“You never stutter anymore, but you are now, which tells me something is upsetting you. As I am the only person in the room, it must be my words.”
“I stutter when I’m t-tired.”
“As I’ve seen you tired, I would dispute that.”
“Enough, Oliver!” Looking down, he noticed his fingers were clenched into a fist.
“Why?”
His brother didn’t seem inclined to stop the questions, so Daniel concluded the interview, or whatever the hell it was, and walked to where his hat hung.
“I-I need to go. I have an appointment. I will see you later.”
“Daniel, you can’t simply walk away, you must know I will—”
He cut off those words by closing the door behind him. He then ran past Alan and out of the office. Only when he was out on the street did he haul in his first calming breath. He wondered if there was a ship sailing somewhere he could board. Anywhere; the further the better.
“Bloody bothering hell,” Daniel muttered. Why had he reacted that way? Now his brother would not let up till he had the answers he wanted, and he would never give them to him… never. Running a hand down his side, he remembered why and how he had been angry; he just wasn’t entirely sure how it had grown instead of weakened inside him over the years.
Chapter 12
Abby stared at her fingers. Dimity had left an extensive list of what she needed to practice, and today she’d fully intended to do so, but so far all she’d done was plonk her fingers on a few keys.
Sun filtered in through the windows, coloring the room with a golden glow. The walls were white, and the furnishings a soft buttery yellow. She’d chosen everything in here, right down to the chest that held her music. Her piano faced the small garden at the rear of their house, and usually this was where Abby was happiest. Today was not one of those days.
She missed Dimity, and her heart ached for what she’d done to Daniel. She’d thought about him constantly. Recalled his expression when he’d realized she was not, in fact, a companion, but the daughter of an earl. Not only that, she had four angry brothers who had confronted him. But it had been her lies that led to the confrontation.
If only she had told him when she’d had the chance. He would still have been angry, but at least the truth would have come from her.
His eyes had told her what he’d been feeling. In that moment, Abby had realized he would never forgive her and that he would ensure they never met again. She’d felt desperate with that realization. She’d wanted to run to him, try to explain and implore him to forgive her. In doing that, however, she would have made the situation seventeen times worse, as her brothers would have stepped in with their fists.
She wanted to see him again. Wanted to laugh and talk with him. Daniel had been the first man who was interested in only her, Abby, not the sister of an earl.
She ignored the tap on the door behind her and continued staring at the keys. It would either be Mrs. Sourpuss or a brother, neither of whom she wanted to see.
They’d been talking at her continually in the days since the incident with Daniel. Asking her questions, asking if she’d like to visit places. All of which she’d politely declined.
“Hello, Abby.”
“I didn’t answer the knock, Michael, which suggests I have no wish for company.”
“I’m sure you meant to answer it. After all, I am not company. I am your brother.” He smiled as he joined her. “Can I turn the pages for you?”
“No, thank you.”
“Are you going to punish us forever?” Michael’s hair flopped over his forehead, which suggested he needed a haircut, but she left those words inside her head. Her brothers could walk about looking unkempt now for all she cared. Well, at least until she forgave them. But then aren’t you just as much to blame for what took place?
Of course, the issue here was that she loved her brothers and even understood why they behaved as they did, even if it annoyed her excessively. If she could just teach them to temper their behavior and not want to maim every man who showed interest in her, life would be a great deal easier.
Each brother had a special place in her heart, each with their own little foibles and strengths. They’d run, galloped, and wandered over every inch of their estate as children. They’d never excluded her because she was a girl; at least not then, but now… well, now her life was very different.
“I am not punishing you, Michael. I am attempting to be the lady you all want me to be.”
In fact, it had been hell in the days since she’d seen Daniel. She’d attempted to be the perfect young woman, talking only when she was spoken to, never raising her voice, and acting as she would at society gatherings. She’d loathed every minute. But damned if she knew what else to do to get her brothers to loosen their grip and let her have some freedom.
“Abby, we are only trying to protect you.”
She slowly closed the lid on the piano, then rose.
“I understand,” she said in an emotionless voice. “Now please excuse me, I am due to leave for the flower market.”
“I will accompany you.”
“I have no need of your company. Mrs. Secomb and Hogan will be there.”
“Perhaps I want to accompany my little sister.” His smile had always been just a little bit sweeter than the others’, but she hardened her heart.
“I know that the others sent you to me, Michael. It is always the same. We argue, you make things right. But this time, I am making things right by being the perfect young lady you all wish me
