is nothing to clarify.” Daniel gave nothing away in his tone or the expression on his face. “I was introduced to your sister by my sister-in-law. That is where it begins and ends.”
Lord Raine’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe that is the truth, yet as you saved her life, I will leave it there. But—”
“If the next words to come out of your mouth are a threat, Raine, think again. I do not live by the same rules as you noblemen and will not take it lightly. And just so we’re clear, the Deville brothers may intimidate many, but they do not intimidate me.”
“We do not deliberately intimidate people, Dillinger.”
“Well, you do an excellent job of it for not trying.”
Raine cursed.
“Just be warned, I will not stand for those threats.”
“Are you threatening me?”
Daniel knew it was only a matter of seconds before one of his party realized who he was talking to, so he needed to end this conversation quickly.
“No more than you are me, my lord. Your sister means nothing to me. You can believe that or not; I care little for your opinion. But I will not tolerate any insult to me or mine.”
“I have no wish to insult your family or friends, but don’t mistake me, I will be watching you, Dillinger.”
“Remember my words, Raine. Any threat, and I will meet it, and it will not be with a slap of my glove. Those ridiculous rules don’t apply in my world.” Daniel then turned back to watch the performance, jaw clenched, chest tight. He may have had plenty of confrontation in his lifetime, however, he did not enjoy it.
“Were you talking to Raine?” Alex had been behind him. Daniel hadn’t realized that.
“Just in passing.”
“Highly unlikely,” Alex said.
“If you will excuse me, I will return in a moment.” Daniel felt the need to walk. Anything to shake the unease that had crept inside him. Likely it was due to Miss Spencer’s advances and Raine’s threats. A brisk walk would set him to rights again.
Leaving the gathering, he took the path that led back to the water. Tension was coiled tight inside him by the time he reached the bank. He walked along the edge, his eyes on the boat Abby was clearly still on, as she had not joined her brothers.
“Can I offer you a ride, sir?” one of the boatmen asked him.
Daniel looked to the large vessel floating on the river. Heard the voices raised in revelry of those who had stayed on board. All was well there, so what else was wrong?
“I will, thank you. Just row me past that.” He pointed to the boat. “I wish to take a closer look at it.”
He called himself every kind of fool as they left the bank, but still something niggled at him. Searching those he could see standing on the railing, he couldn’t see her, and yet he knew she was there.
Chapter 21
“I’m sorry, Sir John, I really have no wish for you to breathe all over me with your alcohol-laden fumes, nor do I wish for your touch.”
The man’s eyes turned squinty as he attempted to focus on her and understand the insults she’d just thrown at him.
“I-I beg your p-pardon?”
Disgusted, Abby pushed him hard in his chest and sent him stumbling backward. So much for Zach looking out for her; she had not seen him since they first arrived on board. Not that she needed him to protect her—Abby was more than capable of distancing herself from the Sir Johns of this world, with their wandering hands and eyes.
The longer this excursion was taking, the more outrageous the behavior of the guests was becoming.
Abby had elected to stay on board after she’d seen Daniel. Even from this distance, she’d known he’d seen her. Felt that shiver of awareness.
Bracing her hands on the railing once more, she looked to the gardens that were a blaze of light. Her other brothers would not be happy she and Zach had decided to stay on board, which the small petty part of her was pleased about. Defying her brothers had not always been her main goal in life, and yet lately she was enjoying it more and more. Which just went to show how low she had sunk. It was time to go to Devon. Time to find the person she’d always been and not this resentful woman thwarted in love.
Love? Absolutely not. You couldn’t love a man you didn’t know! Infatuation was what she felt for Daniel Dillinger.