“Papa?” Ella watched Forrest being helped up the stairs between Deville brothers.
“He’s tired, Ella. I’m sure you are too.”
She turned solemn eyes to him. Blue, like her father.
“I am your cousin Gabe. Will you let me watch over you while your father has a rest?”
She nodded slowly, sizing him up. Ella had travelled to a country to meet people she did not know, and now her parent was incapable of caring for her. He felt a stab of panic. What did he and his brothers know about caring for a girl child? Yes, he’d cared for Abby, but she’d not been an infant when their father passed. Plus, she’d had a nanny.
He decided to head back to the breakfast room. Ella may be hungry. He’d reached the stairs when a knock sounded on his front door. As Fairfax was currently sorting things like beds and sending word for the doctor, Gabe turned and headed back to the front door.
“A small detour is all, Ella, and then we shall get you some food.” Juggling her to the left, he used his right hand to open the door.
“Raine, I am returning your book and wish to view your library!”
He looked over the Duchess of Yardly’s shoulder and into the eyes of Dimity Brown. The look she wore told him she’d rather be dancing on that bar he’d found her in than standing on his doorstep in that precise moment.
“Why are you holding that child?” The duchess pointed her cane at Ella.
Gabe placed a hand on the child’s head.
“Desist in jabbing that thing at Ella, if you please, Duchess,” Gabe said, still looking at Dimity.
She wore a deep grey dress that was buttoned to the neck. She looked like a governess; a very beautiful, extremely disturbing governess.
“Who is she?” the duchess demanded, lowering the cane.
“My cousin has just arrived from India. He is exhausted, so I am holding Ella, his daughter, while my brothers settle him in bed.”
“Which cousin?” The duchess scowled. “I’m sure I know all your cousins. I have a copy of Debrett’s.”
“I’m not sure that’s your concern, Duchess.”
“And yet you’ll tell me.”
He sighed. “I do not know him well. He is my mother’s sister’s son. They have lived in India Forrest’s entire life.”
“What kind of name is Forrest?” the duchess demanded.
Gabe wondered if Dimity had given up feeling uncomfortable about the Duchess of Yardly’s forthright ways, as her expression did not alter at the rapid succession of rude questions.
“My cousin’s.”
Something very odd happened then. One of those moments that unsettles you so much you are literally left speechless. The Duchess of Yardly smiled.
“Hello, sweeting.” She reached out a gnarled finger and ran it down Ella’s check.
She looked soft suddenly, less like she was going to bite the head off something and instead was about to cuddle said something.
Christ.
“Move!” She jabbed her cane into Gabe’s shin, which forced him back a step, and he wondered if he’d imagined that smile. “Who is caring for the child while her father is laid low? Is there a nanny?”
“I—ah, I don’t believe so.” Gabe looked at Dimity again, but she was focused on the child, her expression blank.
Perhaps I wish to wed and have a child.She’d said those words to him. The thought of her belly round with his child made something stir inside him.
“As you can see, now is not a convenient time for a visit, Duchess. Perhaps—”
