“Many different ones,” she said calmly. “I met Daniel at one, and to my lasting regret I lied to him as you did to his brother. I told him I was a paid companion.”
“What event?” Gabe wasn’t looking concerned yet, which Abby took as a good sign. She doubted that would last, however.
“I went to The Duck and Goose tavern to watch a man called Eros play his lute.”
“I beg your pardon?” The roar was loud enough to rattle the dishes on the table. “You went into a filthy tavern where anything could have happened to you?
Gabe’s hands were now clenched into fists on the table in front of him. He was inhaling and exhaling out of his nose, never a good sign, as he did this only when he was trying to control himself.
“I was not alone,” Abby added quickly.
“Dimity! God’s blood it is she who is responsible for taking my sister into a tavern, isn’t it?”
“I can make up my own mind, Gabe. I wanted to go and loved every minute I spent there. I was in no danger.”
“Anything could have happened to you!”
“Don’t be dramatic.”
“Tell me that you took the carriage?”
“No. We walked.” She may as well tell him the whole of it while he was angry.
“I fear my dinner is about to reappear,” he said. “My little sister has been traipsing around London in the dark, unescorted, and could have fallen prey to any trouble and I would not have known!”
“We often took a footman with us,” Abby said.
“Which footman?”
“I’m not telling you that, you’ll sack him.”
“Abby— ”
“You wanted honesty between us, and I’m giving you that, Gabe.”
He was silent, and then he turned and she saw the anguish.
“Gabe?”
“I hired an investigative service to look into that incident on the street where you were attacked, as you know. It was not random, Abby. Someone who I have had business dealings with tried to harm you. As yet we have not located him.”
Now it was Abby who suddenly felt queasy.
“Are you certain?”
“Absolutely. Our source is reliable. The man who attacked you was paid by another to do it.”
“Is Aunty Louisa even ill?”
“I’m not sure, and that was not well done of me either, but I had to get you out of London, and this was the easiest way to achieve that. Michael, Nathan, and Zach are continuing to search for the man.”
“You should have told me,” Abby said. “I should have known. You have to promise to stop lying to me.”
“As you have lied to me about leaving the house at night!”
“Don’t yell at me, Gabe.”
“Do you know how I feel that you took such risks? That when I was out with your brothers—”
“Carousing.”
“We do not carouse,” he gritted out.
“I believe I have explained to you that I overhear conversations, some said loudly enough to ensure I do. I know what you and my other brothers get up to.”
“Believe me when I tell you that much of it is greatly exaggerated, but that is not the concern here.”
“I am safe and well here before you.”
“How am I to trust you again, Abby, if this is what you’ve been doing behind my back?”
“Exactly the same way I am to trust you. I didn’t have to tell you, Gabe. Perhaps if you do not make my life so restrictive, then I will not feel compelled to do what I did. I’m not even allowed to ride my horse without two brothers and a footman accompanying me.”
“What is he to you?”
“Who?” But she knew who her brother meant.
“You know who. What is Daniel Dillinger to you?”
“I don’t know, but I do know I’ve never felt this way about another man before. Perhaps that’s because when we met, he was not on his guard. He is not terribly fond of noblemen.”
“I have come to that realization myself.”
Gabe returned to where she sat. Abby placed her hand in the one he held out.
“Promise me you will not take such risks again, sister.”
“If you promise to retire Mrs. Secomb and keep Dimity on. Plus, allow me more freedom.”
“Must we have that woman in our household?”
“I won’t negotiate on this matter, Gabe.”
“Very well, I will try. Is that good enough?”
“For now, and I will do the same.”
Abby hugged her brother then and felt that perhaps things between them would now be a great deal better. Daniel, however, was another matter entirely.
Chapter 28
His horse was well and suffering no ill effects from the dash through the rain. Letting himself out of Syd’s stall, he headed to the empty one next door where the straw was stored. He would ensure his horse had a clean bed and then find his own. Daniel stifled a yawn. He was still tired, exhausted actually, and likely in need of more sleep to fully regain his strength.
Had Abby and her brother talked? Had they forgiven each other? He thought it likely that the truce he and Lord Raine had momentarily observed was now over after the way Daniel had spoken to him. Not that he cared; once he left here, he vowed to avoid the man, as he should his sister.
He didn’t want to avoid Abby, however.
“Hello, horse.”
Those words had come from one of the stalls nearby and were spoken by Abby. Why was she out here at this time of night? He would stay in here, silent, so she did not know he was close. It was for the best. Really it is.
“You’re a fine fellow too.” Damn. She was talking to Syd now.
“Hello, Abby,” Daniel said as she appeared in the doorway.
“Sorry, I did not mean to disturb you.”
“I doubt there is a time when you don’t disturb me.”
She entered the stable.
“I’m not sure that is wise.” He retreated until he felt the wall. “Go back to the inn, Abby.”
She didn’t, instead moving closer, now standing between him and the door.
“I told my brother that I went to the Duck and Goose to watch Eros play, and that is how I met you. He was
