“But I will try.” He kissed her. “Say yes.”
She sighed. “There is so much uncertainty now. But I do know that I want to face that with you at my side, Gabriel.”
“I will be with you, my love, every step of the way.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
One month later Dimity Charlotte Elise Saint-Bonnard, as she’d chosen to call herself, was pacing between Gabe’s desk, behind which he sat, and the window. Walter was on his haunches at Gabe’s feet, his head tilted to one side, watching his mistress’s nervous gestures.
Reaching down, he scratched behind the dog’s ears and earned a lick on the back of the hand.
Gabe tried once again to concentrate on the letter he had received from his steward. Realizing the futility of his endeavors, he put it aside and joined the dog watching Dimity as she once again twitched the curtain aside.
One month had brought about many changes in her life. Word had arrived from her family in France stating they’d uncovered a ledger with Mr. Brown the piano teacher’s name in it. The St-Bonnard parents had given her into his care during the revolution, and there she’d stayed. Gabe was sure they would learn more about this today, and he knew Dimity longed to understand why the man she still called father had left France with her. He doubted some questions would ever be answered, and the truth had been buried with Mr. Brown and the St-Bonnards.
She’d moved from being a servant in the Duchess of Yardly’s home to a guest. The duchess had insisted upon this, and also introducing her by her full title. If society recognized the duchess’s previous companion, no one commented, as the Deville brothers, the Sinclair and Raven families, and the Duke of Rossetter had acknowledged her, and Gabe claimed her as his future wife.
“Dimity, I have just replaced this carpet, and there is every chance I will need to do so again if you do not stop wearing it out.”
Today was to be Dimity’s first meeting with her brothers. Louis and Charles Saint-Bonnard. She was terrified.
“All will go well, sweetheart. I am here with you.” He caught her hand as she passed again and tugged her down into his lap. “My siblings will also be here, and Daniel.”
She wore blue today. A soft sky-blue dress that caressed every curve of her lovely body. Gabe traced the neckline, and she shivered, as he’d known she would. He then picked up her hand and kissed the betrothal ring she wore that had once been his mother’s.
“I am nervous, Gabe.”
“Which is entirely natural, considering you are meeting your siblings for the first time.”
“That makes me feel better.”
He kissed her until she softened against him.
“I love you, Dimity.”
“And I you. But I’m still nervous.”
A gentle knock on the door made Dimity jump from his lap and run to open it. Fairfax stood outside wearing a wide smile.
“Have they arrived, Fairfax?”
“Indeed they have. If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to them, Miss Brown—oh dear, I mean—”
“We’ve discussed this, Fairfax. I don’t give a fig what you call me.”
Gabe laughed at his butler’s expression. He then took his fiancée’s hand in his and followed Fairfax.
“I feel suddenly ill, Gabe.”
“No, you don’t. Where is that spirit I so admire? Don’t tell me you’ve gone soft now you have noble blood?” His comment had the desired effect, because she glared at him.
“Lord Raine and, ah…,” Fairfax stuttered.
“I’ll take it from here,” Gabe said, stepping into the room towing Dimity behind him.
The brothers stood together, and there was no doubt that Dimity belonged to them. She had the eldest brother’s eyes and the younger’s coloring—and smile, Gabe added silently. They were tall men, the eldest bigger in build.
“Charlotte?” Louis whispered, stepping forward. “It really is you.”
