by Vella, Wendy
He’d been jealous, of course. To start with, it had ridden him hard that another had surpassed him in his sister’s affections. She would now rely on Daniel for her love and support. It was beneath him; he knew that as a reasonable man.
“Raine.” Daniel shook the hand.
“Dimity, Gabe. Did you find her?” Abby asked as they all settled into seats, his brothers lounging on arms or resting with their feet on small tables.
“I did. It does not make for good telling, I’m afraid, but before I begin let me assure you she is well, and working for the Duchess of Yardly as her companion.”
“What?” Abby half rose from her chair.
“Sit, love. Let your brother explain.” Daniel nudged her back into the seat.
He did so, skimming over details that may upset her.
“Well,” Abby said, looking shocked. “Good grief.”
“My thoughts exactly. But the more I consider it, I find I like it. They are both bloody awkward. It’s likely they will have battered each other to pieces by now with verbal barbs and found a common ground,” Gabe said.
He’d checked, of course. Had his footman, Hogan, who he knew was close with Dimity, infiltrate the Yardly household and see what was going on. The news had come back that Walter had wormed his way into everyone’s affections and the staff worshipped Dimity also, as she did not stand for any of the duchess’s nonsense.
“I will visit her and tell her she can come and live with us,” Abby said.
“As you’ve offered that before and she chose dancing on a bar in a seedy tavern, I doubt she will accept it this time either,” Daniel said.
“But why? We are friends.”
Gabe watched his sister frown. She wore lavender, the color suiting her delicate coloring.
“Pride,” he and Daniel said simultaneously.
He took the tea from Abby and reached over for a biscuit. His cook made large man-sized cakes and biscuits. None of those small bite-sized morsels others dished up to their guests.
“She read a note that fell out of her father’s Bible while I was with her. It clearly shocked her, but she would not tell me what it said.”
“Which tells us nothing,” Michael said. “It could be something as simple as her father’s last goodbye to his daughter.”
“It could be, but something told me there was more to that note.”
“I will ask her about it,” Abby said.
“The brother tossed her out of the house, so I plan to pay him a visit, as he needs a lesson in how to treat his sister.”
“Agreed,” Nathan said.
“Stop cramming food into your mouth like it is the last morsel on earth, Zach,” Gabe snapped.
“It could be the last morsel in this bloody household.”
“As that is not likely to ever be your concern, perhaps you can try to be the gentleman you were raised to be.”
“Shall we investigate this, Raine?” Daniel said, ignoring the byplay. “Track down this brother and have a chat?”
Gabe nodded. “I’d like to teach him a lesson.”
“And I will visit Dimity and get the truth out of her. Then we can decide the next step for her,” Abby said.
“Must there be a next step if she is happy with the Duchess of Yardly? Although why in God’s name anyone would be is beyond me.” Zach shuddered, picking up the last item of food on the plate that Gabe had his sights set on.
“If your husband can excuse you, we will call on the duchess now. I have a book she has coveted,” Gabe said, intercepting the looks his brothers were throwing each other. “What?”
“Miss Brown has you unsettled,” Michael said calmly.
“She does not. We have so much, and she so little. It is not too much to ask that we aid her when she is in need, surely?” He’d kept his words calm.
“Very honorable, brother, and should you require our assistance, you need only bellow.” Zach’s feet hit the floor with a thud. “But now, if this gathering of familial devotion is complete, I have a brother to skewer.”
“As if you could ever best me.” Nathan snorted, standing.
“And I shall accompany Abby and Gabe.” Michael stomped his feet back into his boots.
“Why?” Gabe frowned. “There is no need, I assure you, as I’ve already explained I do not need protection.”
“From what?” Abby asked, rising. She pressed a hand to her mouth.
“What’s wrong?” Gabe moved to her side.
“Nothing. I will return shortly.” She ran from the room with Daniel on her heels.
“What’s that about?” Gabe asked his brothers, they shrugged.
“I have no notion, but I’m sure we’ll find out. Now, the reason I am accompanying you is that I’ve heard a great deal about the duchess’s impromptu literary salons. Who knows, this could turn into one.”
“No way in hell am I partaking in one of those acts of lunacy,” Gabe snarled.
“And yet you are willingly stepping into the duchess’s household,” Michael added. “I wonder why.”
“Shut up,” Gabe snapped. Thankfully, after a speculative look he did.
“Are you all right, Abby?” he said when she returned minutes later.
“Of course.” She smiled. “Collect your book and we shall be off, Gabe.”
“I have business to attend, love, but will see you at home later,” Gabe heard Daniel say as Gabe returned with his book. “But in all honesty, had I not I would have lied and said I did. Why anyone would willingly step into the den of that viperous woman is beyond me. Her reputation is legendary.”
“Yes, I would have far rather Dimity worked in a gambling house; the prospect would have been less daunting,” Abby agreed.
Gabe watched Daniel touch a hand to his wife’s cheek.
Did he want that? Someone who loved him unconditionally? Poking about inside his head, he didn’t think it would be a very comfortable thing to be so invested in another that their happiness affected yours.
…
“Thank you for rescuing her, Gabe.”
