“There have been no attempts to harm Zach, Nathan, or Michael.”
“So it could have been random?”
“Possibly.”
“Very well, we will go—”
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” Abby agreed, “but I am not taking Mrs. Secomb.”
“She is your companion.”
“I don’t want her sour face seated across from me the entire journey.” She had to be strong in this. “Two days in a carriage with that woman is more than I can tolerate.”
“You can’t go without a companion, Abby.”
“I will have you.”
“I cannot do your hair.”
“Then rather than my maid, I want Dimity to come.”
“Absolutely not!” The words exploded from him. “She is a mouthy woman, and what’s more, a piano teacher who duped me into hiring her.”
“She did not dupe you.”
“She did. She was meek and well-mannered at the interview, but it turned out she’s actually a shrew.”
“She is wonderful and my friend. I want her to come with me.”
He looked in pain. “I have dismissed her.”
“Which was very bad of you, but I will forgive you if you allow me this and for her to return to her position when we come back to London.”
“Can you not think of anyone else?”
“I cannot.”
“Christ.” The breath hissed from his mouth. “I suppose the only blessing is that I will be riding and not have to endure her company.”
…
The following day the carriage carrying Dimity and Abby rolled out of the courtyard of the Earl of Raine’s townhouse. He rode beside it on a large gray horse. Their brothers had roused from their beds long enough to wave them farewell.
Her friend had been more than happy to accompany her, stating that she needed a change of scenery also. Abby thought there was more to it, as Dimity looked tired, with dark smudges beneath her eyes. But she would leave questioning her until later. And when they returned to London, she would once again be employed by the Earl of Raine—in this she would stand firm.
“He sits a horse well, I suppose.” Dimity looked out the window. “One hopes it bucks and sets him on his ass.”
“Dimity!” Abby giggled. “I’m sure I should not be laughing,” she quickly added. “He is my brother, after all, and I love him.”
“Yes, and we can’t help which family we are born into, after all.” The words had a bite to them, increasing Abby’s belief that all was not well in Dimity’s world.
However, her friend had been happy wrangling with Gabe about how much she wished to be paid as Abby’s companion on the trip to Devon. Abby had intervened when the discussion escalated to raised voices, but eventually all parties were happy.
The eldest Deville was not pleased with the arrangements, and neither was Mrs. Secomb, who had to twiddle her thumbs until Abby returned from Devon. Abby had plans to talk Gabe into releasing her when they did so, but there was plenty of time to perform that miracle.
“I heard about the boat sinking at Vauxhall Gardens, Abby. I’m so pleased you were all right.”
“Daniel was in the water to catch me when Zach threw me over the side, Dimity.”
“No!” Her friend leaned forward. “Tell me everything.”
“There is not a lot more to tell. Only that he helped me to the bank and then helped bring others from the water. So many didn’t make it, Dimity.”
“I know, and it was a terrible loss. But how was it Daniel knew you were on the boat, Abby?”
“I really don’t know where to start with what has happened since I last saw you.”
“Pick a day or event and elaborate.”
Abby smiled. She’d missed her friend so much. She told her about the day at the flower market and then when Daniel had saved her from the knife-wielding assailant.
“Good lord, he really is your protector.”
“No, he’s just been in the right place at the right time.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Abby. You and Daniel have a connection, and that is why he is always where he is meant to be.”
“I don’t really believe in such things.”
“And yet the facts surely speak for themselves? There is something strong between you and that handsome man.”
Abby did have strong feelings for him, but how was she to make him and her brothers see that?
“Why do you look like that suddenly?” Dimity asked.
“Like what?”
“Like you have lost your favorite shawl and don’t know where to find it.”
“I don’t have a favorite shawl.”
“Shoes?”
“Not really.”
“Brooch?”
“Oh yes, I have one of those. My mother gave it to me. It’s in the shape—”
“I know the one, and stop changing the subject.”
“What was the subject?”
“Why did you suddenly look sad?” Dimity said impatiently.
“I will likely never see him again.” Abby went for the truth. “I had thought leaving London a good idea to give us both time apart and for him to realize he wants to be with me, but I’m not entirely sure he does.”
“He cares deeply for you; I would wage your brother’s fortune on that.”
“But he has made it clear he wishes nothing more to do with me.”
“And yet there he was in the water at Vauxhall Gardens. So he’s not of noble birth; does that really matter?”
“To my brothers it would, and to Daniel. He said as much to me.”
Dimity made that little sniffing sound that suggested she wasn’t impressed by what she’d heard.
“Your brothers are fools and have never been in love.”
“I am not in love!”
Dimity laughed. “Your reaction tells me different.”
“I know nothing of him—or love, for that matter.”
“What do you need to know?”
“It is easy for you. You can marry whoever you want, Dimity. I cannot.”
Something passed over her friend’s face, but it was gone in seconds. “I cannot marry royalty, and it’s unlikely a nobleman would want me either.”
“I should not have said that, forgive me. Of course you too would face opposition should you want to marry your prince.”
Dimity sighed. “I could imagine myself wandering the long halls of a palace draped in luxurious fabrics with someone meeting my every whim. But we digress. The fact is, Abby, you could marry whoever you wanted, but it would
