“Ask your butler if he has a maid or someone to care for her,” she interrupted, entering his house without an invitation.
“I will, thank you.” He should have thought of that. “I will call my sister when she is well.”
“What is wrong with Abby?” Dimity was looking at him now, worry etched in every line of her beautiful face.
“She is with child and has been ill.”
“Oh yes, of course.” He saw the relief that it was nothing else.
“She needs changing,” the duchess said loudly.
Dragging his eyes from Dimity, it was then Gabe noticed his sleeve was damp. His face must have shown the horror he was suddenly feeling. The duchess tittered.
“Show us to a room, then send a maid at once. We shall care for the child until one is located. Dimity, take the girl.”
“I don’t take orders from you in my household, Duchess,” Gabe said, keeping his voice low and steady so Ella didn’t get upset.
“Now is not the time for ego, Raine, it is the time for action. That child needs changing.” The cane thumped on the floor. “Give Dimity the girl.”
“She may not wish to go with her,” Gabe said.
“Did you know her before she met you today?” the duchess demanded.
“No.”
“Well then, don’t be a fool, and hand the child to Dimity, then see about getting her things so we may change and settle her. Have a bed prepared. Clearly she is weary and in need of rest.”
Not many people ordered Gabe about; the duchess had always been one of them.
“Ella, this is Dimity,” he said, which gave him a reason to move closer to her. How was it her scent was so familiar to him and yet he had no idea what it was? Nothing expensive, and he doubted it was even applied, and yet it was infinitely hers.
“Hello, Ella.” Dimity leaned closer, so her eyes were level with the child. “Would you like to come to me, and perhaps we could find a book to read, or maybe sing a song?”
“Dimity is a friend, Ella,” he said as the child hesitated, then looked up at him with solemn eyes.
“Do you look like her father?” the duchess asked.
“I do.”
“That’s why she is comfortable with you,” Dimity added, stroking a finger down the child’s cheek. “Did you know that I play the piano, Ella? Perhaps if Lord Raine allows it, we could sit there, and I could play for you?”
“Of course. There are books in there also for the duchess to inspect. Although she will not be taking any without my permission,” he added, which was expected of him. He couldn’t let her have everything her own way.
The warmth from Dimity’s smile traveled through him. It was genuine and came from deep inside her. He wanted it turned on him.
Fairfax returned looking unflappable, when surely the household had just been turned on its head with the arrival of his cousin and child.
“We need tea, and food for the child. Plus something to change her with. One would hope that her things are with her, and there is a nightdress also. Have a room readied for the child beside her father’s if possible,” the duchess said before Gabe could open his mouth.
“You do realize this is my household and not yours,” he said. The duchess merely harrumphed.
“This rude woman, Fairfax,” Gabe drawled, “is the Duchess of Yardly, who is far too used to having her own way. See to her demands when you have time.”
“At once, my lord.”
“I find it is easiest to agree, then do as I wish, Fairfax,” Dimity said out the side of her mouth.
His butler’s lips twitched.
