“No, but I ‘ave the chance to change things now.” Mind made up, he said, “I’ll claim the title an’ make things right fer both of ye.”
She pressed her lips together and nodded agreement. “It’ll be an easier life than the one we ‘ave now.”
Even though he knew she underestimated the task that stood before them, he didn’t argue, happy with the knowledge that his sisters would soon be living the lives to which they’d both been born. But the truth of it was that they faced a daunting struggle—one in which their pride and dignity would be tested at every turn. Steeling himself for the battle ahead, Raphe bid his sister a good night, aware that the dawn would bring turbulence with it.
Chapter 2
Lady Gabriella Radcliffe sat in the parlor of her family home, regarding the man who was sitting opposite her. His name was Simon Nugent, otherwise known as the Earl of Fielding, and more furtively referred to as the most eligible bachelor on the marriage mart. On either side of her sat two of Society’s most esteemed women: Gabriella’s mother, Portia, the Countess of Warwick, and Gabriella’s paternal aunt, Caroline, the Dowager Countess of Everly. Forced from her home by her late husband’s detestable nephew, she’d accepted her brother’s invitation to come and live at Warwick House two years earlier, much to Portia’s aggravation. For although they did their best to be cordial and polite, the two women were so opposite that they collided at almost every opportunity.
“How often do you hunt?” Gabriella’s mother inquired of Fielding. Reaching forward, she picked up the plate of biscuits that sat on the table and offered it to him.
He declined with a subtle hand gesture, then simply said, “I do not.”
Gabriella’s aunt shifted in her seat. The sofa was not very wide, which made Gabriella wonder why they had to sit in such a silly way, like three judges quizzing a plaintiff. Stopping a chuckle that threatened to rise up her throat, she made a choking sound and was rewarded with an elbow in the ribs by her mother.
“I thought all gentlemen hunted,” Aunt Caroline remarked.
Brushing something invisible from his knee, Fielding shook his head. “It’s a dirty business. I much prefer fishing when I’m in the country.”
Gabriella quietly sipped her tea, her concentration fixed on holding the cup correctly. Crook this finger and point the other. “Perhaps we can do it together sometime?”
“What? Fish?” Raising an eyebrow, Fielding looked at her incredulously.
“You’re slouching,” her mother whispered.
Straightening her back, Gabriella silently cursed the day her sister had gone away. Victoria should have been the one sitting here right now. Marrying well had been her destiny. Heck, she’d been courted by a marquess—a very determined one at that. Everyone had been thrilled by it. Until she’d thrown it all away in favor of something that no one approved of and forced all attention on Gabriella—the awkward one who wasn’t expected to do better than marry someone desperate enough to overlook her flaws.
What a depressing thought.
Another jab in the ribs made Gabriella flinch. She quickly nodded, realizing that she’d abandoned the conversation and that everyone was staring at her. “I—”
“She jests,” her mother cut in.
“I don’t believe she does,” Aunt Caroline said.
Fielding looked from one to the other before pinning Gabriella with a most serious expression. “You are a refined woman, Lady Gabriella. Fishing—well, it’s rather a chore, in a way—work that you ought not be engaging in. And then of course there are all the insects to consider.”
“I actually rather like them,” Gabriella confessed. She’d found a bit of loose trim on her gown and couldn’t quite stop herself from picking at it.
Fielding tilted his head. “I beg your pardon?”
“Insects,” Gabriella clarified. “I find them rather intriguing.”
“She has a collection,” Aunt Caroline said.
“Perhaps you would care to see it one day?” Gabriella suggested. “The spiders are especial—”
“She says such silly things, my lord,” her mother interrupted with a nervous chuckling sound. “Gabriella does not engage in such . . . such . . .” she waved her hands about as though hoping to catch the appropriate word, “wild activity.”
“I’m relieved to hear it,” Fielding murmured, looking not the least bit convinced as he eyed Gabriella with censorious aloofness. He hesitated a moment as though reflecting on something, and then his eyes suddenly widened. “Was it you who once defended a bumblebee?”
“A childish lapse in judgment that you mustn’t hold against her,” Gabriella’s mother hastened to say before Gabriella could respond. “She’s completely transformed now. And her dowry is rather impressive. One mustn’t forget about that.”
“Of course,” Fielding said, allowing a smile. He seemed to relax a bit before saying, “Still, I would suggest that you give up on fishing and entomology. Neither is a very ladylike hobby.”
“Indeed,” Lady Everly said dryly, “God forbid she gets bit by a mosquito.”
Although Fielding’s comment grated, Gabriella had to force back a chuckle. On her other side, she could feel her mother’s disapproval of her sister-in-law’s sarcastic sense of humor radiating off of her.
