“Let’s go, gal.”
When he straightened, Dimity had gone, walking away from him with the Duchess of Awkward and two dogs. He started after her, but Nathan’s hand stopped him.
“She would never hurt Dimity, Gabe. And perhaps this is the answer to her problems.”
“How is going anywhere with that woman a solution for anyone?”
“Our Miss Brown is probably one of the only people I know who will stand up to that old tartar,” Nathan said.
“She should be coming home with us.”
“Why?”
“Because Abby wants us to look out for her.”
“She is being looked out for. The duchess lives in luxury, which is surely better than where you found her last night? Dimity will not allow anyone to treat her badly, Gabe.”
“Thanks for your support with the duchess,” Gabe muttered, refusing to admit that his brother may actually be right.
“My input would only have muddied the waters. Besides, that cane of hers is lethal.”
“Coward.”
“Undoubtedly.”
“I’m worried about her.” Gabe was also frustrated, annoyed, and any number of emotions and not quite sure why.
“Why? She’s now got a roof over her head and plenty of food. If it works out, then Dimity will be safe, Gabe, and she will no longer be your concern. Correction, Abby’s concern, and by association, yours.”
His brother was right, of course. He’d not heard at any time that the Duchess of Yardly had hurt anyone other than slicing them to shreds with her tongue, and Dimity could easily return that favor.
For tonight she was safe, and that was a good thing. Strange how he felt no calmer with that knowledge.
Chapter Eleven
“Ireally don’t think it’s a good idea for you to employ someone without references and on such little acquaintance, who owns a large dog.” Dimity felt she needed to say the words as the lumbering carriage rolled through London.
Although large, the interior needed airing, as it smelled musty. The decor was all gold and deep blue, and Dimity wondered if even the royal family travelled about in such opulence. The maid sat beside her, wedging herself into the corner so she was small. The footman had scurried up beside the driver.
“If the Earl of Raine trusts you, that is enough for me. He worships his sister and would not allow a person into the household to teach her piano without references.”
She had her there. Dimity had wanted to laugh when the duchess had jabbed Gabriel, doubling him over. But there had also been concern. She did not like to see him hurting, which was annoying, as she’d wanted to hurt him a time or two.
“But we have discussed no terms or expectations,” Dimity added. It was almost surreal. She’d been wandering through the park, desperate and homeless, and suddenly there she was, an angel in the form of a crotchety old duchess. “You have no idea if I can fit the position. And what happened to your last companion?”
The duchesses face darkened. “She wed some jackanapes.”
“How do you know he’s a jackanapes?”
“He was one of my footmen!” The cane came down with a thud.
“And instead of wishing them well, you wished them ill?”
The old lady grumbled something Dimity did not catch.
“I beg your pardon?”
“I gave them a cottage!” The cane hit the floor again.