“She is a stubborn woman with far too much pride.” He looked across the carriage, happy to see his sister seated there.
“Which you are all too familiar with and therefore understand.”
“She has a point,” Michael drawled.
“But not to the point of stupidity,” Gabe added. “We could have helped her with very little effort on our part.”
She sighed. “Dimity is fierce in her need to be independent. I think her father instilled that in her.”
“Did you meet him?”
“No, but she talked often about him. He was kindhearted but could also be passionate about what he loved. Books, learning, and music. He spent many hours with his children, educating them. I believe he learned a great deal about music during his time in France.”
“What about her brother? What do you know of him?”
“Very little. Dimity did not talk about him a great deal. I always had a feeling their relationship was strained but was never really sure why. She said he was a fool and often thought himself better than her, like older brothers do.” She shot him a smile.
“I am not pompous; I am protective. Please note the difference.”
“If that makes you feel better, then we shall leave it there.”
“Well said, little sister,” Michael said.
“You’re happy, aren’t you, Abby.” It wasn’t a question but the truth. “I can see it in you.”
Her smile was blinding. “So happy. I love Daniel very much and we… well we are friends as well as—”
“Please do not continue that statement. In my head, and I’m sure the minds of your other brothers, we have you sleeping in separate beds and shall keep that thought in mind forever.”
“Amen,” Michael muttered.
“Yes, well.” Color flushed her cheeks, and he had to hold back a smile. Gabe studied Abby and could only come up with one word for how she looked: radiant.
“You’re to have a child.” His words came out hoarse.
“What?” Michael sat upright.
“How did you know that?” Abby laughed. “We had decided to tell everyone in a few days when we are absolutely sure. But… well, I am sure.” Her smile filled her face.
The joy that washed through Gabe was so intense, it nearly stopped his heart. He picked her off the seat and held her close.
“I am so happy for you both.” He said the words into her bonnet. “So happy.” He placed her back on the seat, and Michael did the same. “Your child will likely be the most atrociously spoiled in the kingdom.”
“I already have plans to corrupt it with boiled sweets and toys,” Michael added. And Gabe could hear that like him, his brother was very happy about the prospect of a niece or nephew.
“I know, we said as much with all the family it will have to dote on it.”
“We are very happy for you both, Abby.”
When the carriage stopped, Gabe had to force himself to wipe the smile off his face. A niece or nephew. The Deville brothers loved children, and this one would be extra special.
“The Earl of Raine, Lady Abigail Dillinger, and Mr. Deville wish to see the duchess, please,” Gabe said when his knock on the door was answered.
The footman nodded and excused himself to see if the duchess was accepting callers.
“And again I am relegated to last when in such illustrious company,” Michael drawled. “This is an extremely nice front entrance,” he added.
There were soft blues, pinks, and whites in the flower beds, and small trees were neatly trimmed. In fact, the entire facade was well presented.
“I don’t usually cool my heels on the doorstep,” Gabe said, looking around him. “But you’re right, it is nice. I’m surprised. I’d thought there would be at least a bed of poison ivy and bushes with thorns.”
“Does it offend your earlish sensibilities, standing about on the doorstep, Gabe?”
“That’s not a word, Abby.”
“It should be.”
“If you will come this way, the duchess will see you now.”
The butler, who had a remarkable pair of eyebrows, reappeared and led them to a set of stairs. The house was an oasis of soft colors and tasteful furnishings.
“Who knew a woman with her fashion sense could have such lovely restful decor,” Michael said.
“It’s to lure people into a false sense of security,” Gabe whispered.
“Have you been here before?” Abby asked. “I must admit to having a far different interior in mind when I thought about the duchess too.”
“More garish colors and sharp edges to hit your shins on, do you mean?” Gabe whispered.
“Exactly.”
The sound of music had every muscle in Gabe’s body clenching.
“Dimity,” Abby whispered.
“Yes.” She played with passion, and to him it had always been a deeper, more intense experience. Dimity played with everything she had inside her, and it came through in the music. Gabe could have listened to her for hours.
“The Earl of Raine, Lady Abigail Dillinger, and Mr. Deville.”
They stepped into the room as Dimity’s head shot their way. She rose from the stool and ran. In seconds, she and Abby were clasped in each other’s arms making a great deal of noise. Sobs, laughter, words, all poured one on top of the other.
“Raine!”
“Duchess.” Gabe dragged his eyes from Dimity and bowed before the elderly woman, as did Michael. She sat upright as she always did, wrinkled hands resting on top of one of England’s most lethal weapons. Today she wore mustard, the color so hideous he wondered if her seamstress was color blind or indeed disliked the woman so much she wanted her humiliated by fashion.
“They have not seen each other for some time,” he said in case the duchess had issue with the reunion, which he was sure was a bit odd to be taking place in her parlor.
“Clearly. I may be old but not blind.”
Michael snorted.
“You have a beautiful house, Duchess,” Gabe said.
“Yes, my late husband had excellent taste. I, however, do not.”
“Oh, well….” He wasn’t sure how to answer that.
