by Vella, Wendy
Botheration. She watched Michael Deville step inside and close the door behind him.
“How are you this morning? Did you sleep well?”
She liked this brother… well, she liked all of them if she was honest, but this one was the gentlest. He had been the one to soothe his sister’s fears and worries.
“I did, and now we are leaving.”
He was dressed elegantly, as they all usually were. The Deville brothers were men who wore clothes well. Their sister had been in charge of ordering what they wore from their tailor. She wondered who did it now.
“Hello, Walter.” Michael dropped down to his haunches before the dog. “You are indeed a fine fellow as my brother said.”
Walter’s lips curved on one side as Michael scratched his chest.
“He likes that.”
“So I see. Has he been outside yet?”
“I was just about to do that before we left.” Dimity seized on his words. “Thank you for the hospitality, but we must get going.”
Michael rose to his feet, forcing her to look up at him. All Deville brothers were tall, with dark coloring, and far too handsome to Dimity’s mind. There was a touch of the wild about each one, almost like they appeared tamed and yet that was merely a facade.
“Fairfax, take Walter outside, then feed him, please. Once he is done, bring him to the dining parlor.”
“I can do it, please don’t—”
“Come along, Dimity, we need to get to the breakfast table before my brothers eat everything.” Michael pulled the lead from her fingers and handed it to Fairfax.
“Fairfax may be scared of dogs,” she hissed, trying to dig her heels into the polished tiles and failing.
“Are you scared of dogs, Fairfax?” Michael asked the butler.
“No indeed.” The butler smiled. “I was raised with large hounds. It’s wonderful to have this bonny fellow in the house. Come along now, lad, we’ll see to your needs.”
“Good lord, did you see that, Dimity? Fairfax smiled.”
“He smiles. You and your brothers just don’t see it when he does,” Dimity said, attempting to shake free of the grip he had on her arm. “Release me, please.”
“Surely you don’t want to face the world without your morning meal?” He tugged her up the stairs, then along the hall to the dining parlor.
“I have things to do.”
“Gabe told me everything, Dimity. Why not let us help you?”
“I don’t want help. I can look after myself.”
“Of that I do not doubt, but clearly things are not going to plan at the moment. Perhaps we can help you with that?” Michael said the words gently as he opened the door.
“I don’t want to see your brothers and have them all pity me,” Dimity whispered.
“My brothers are good men, and none of them would ever be foolish enough to pity you, Dimity Brown.”
He placed a hand on her spine and pushed, so she could do nothing but walk through the door.
There were three Deville brothers seated at the table. Gabe, who rose to his feet as she entered. He sat at the head. Next to him was Nathanial, or Nathan as he was known, and across from him the youngest Deville, Zachariel. He was the cheekiest, and his brothers simply called him Zach.
There was no doubting they were related, yet each had a difference. Gabe had the dark hair shot through with silver and eyes that were almost black. Michael had brown hair and blue eyes. Nathanial was dark like Gabe, and Zachariel had black hair with blue eyes. All tall, all dangerously handsome. All now stood as she approached.
“I found Dimity about to leave, so coaxed her to join us for our morning meal. Our table has been sadly missing feminine company since Abby left,” Michael said, nudging her into a seat beside Nathanial.
“Yes indeed, it’s lovely to see you again, Dimity,” Nathanial said. Zachariel gave her a friendly smile, then started eating. Food, Dimity had realized during the time she spent here, was a very serious business to these men.
“Where is Walter?” Gabe asked, forcing her to look at him. He looked big, vibrant, and far too self-assured. She suddenly wished she’d taken the time to brush her hair.
“Fairfax is seeing to his needs, then will bring him here,” Michael said cheerfully, as if it was every day that she stayed in this male bastion with her dog.
“Excellent. I want to meet him,” Zach said.
“Pour tea for Miss Brown, please, Emily.” Gabe nodded to a maid.
“I can pour it,” Dimity muttered, reaching for the pot. “As can you all.”
“Pardon?” Gabe raised a brow.
“Nothing.” Dimity smiled at Emily, one of the maids she’d become friendly with while working here. She then poured her own tea.
“Can I make you some toast, Miss Brown?”
“My name is Dimity, as you very well know, Emily. And no, I will be fine with tea, thank you. Perhaps you can replenish the pot however, as I’m sure they will require more.” She stood and handed it to the maid.
“Are you finished directing my staff?” Gabriel asked.
“Yes.” Dimity sat again and reached for her cup.
“Excellent. Now get up and fill your plate or I will do it for you.”
“I don’t eat a morning meal.” Dimity lifted her chin. She wouldn’t be intimidated by him today as she had been last night.
“Good God, really? How is it you keep body and soul together if you don’t start eating early?” Zach asked her.
“For some there is not a great supply of food at their disposal,” she said before she could stop herself. She had always spoken without thought; or at least, she did think about it, but still said the words anyway.
“We are aware that for some food is limited, Dimity, but as there is a great supply on our sideboard, you can eat some,” Lord Raine said calmly.
She didn’t answer him, simply picked up her tea and sipped. He was no longer her employer. She absolutely did not have to do what he said.
