“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.
