“We will have to trick her somehow. Hogan will help; I can get him to do most things.”
“That’s true, my footman does adore you.”
Dimity also had dimples, which she flashed rarely, but when they came out it was worth the wait. Abby felt her own lips twitch, even considering the thunderstorm waiting for her when she stepped outside her door.
“We’re a bit like siblings, Hogan and me. It’s a weird thing, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say he was a long-lost relative.”
“I like him, but he is distant from me.”
“Of course he is, he’s your footman. It would not do for him to chat with you.”
“I know what you say is right.” Abby fell back on the bed. “But sometimes I just wish I could be someone else.”
Dimity lay down beside her, and they both looked up at the ceiling, which was a rather nice shade of pale peach that she’d selected much to Gabe’s horror. He’d wanted cream.
“It is not easy out there in the world away from this cossetted life you live, Abby. Your brothers love you and that is why they seem overprotective and smother you. You just need to be stronger.”
“I know what you say is true.” Abby did not take offence, she knew her life was so much better than most.
“Dimity?”
“Yes.”
They both turned their heads, and their eyes connected. She’d felt close to this woman from the day they’d met. The differences between them had never seemed a barrier.
“I want to leave London.”
“And yet you cannot, as you very well know. This is because of your Daniel, isn’t it?”
“He is not my Daniel and never will be.” But lord, she wished he was.
“But you want him to be.”
Color heated her cheeks. “I know nothing about him and am unlikely to, considering my behavior.”
“I have always believed that if something is meant to be, then it will happen, Abby. Don’t lose faith in your Daniel.”
“He is not my Daniel, and we barely know each other. I did think him special, though, Dimity. He even made my tummy feel funny.”
“Well, then, he’ll be back. Tummy fluttering is a well-known indicator when identifying your one true love.”
“I won’t see you.” Abby nearly choked on the lump in her throat.
“I’ll visit Hogan every day to hear the news.”
“Then I will visit the kitchens.”
“Your brothers will not like that.”
“I care little about that but will not let them know so they do not try and intervene. I will also pay you what you were receiving. It is wrong that my brother turned you out as he did.”
“You will not. I can find work, don’t you worry. Now, I must go before the Earl of Raine breaks the door down and escorts me off the property.”
“I’ll miss you.” She hugged her friend, then went to open the door. “Play along,” she whispered.
“I-I am unsure how I will cope without you,” Abby sobbed loudly. “Goodbye, my dear friend.” Gabe or one of her brothers would be nearby listening, she knew that. “Please take care.” Abby crossed her eyes, which had Dimity smothering a smile.
They would see each other again soon; she knew this now. Dimity would make it so.
“As I shall miss y-you,” Dimity cried loudly. Clearly an excellent actress, she proceeded to sob.
“I shall continue to practice, I promise.”
“Perhaps I shall stand on the street and listen? Mayhap you can throw open a window?”
“Don’t overdo it,” Abby mouthed.
They hugged, and then Dimity hurried away still sobbing.
Gabe arrived seconds after Dimity had disappeared.
“Abby—”
“I have forgiven you for many things, but this will not be one of them.”
Chin elevated, she made her way back to her room. Once there, she lay on her bed and wondered how she could get a note to Daniel apologizing for her behavior.
Chapter 10
Daniel looked at the words before him and attempted yet again to focus. He’d been reading this particular page for the last five minutes.
It was her, of course, bloody Lady Abigail Deville. She’d deceived him and that should be enough to push her from his head… it wasn’t.
The knock on his office door was not a welcome distraction, especially considering his current mood and need to read these papers before a client arrived.
“Hello, Daniel.”
He looked at his twin sisters, Mary and Kate, with a certain degree of wariness as they entered. Firstly, because while Kate worked with him, Mary did not. In fact, right now she would normally be at home