Chapter Eight
Gabe hadn’t taken his eyes of Dimity since she’d entered the parlor. Her hair was scraped back in a bun. She’d missed several curls that fell down her back. Her clothes were creased; in fact, she was as far from the immaculately presented Miss Brown as she could get. As she had been last night. She had bruises beneath her eyes, and her face was pale.
Why do I still find her beautiful?
“I am leaving.” Her chin rose. It was a gesture he was familiar with. Every time she’d taken him to task for something he’d done to Abby, this was the look she’d given him.
“Come now, Dimity, have some food.” Michael shot Gabe a look that he loosely interpreted to mean be nice, then came around and took her arm, leading her to the sideboard.
Dimity relented, as most woman did when faced with the charm of a Deville brother, and more importantly this one.
Gabe watched the sway of her skirts as she walked to the sideboard and studied the dishes. Michael loaded up her plate while she protested.
“She looks different,” Nathan said from the side of his mouth. “Thinner, pale, and I hardly believe I’m saying this about the formidable Miss Brown, but vulnerable. Last night I was surprised by your actions; today I am not.”
Gabe nodded, his eyes still on her.
“Tea and breakfast will set you to rights, Dimity.”
“Thank you.” She returned to her seat. “But I do not need setting to rights.”
The conversation around the table restarted, with his brothers discussing nothing overly taxing and including Dimity. They were good at that, making people comfortable. It had been their father’s skill too.
She responded with a strained smile and few words. He watched her eat slowly, cutting her food into tiny pieces, as if savoring each mouthful.
Why was she working in that bar and prostituting herself? Anger at what she’d been reduced to had Gabe looking down at his plate so she didn’t see it on his face.
“They’ve started an investig
ative service, can you believe it?” Zach said. “I was talking to Warwick Sinclair just two evenings ago, and he told me he and his sisters have a steady stream of clients from all walks of life.”
“They’re Sinclairs.” Nathan shrugged. “They are an odd bunch, along with those Ravens. No one expects them to be normal. Society simply looks the other way, as they are powerful families.”
“And good families,” Gabe added.
“And good families,” Nathan agreed. “All married to each other and living in the same street, which is also odd.”
“They often work for little or no money. Apparently it’s just a service they wish to provide, and they seem good at it,” Michael added.
“It’s all a bit strange though, don’t you think?” Zach said.
“They hurt no one,” Gabe said.
“I did not suggest otherwise,” Zach added testily. He was still young enough to be testy when he felt someone was challenging him.
“Do you know the Sinclair and Raven families, Dimity?” Gabe asked her, noticing she seemed interested in the conversation.
“No, I do not, and fail to see how I could, considering they are nobility.”
“Not all of them are nobility,” Gabe added.
She looked down at her plate and away from his eyes.
“And yet I know no one of that name.”
Her wrists were certainly skinnier than they had been when last he saw her. Cheeks more hollow.
All eyes turned as the door opened and in bounded Walter with a loud woof. He made for Dimity.
“I’m sorry, Miss Brown, he slipped his collar.” Fairfax held the lead in his hand.
“Is that a necktie?” Nathan looked at the length of grubby grey cloth attached to Walter’s collar.
“One of mine, actually,” Gabe drawled.
Walter left Dimity and made for Gabe, clearly happy with seeing him again. After all, he was responsible for his current, much more comfortable, situation.
“Hello, Walter, I hope you slept well.” Gabe scratched behind his ear, which had the dog whining softly. He then handed him a slice of ham from his plate.
“I don’t think you should be feeding him from the table,” Dimity said.
“Why?” He held her eyes.
“It’s bad manners.”
“I doubt he’s had much to celebrate in his life, and this is likely the first slice of ham he has tasted. I see no reason to deny him that treat.”
Her lips pressed into a straight line, but she didn’t reply. Gabe watched Walter work the room. He moved to each of his brothers and placed one paw gently on a thigh. Each gave him food and a scratch.
“And now if you will excuse me, we must be on our way.” Dimity wiped her mouth delicately, then placed her knife and fork together on the plate. She got to her feet.
“Where to?” Gabe got to his also.
“I have things I need to do.” She wouldn’t meet his eyes.
“You have no job and no lodgings,” he said in a flat, hard tone that had his brothers falling silent.
“I have lodgings.” She glared at him.
“No, that room you were staying in could loosely be termed a hovel, but not lodgings. If you are determined to find a place to stay, I will help you. Now gather your things, and we shall leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” She shot his brothers a look, and he wondered if she hoped they would intercede on her behalf. They didn’t, clearly agreeing with Gabe that he needed to help Dimity.
“Accept the help that is offered freely, Dimity.” Gabe sighed.
She had the grace to blush.
“Very well, and thank you for all you have done for me and Walter. Now I need to return to the room briefly before we depart.”
“You are most welcome. I will see you in the front entrance shortly.”
Dimity gave him a curt nod, her lips clamped in a straight line.
“Good day.” She moved away from the table, curtseyed beside the door, then left.
“That went well.” Nathan sat back in his chair.
