, and rained kisses on her face as he often did with Gabby. Annabelle laughed like mad, her high-pitched scream ear-piercing and yet so pleasing. Anthony planted one more kiss on her cheek before settling her into the crook of his elbow. Her arms circled his neck. Her green eyes sparkled. “It’s for you, Papa.”
Gabby carried the pup closer so Anthony could see him. “He’s a sheepdog. A useful breed just like you wanted.”
He scratched behind the pup’s ears, but the moment he stopped, the animal’s pink tongue darted out and caught Gabby’s chin.
She sputtered while Anthony chuckled. “Is he going to run around trying to lick the sheep then?” he asked.
Gabby wrinkled her nose. “No, he’s going to run around Ellis Hall causing all kinds of havoc once we retire to the country.”
She bent to place the pup on the floor and Annabelle clambered to be let down, too. The two tore across the floor and disappeared into Anthony’s study; her happy giggles carried on the air.
A bang echoed from the other room, followed by another peel of laughter.
“He’s simply getting a head start at Keaton Place,” she said. “You do realize we’ll never have a moment’s peace again.”
The pup yipped and Annabelle released a playful scream.
He placed his arm around Gabby and hugged her close. “Yes, I did get that impression. And now I have everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“I’ll have a devil of a time knowing what to give you at Michaelmas if that’s the case.”
Anthony placed a kiss at her temple, his arm so warm and solid behind her back. “Somehow I think you will manage, my love. You are full of surprises.”
Acknowledgments
Writing may seem like a solitary activity, but it takes many great minds to create a book. I’d like to take a moment to recognize just a few of the people who helped this book go from my imagination to print.
I’d be lost without my fellow writers, critique partners, and great friends. Plotting guru Jane Charles generously gave her time to brainstorm the story line with me; Ava Stone and Catherine Gayle gave me a kick early in the process so I could meet my deadline; Aileen Fish and Julie Johnstone were there every step of the way to provide invaluable feedback; Suzie Grant assisted with fight scenes, her specialty; and Robin Delany gave me great encouragement and feedback.
As always, thanks to my agent, Nephele Tempest, for her part in the creative process. I value her opinion and appreciate her willingness to talk through ideas, in addition to all the other technical things she does for me behind the scenes.
Thank you to Sourcebooks. Everyone I have contact with makes this a pleasant experience, and I appreciate all the hard work the entire team puts into taking my ideas and making everything a reality. And a special thank-you to my editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, for her guidance and the wealth of knowledge she shares with me.
Lastly, thank you to my husband and kids for their support and patience, and for not complaining too much when we run low on groceries during deadline time.
About the Author
Don’t let Regency romance author Samantha Grace’s sweet smile fool you. She has a wicked sense of humor, and she’s not above embarrassing her characters for a good laugh. Samantha writes what she enjoys reading: romantic comedies about family, friendship, and flawed characters who learn how to love deeply. Part-time hospice social worker, moonlighting author, and Pilates nut, she enjoys a happy and hectic life with her real life hero and two kids in the Midwest. To learn more about Samantha’s stories, visit www.samanthagraceauthor.com.
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