Moving into the shadows, she settled on a bench. The stars looked close this evening, the sky so clear.
“Forgive me, I had not realized anyone was here.”
“Good evening, Mr. Dillinger.”
“Lady Abigail.” He bowed. “I will leave you to your solitude.”
“Please stay. I am merely looking at the stars.”
He did not sit but stood a distance away from the bench.
“It is a trifle stuffy in there,” she said as the silence stretched between them. “I believe the more guests in attendance, the happier the hostess.”
“Yes, my wife told me that when we hosted a ball. Quite frankly, if you don’t mind plain speaking, Lady Abigail?”
“Not at all.”
“It is something I will hope to avoid in the future. I had no idea what hosting such an event entails, and I will add, I hope not to again.”
“Unfortunately, you have children, Mr. Dillinger. This may not be possible.”
“This my wife has pointed out to me also. As a duke’s daughter, she has friends in society and certain expectations to uphold. Occasionally when she gets me at a weak moment, I agree to accompany her to an event where I know the host and hostess have no issue with my attendance.”
He spoke in the same slow, steady manner as his brother.
“I fail to see why anyone would have an issue, but you are to be commended for doing this for her, Mr. Dillinger, if you do not enjoy these affairs.”
“I’m not entirely sure I do not enjoy them—after all, I have friends with lofty titles—but there are those that would struggle with the son of a coal miner in their presence.”
“I understand, and many cling to the belief that unless the blood in your veins flows blue then you are unworthy.”
“Aptly put, my lady.”
“But I don’t believe that is all of society, Mr. Dillinger. Some are trying to move with the changes that are so obviously happening around them.”
“My wife often accuses me of reverse snobbery. She says that I hold my birth close and trot it out when required, usually when I am faced with one of those who think me beneath them.”
Your brothers would never allow you to associate with a man such as myself. She remembered the words Daniel had spoken to her.
“There are some aspects of society I enjoy, Mr. Dillinger, and many I do not.”
He thought about that, his head tilting slightly, and she realized she’d seen Daniel do that.
“I understand you know my brother, Lady Abigail?”
She knew he couldn’t read her thoughts, but still it was unnerving to have the words spoken when she’d just been thinking about Daniel.
“I do. We have met a few times.”
“I am glad to see you have no ill effects after the last encounter. I understand my brother came to your aid. It’s my hope that whoever was responsible for the scare you received will be caught soon.”
“My brothers will ensure he is, Mr. Dillinger.”
His laugh was more a soft chuckle. “Don’t be too hard on them, my lady. They love you, and protection is their way of showing that.”
“And yet they threatened your brother.”
“Yes, I am not pleased about that, but I do understand their reasoning, even if I don’t like it. I have many siblings. Several of those are sisters.”
“My brothers can sometimes also be fools, Mr. Dillinger. I’m sorry for their behavior. I will make it clear that they must not confront your brother again.”
“Daniel is more than capable of taking care of himself. He did for many years after I left him, and he has continued to do so. Not many could challenge and win against him.” She heard the pride in his voice.
“I have four large brothers, sir.”
“We are also large, Lady Abigail.”
He had a point there. The silence that settled between them after those words was not uncomfortable.
“Where did you leave him?” She had no right to pry but asked the question anyway. It was likely she would have no future chance to find out information about the man who intrigued her, so she’d take this moment to do so.
“We were parted for many years when I left our home to go to London. When I returned, he’d grown into a man at the age of sixteen. In fact, he was unrecognizable.”
“I am glad you were reunited. It is very hard to live without family. My brothers may be extremely annoying and overprotective, but I would not like to be without them in my life.”