“There, there.” A hand patted her shoulder while another tucked a white handkerchief into her fist. “All will go well now, Miss Brown. Take time to gather yourself, and then come to the kitchens. We shall take tea and eat a slice of Mrs. Hamster’s splendid apple and cinnamon cake, and you shall meet the staff.”
“Th-Thank you.”
“Be warned, however, there only a few of us with a modicum of intellect. Come, Walter, I shall procure you something to eat and a romp in the gardens.” With those words, he left, closing the door softly behind him.
Chapter Twelve
“The reason for all this noise, rousing me from a pile of paperwork that keeps you all in food with a roof over your head, better be a good one,” Gabe said pushing open the parlor door. “Abby!” His joy at seeing his little sister had him striding to her. Gabe swept her into a hug and squeezed.
“Hello, big brother.” She placed a loud kiss on his cheek as he released her.
Her dark hair was elegantly styled, and her eyes bright. Happy, he thought, she was happy, and his chest eased. Although perhaps a touch pale.
“Are you well, sister?”
“Of course.” She waved his words away.
He’d known the man standing behind her was a good one, but just not if he really had the capacity to make her happy. She constantly provided Gabe with evidence that it was the case. Perhaps soon he’d believe it.
“Dillinger.” He held out a hand to his brother-in-law. As tall as Gabe, Daniel Dillinger had come from humble beginnings. His brother had made his fortune bare-knuckle fighting and by shrewd investments. Daniel too was a smart man, who ran businesses with ruthless efficiently, though not an overly emotional one. At first Gabe had feared that he would not be the right man for his sister, but one look at them and he knew his fears had been unfounded. They loved each other deeply.
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.”
