between them. The sister she’d never had.
Tears were hopeless and simply made her feel tired, but right then she really wanted to give in to a good bout of them.
“You’re a bloody bully to her is what you are!”
Abby knew that voice. Hurrying to the door, she unlocked it. Standing outside were Dimity and Gabe, the former with her hands on her hips. She had never been intimidated by the Deville brothers, and especially not this one, who was well above her on society’s ladder.
“How I care for my sister is no concern of yours.” He was pointing a finger at her rudely. Dimity didn’t back down. “And I have said you are forbidden to see her!”
“You and your brothers are blithering idiots,” Dimity said in disgust. “Your sister is a good girl. Stop smothering her!”
“Shut up! You’re a bloody piano teacher. You have no right to speak to me that way!”
“You,” Dimity pointed a finger right back at him, and Abby held her breath, “are no better than me just because you were born on soft sheets with a bloody golden goblet on your nightstand!”
“I’m an earl!” Gabe now had slashes of red along his cheekbones, which was never a good sign.
“No, really?” Dimity clutched her chest. “I had no idea. After all, I’m a simpleton who has only been visiting this household for four months!”
“Your employment is terminated!”
“No, it is not!” Abby stepped to Dimity’s side. “She’s the only person who understands me.”
Gabe looked like she’d slapped him. “We love you; of course we understand you.”
“Love is to care and protect, but also listen to a person. Love is equally shared. You control everything including me.”
His eyes went from her to Dimity.
“I want you out of my house!” Gabe turned his back and stormed away.
“Come on, Dimity.” She took her friend’s hand and walked back into her bedroom, closing and locking the door once more. “I have no wish to speak with him further.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen him that angry.” Dimity sat on the bed. “Are you all right, Abby? I heard in the kitchens that something had happened and the earl was roaring at you.”
She nodded, then waved a hand in front of her face. “Give me a minute.”
“He’s a stubborn-headed mule, that brother of yours, and the others take his lead where you are concerned. But they do love you, and that is why they behave as they do.”
“Perhaps, but I have no wish to continue living this way. But you need to know he didn’t mean half of what he just said to you, Dimity.”
“To be fair, he probably did, and likely I deserved it, but your brother has always annoyed me into speaking as I should not.” Dimity’s smile was gentle. “Care to tell me what brought about the turn of events I walked into?”
She told her friend what had happened.
“Daniel from the Duck and Goose?”
“Yes. We met in the park the other day, then again today. He wanted to take me to the theatre, Dimity.”
“Because he thought you were a companion?”
Abby nodded, feeling the wash of guilt.
“And that look tells me you wanted to meet with him also.”
“I did, but that will not happen now. He must hate me for my lies.”
“You know I can’t stay here now, don’t you, Abby, no matter how much you wish it. The earl has dismissed me, so I must go. After all, he is the head of this household.”
“I don’t know if I’ll cope without you, Dimity. Let me speak with him when he has calmed down.”
“No, you won’t speak with him, and don’t be silly, of course you will cope. For heaven’s sake, Abby, you’ve survived in a household with four strong-willed brothers. You can handle anything. We both know they love you desperately. They just don’t understand that you are now a woman and no longer a child.”
She looked into her friend’s eyes.
“But I don’t want us not to see each other, Dimity. I-I… We’re friends. I know Gabe will calm down.”
“Perhaps he will, but until he does, I will not be in this house. He provokes me, and I find it hard to hold my tongue. This is for the best.”
“For now,” Abby added.
“For now.”
“I will miss you, but I will make sure it is only temporary.” Abby knew Dimity was right; Gabe would be furious if she did not leave.
“We will always be friends, and I will make sure we see each other. There is the flower market you walk to