…
“You let her drive out with Diard?” Gabe glared at the duchess. “Surely she is your employee and meant to serve you? Not gad about with men!”
“Diard is a good man. I have found no reason to believe otherwise,” the duchess said calmly. Too calmly, when inside Gabe was filled with ice-cold fear. He did not know if Diard was involved with Ombrage or a pawn in his game. “But I must admit she should have been back by now.”
“How long has she been gone?”
“Several hours,” the duchess said.
“Where is Mr. Allard?”
“How should I know? He is only here when Mr. Diard is. What are you not telling me? You and your brothers are not here to run an impromptu salon, I’m sure.”
“I would rather have pins stuck in my eyes,” Nathan muttered from behind him.
“I heard that!”
Nathan did not apologize.
“Where did Diard take Dimity?” Gabe asked.
“I am unsure. But he is a good match for her, Lord Raine,” the duchess said, driving a stake into Gabe’s chest. “Mr. Diard holds no title and walks only on the fringes of society. This business between you can serve no one well.”
“Business?” Gabe said softly.
“I may be old, but I am not stupid.”
“Business?” Gabe asked again.
“She cares deeply for you, and we both know nothing can come of it.” The duchess thumped her cane. “You must not toy with the gal.”
“I love her,” Gabe said. “Deeply, and I will take her as my wife, and to hell with society.”
“Did he just say what I thought he did?” Nathan asked.
“He’s always been like that. Suddenly decides on something, and there is no going back,” Michael added.
“I find I quite like the idea of Dimity as my sister,” Zach said.
“Don’t be foolish. A man such as you cannot wed a woman like her,” the duchess scoffed.
“Why?”
“She is beneath you!”
“I thought you liked her,” Gabe said.
“I do! But… well…” The duchess frowned. “It is not done.” Her tone held no strength now.
“I care little about the right and wrong way of doing things, only about Dimity. And as you rarely care about proprietary, I am surprised by your vehemence in this matter. Now I need to find her and ensure she is no danger.”
“That’s new,” Zach said. “He usually always cares about the right and wrong way of doing things.”
“Why would she be in danger?” the duchess demanded. They all ignored her.
The door opened, and in walked the butler. Walter and Romulus bounded in too. The former made for Gabe, stopping to sit against his thigh. He patted the large head.
“You love her, Raine?”