“Very,” Michael added. “Anyone else find it strange how our leader is all silver tongued and simpering with other woman, but not Miss Brown?”
“Shut up,” Gabe snapped, still glaring at the door. “Fairfax, make sure she doesn’t leave. Go and station yourself by the front door and look busy.”
“I believe there is a painting in need of attention there,” his butler said in his calm way.
“Which painting?” Zach asked.
“Who cares which bloody painting,” Gabe snapped.
“If it’s that horrid one with the ship, I say take it down and burn it, Fairfax.”
“That’s worth a considerable sum of money.” Gabe turned to his youngest brother.
“Value clearly does not equate to taste.”
“Please go, Fairfax.” Gabe pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn’t discount Dimity making a run for it.
“So, about my earlier point which you’ve ignored,” Michael said.
“She’s an annoying woman, which is why I am not silver tongued with her,” Gabe gritted out. “And I never simper.”
“If the women you met in the evenings saw the ruthless side to your nature, they would likely run in the other direction,” Zach added. “It is like you are two people.”
“I am not ruthless, I am fair.”
His brothers all laughed loudly.
“I am fair!”
“Fair, yes, but ruthless also,” Nathan added. “Dimity has never been scared of you. I find I respect her very much for that.”
“Is there a reason my character is under attack?”
“Attack is a strong word. We’re merely pointing faults out in a gentle manner so you can correct them and find a wife,” Zach said.
“You’re all provoking me,” Gabe snarled. “Don’t think I’m unaware of that. And this conversation is over.”
“Not by a long shot,” Nathan said. “So, what is the situation with you and Miss Brown? You’ve always been like circling dogs.”
“This subject is no longer under discussion. There is no situation. I was her employer, and now Abby wishes me to look out for her friend, which I am doing.”
“I’m sure one of us could do that if you wish to spend no more time in her company,” Michael said. “And indeed, why are you bothering at all? You were more than happy to release her from your employ when she was Abby’s piano teacher.”
“Abby asked me to find her,” Gabe gritted out. “And now I have, and realize her situation is dire, I cannot in good conscience let her live that way.”
“Why?” Michael asked, and Gabe thought about ending the conversation by planting his fist in his brother’s face. After all, he’d done that before.
“I’ve explained why,” he said with exaggerated patience.
“But it would be easier and more harmonious if we do it,” Zach added.
“I will do it,” he snapped. “She’ll outmaneuver you lot with ease.”
“Harsh,” Nathan said. “And she likes us, so it’s likely she won’t.”
That statement annoyed him far more than it should, because it suggested she did not like him, which she didn’t.
Looking at his brothers, he saw they were focused intently on him. “Do I have food on my face?”
“You’ve always been different with her,” Michael said.
“Because she’s bloody annoying!” The words exploded from his mouth. “Now, I need to go. I shall meet you all in the boxing saloon at midday.” He left knowing they’d be discussing him before the door closed.
He refused to consider what his brothers had said about Dimity. She was no different to any woman; he treated her as he did all the others.
Liar.
“She’s not down yet then, Fairfax?” he said when he arrived in the front entrance of his townhouse.
“No indeed. I’ll go and alert her that you are ready, my lord.”
Gabe slapped his hat
against his thigh as he wandered around the entranceway. Standing under the painting Zach said he disliked, Gabe studied it. His brother was right; it was ugly. He wondered what had possessed him to purchase it.
“She has gone, my lord.”
Spinning on his heel, Gabe looked at his butler, who was running down the stairs.
“Slow down or you’ll fall.” Gabe raised a hand. “How is it she has gone when you were stationed at the front door, Fairfax?”
“My guess is she used the servants’ entrance, my lord.”
Why had he not thought of that? She knew where it was, of course, having worked here. Cursing himself for being a fool, he said, “Lead the way there then, Fairfax. We will question the staff to ascertain if indeed this is the way Miss Brown left the house or she’s hiding somewhere.”
“I doubt she’d be able to hide with Walter.” His butler hurried with Gabe on his heels.
“There is that.”
His staff were seated around a large table, eating. All look horrified when he stepped into the room. Raising a hand, he bade them to stay seated.
“Please do not rise, I merely wish to ask if any of you have seen Miss Brown and her dog?”
“She was here, my lord, but has now left.”
These words were from one of his footmen, Hogan. Something niggled in his memory. Abby had mentioned that he and Dimity had been friends.
“Did she tell you where she was going, Hogan?”
“I’m sorry, no. I tried to get her to stay and asked her where she was living and working, but she said she couldn’t stop but would return soon to visit with us.”
“I’ll find her.” Gabe left. Temper dogging each step, he stormed back to the front entrance. “Foolish bloody woman.”
Chapter Nine
Dimity ran down the street away from the Deville townhouse as fast as she could. At least the rain had stopped. It was still cool, but the promise of the return of good weather hung in the air. Walter galloped happily beside her with a full belly, thinking it a great deal of fun. Dimity didn’t think it fun at all—in fact, she was gripped with panic.
She needed employment desperately and a place to stay. Those had to be her focus, and not the angry earl she’d left behind.