“Am I not allowed time to form that response?” Daniel regained his feet and fastened his breeches. She was fussing about with her buttons, then grabbed her shawl. “We are from different worlds, Abby. Surely you see that we need to tread carefully going forward?”
“But do you want this… me, Daniel?”
“Of course I bloody want you. I would not have taken your innocence if I did not.”
Her hands finished fussing, and she looked at him.
“But I am a coal miner’s son—”
“Oh, really. I had no idea; I don’t believe you told me that before.”
“Don’t be smart-mouthed, Abby. I am just trying to work through this.”
“You’re regretting what we did, aren’t you?” She looked close to tears.
“I could never regret that. I care for you, as you very well know.”
“I care for you also.”
“Excellent, then we need to do something about that.”
“You sound like you’re in pain.” Her arms were folded, and the wonderfully responsive woman he’d just held in his arms was gone. “Do you want a life with me, Daniel?”
“Yes, but I need time to work out how to do that and approach your brother. I must have a plan before I do so.”
“Can we not approach him together?”
“That is not how this is done, Abby. It is done between men.”
“I see that again I am pushed aside while my future is discussed.” She backed away from him.
“No, you don’t see anything.” He advanced. “I want a life with you, woman!”
“I am tired, as are you. I think it best we sleep now.” She turned and walked away from him, and he had no idea what she was thinking. He’d just told her he wanted her and a life together, and she walked away from him like he’d said the opposite.
“Women,” he muttered, following minutes later after he’d apologized to Syd for what he’d had to witness, “are extremely difficult to understand.”
And yet he did know Abby. She was kind and sweet and determined.
“And she’s mine,” he whispered, awed. Daniel made a vow then and there that she would never regret a future with him. He just had to work out how to secure that before her brothers tore him limb from limb.
Chapter 29
Abby had slept surprisingly well, which she put down to the alcohol, emotion, and making love to Daniel.
“So, did you and your fancy man talk?” Dimity was finishing packing their things.
“We talked, and I thanked him for speaking to Gabe as he did.”
“You were gone for quite some time. I fell asleep waiting for your return. Are you sure you just talked to him?” Dimity teased.
“Yes.” Abby turned away to fuss with her hair so her friend did not see the color in her cheeks.
“And?”
“And I think we came to an understanding, but now we must go down or Gabe will start pounding on the door yet again.”
“Very well, but I will hear more about this rendezvous in the stables later.”
Daniel was in the parlor when they arrived, and Abby swallowed the smile that wanted to fill her face. Her body had twinges it had never experienced before, and her breasts felt different, which was odd. They’d always been just there on her chest before. This was all because of him.
Maybe she’d not reacted well last night. After what they’d shared and the day she’d endured, she’d pushed him to declare himself. Fear, Abby thought, that had made her behave as she had, and yet didn’t Daniel have the right to be unsettled also? He’d made it clear that her birth was a major obstacle to their future, but he’d also said he cared for her and that he wanted to speak with Gabe.
That thought settled warm and steady inside her chest. She needed to speak with him about that, as she knew her brother better than anyone and could help him approach Gabe. But for now, she must behave as if nothing had happened between them.
To be held against his chest, to feel his hands on her had been everything she’d hoped it would be. She’d wanted more, and when he’d given that to her, she’d understood what all the poems of love spoke of.
There had been pain, but also so much more. To be that close to the man she loved… yes, she had acknowledged that, in the early hours of the morning as Dimity snuffled softly beside her.
Was she now a hussy for what she’d done? For wanting the touch of a man… not just any man, but Daniel. To make love to a man she was not wed to. She didn’t care; she loved him, and they would one day be together. She held that thought close.
“Good morning, Gabe, Mr. Dillinger.” Abby nodded as Daniel beat Gabe to holding out her chair. His fingers touched her back, and she knew it was deliberate.
Did he, like her, feel different in the cool morning light?
“Lady Abigail.” She saw nothing in his eyes to suggest he was feeling anything other than looking forward to his morning meal. Yet Abby knew he was good at hiding his emotions.
He appeared as he always did, handsome and vital, dressed in a brown jacket and waistcoat. His necktie was folded sedately. She noted the dark smudges beneath his eyes that yesterday had put there.
His body she knew was hard, shoulders muscled. Feeling a flush of heat, she looked down at her plate to compose herself.
“How are you feeling this morning after your illness yesterday, Mr. Dillinger?”
“Much improved, thank you for asking, Lady Abigail.”
Last night, he hadn’t been so formal. Last night, he’d had his hands on her and whispered his need into her ears.
“Mr. Dillinger is riding to Devon as are we. Therefore, I have asked him to accompany us.”
“Pardon?” Abby couldn’t believe her brother had said those words.
“He has saved your life twice, sister. I trust he will do so again if required. I have also informed him of what I believe was behind the attack on you that day.”
Like Daniel, Gabe once again