“I’m wearing a hideous shade of mustard, as you can see, Raine, and care not one jot. Now you both need to sit and let them have their reunion. Is that my book?”
Gabe sat after shooting Dimity and Abby another look. They were clasping each other’s shoulders and talking nonstop.
She no longer looked rumpled. Dimity’s black hair was pinned on her head, and a cream ribbon wound through the curls. The cream dress was trimmed with emerald ribbon around the cuffs and hem. Cut of simple lines, it clung to her lovely body. She was beautiful, and his body gave that familiar jolt he’d grown used to experiencing when in her company.
“She is well.”
“So I see.”
“And settling into my household. I would like to add ‘with no fuss,’ but she has far too much to say for herself and is free with her opinions.” The duchess accentuated the last word by thumping her cane. “Now hand over my book.”
Michael took the seat out of striking range from the cane, forcing Gabe to take one closer.
“It’s actually my book, and I’m loaning it to you,” Gabe said, still holding the latest copy of Captain Broadbent and Lady Nauticus. “You may borrow it, of course, and return it in the excellent condition it is currently in.”
He’d been surprised at the Lawton musicale when the woman who tended to bore people witless with Roman mythology had told Gabe she had read all the Captain Broadbent and Lady Nauticus books. He’d told her he had the latest, and she’d said she’d be nice to him if he loaned it to her.
A wet nose pressed into his cheek, and he turned to find Walter. At his heels was Romulus.
“Hello. How are you finding your new lodgings?” Gabe scratched behind a large ear, and the dog sighed. “Plenty of food?” He gave a soft woof. “Excellent.”
Romulus, clearly unhappy at the lack of attention, leapt into Gabe’s lap. Walter sighed.
“She loves him,” the duchess said with what he thought may be a smile.
“But is that love reciprocated?”
She cackled.
Chapter Thirteen
“You look well,” Dimity said to her friend.
“I love married life.” Abby’s smile was brilliant. “And I am to have a child,” she whispered.
“Oh, Abby.” Dimity held her close, hugging her gently. “I am overjoyed for you.”
Her friend was happy, and Dimity found she liked that very much. She’d lived a good life with her brothers, of course, but they had been overprotective. But now, married to Daniel, she was blossoming, and soon there would be a child to bless their union.
“I’m so very sorry about your father, Dimity, and for what your horrid brother did to you.”
“Thank you. My father was a good man.”
“And now I am going to be mad at you.”
“Must you?”
“I fear I must. Gabe told me where he found you, and I am most displeased you did not come to me for help when you were forced from your home.”
“It all happened so quickly, and I know I should have sought your help, Abby, but I’d hoped to get work and turn things around.” She went for honesty.
“In a seedy tavern singing on the bar and sleeping in that place where Gabe said he would not house his pet rat… should he have one, that is.” Abby gripped Dimity’s hands. “I’m both hurt and angry that you did not come to me or my brothers, who you know would have helped you.”
Dimity shot Gabe a dark look, as clearly he’d told his sister everything. He raised a brow at her glare. She refrained from poking out her tongue.
He looked as he always did, large and dangerous. There was something wild about Gabriel Deville beneath his tame facade. It thrilled her, and she hated that it thrilled her.
“You know about my pride
, Abby,” Dimity said.
“And that’s an excuse, is it?”
“No.” She sighed. “I’m sorry. I just like to do things on my own.”
“Let me ask you this, then.”
“If you must.”
“Oh, I must,” her friend snapped. “What if you’d found me in the same situation my brother found you?” Abby continued, undaunted. “Desperate and alone.”
“I was not desperate and alone.”
“Desperate and alone,” Abby reiterated, folding her arms.
“I was in complete control and would have turned things around. I just needed time.”
“I loathe arguing with you. It’s the same with Gabe. You have all the answers and refuse to admit you are in the wrong. It’s extremely vexing, when clearly you are.”
“It’s one of my finer traits.”
“Tell me why your nefarious brother made you leave your home with nothing more than a bag, Dimity.”
“There is little to tell other than he now owns the house and wanted me out of it.” That, plus he is likely not my brother. She kept those thoughts to herself. Abby did not need to know what she’d found in that letter; it would simply complicate things further.
“Very well, but promise you will come to me in the future should anything dire happen, Dimity.”
“I promise.” She didn’t shuffle her feet at the dark look her friend was giving her, but it was a near thing. “I am sorry that I did not ask for help.”
“Yes, well.” Abby huffed out a breath. “See that you are not so pigheaded and foolish again.”
“No, please, don’t hold back.”
“Come and sit, please, ladies. We are to take tea, and Lord Raine is to read for us from Captain Broadbent and Lady Nauticus. It is the latest in the series.”
They turned to look at the duchess as she spoke. Life in her household was certainly interesting, Dimity had come to realize.
The woman had a great deal of energy and liked her life run a certain way. She terrorized her staff for no other reason than she seemed to get a great deal of enjoyment out of it. She’d told the duchess that it was mean to do as she did, as the staff had no recourse. The woman had dismissed her words, but Dimity noticed when a maid spilled tea this morning, she just muttered something instead of yelling at her.
