“What has happened? Have more people died from the boat accident?”
“No. There are no more. Some are still struggling for survival, but thus far are still alive.”
“It is a terrible thing, Gabe.”
“I know, but there is something else I wish to discuss with you now.”
“What has happened?” She took the hand he held out to her.
“Aunt Louisa sent word that she would like you to visit, and I wonder if this is concerning the letter I received from Patrick, stating that she had been unwell. Perhaps she wants your company during her recovery.”
Patrick was Aunt Louisa’s eldest child and sat between Gabe and Michael in age; therefore, they were all close.
“You never told me she was unwell.”
“I had no wish to bother you. But as you have told us you wish to go to Devon, it seems now is a good time.”
“Why now?” She studied him. “You say you think it’s due to Aunt Louisa’s health, and yet she was sick before?”
He kept his gaze steady on hers.
“Do you or do you not want to go?”
“I have said I do, I’m just not sure why now?”
“Must you always question everything?”
“Of course.”
“I think it a good time to leave London. I would like to stop this discussion there, please.”
“I will go, of course.” Abby loved her aunt very much. It would be a wrench to leave without seeing Daniel, but she also wanted to see her aunt. Perhaps putting some distance between herself and the man who had captured her interest was a good thing. It would give her perspective; plus, she could talk to Georgie about Daniel. Her cousin would keep her secrets.
“Well?”
“Don’t snarl at me, Gabe.”
“I’m not snarling, but you are simply standing there staring at that purple flower as if it holds the meaning to life’s secrets.”
“A hock.”
“That’s a hock?” He nodded to the bloom.
“It is and smells wonderful.”
“Abby, please just say you will go to Devon with me.”
“You? Why would you leave London in the middle of the season to accompany me?” He wasn’t telling her something, she was sure of that now.
“I don’t want you travelling alone.”
“And that is understandable, but usually you make one of the others accompany me.”
“Untrue. I have accompanied you places.” He walked to the hocks and touched the petals.
“What’s going on, Gabe?”
“Why must there be something going on? Can I not wish to spend time with my sister?”
“Not when the London season is upon us and there is plenty of rakish behavior for you to undertake.” Abby folded her arms.
“Very well, if you want the truth, you shall have it. A certain lady is becoming demanding in her attentions. I think some space will stop that from escalating.” He was still looking at the flower.
“And that’s all?”
“Of course.”
“You’re lying to me, Gabe.”
He exhaled loudly.
“Tell me.”
“I have just explained that a woman is becoming rather zealous in her attentions and I have broken all connections with her, but she is…”
“Persistent?”
“The very word,” he said, clearly uncomfortable.
“Is she your mistress?”
“Abby,” he sounded in pain, “you really shouldn’t know of such things, and no, she is not.”
“Someone who wants to marry you?”
“Yes and no.”
“Which makes absolutely no sense.”
“There is also the matter of that man who tried to attack you. I want to take you from London while that is investigated.”
“You believe that was not a random incident?”
“Running directly at someone with a raised knife on a London street is rarely random, Abby. I will take no further chances with your life. Leaving London at this time is a good thing.”
He frustrated and angered her, but she could never doubt his love, no mattered how misguided his actions were.
“It will be all right, Gabe.” She went into his arms, and they closed tight around her.
“I can’t allow anything to happen to you.” His chin rested on the top of her head. “We leave for Devon in the morning, Abby.”
“All right. But will the others be safe? What if it is true and someone wanted to hurt me? Could he not strike at them when we are gone?”
“There have been no attempts to harm Zach, Nathan, or Michael.”
“So it could have been random?”
“Possibly.”
“Very well, we will go—”
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” Abby agreed, “but I am not taking Mrs. Secomb.”
“She is your companion.”
“I don’t want her sour face seated across from me the entire journey.” She had to be strong in this. “Two days in a carriage with that woman is more than I can tolerate.”