Page 75 of The Best Marquess

“Lady Pinehurst…I’m Finlay’s sister. Well, his half-sister. Nerissa here is his niece.”

The shocking words hit her like a tree trunk crashing through a roof, and Pippa’s mouth dropped open as she stared uncomprehendingly at Finn’s guest. “Beg pardon?”

Abby sighed. “The late Lord Pinehurst was my father. No, that’s not correct. He was never a father. But he did impregnate my mother. She was an actress. Unlike some illegitimate children, I was never acknowledged. I’m older than Finlay, by the way. I was inconveniently born just after the marquess announced his betrothal to his future marchioness, so it was all very awkward. I take it that is not what you thought to be true?”

“I…ah…no,” said Pippa, swaying between astonished and mortified. Now she was studying the woman with something resembling rationality, it was patently obvious Abby and Finn were related. They had the same brown eyes, with enviably long lashes. The same thick eyebrows, the same nose, and same little curve of the ear. If it weren’t for the hair, they might have been twins. “Sitting next to each other…you do look startlingly similar.”

“Yes,” said Finn. “That struck me as well. I only found out late last year, quite by accident. I went to a warehouse in Cheapside looking for mask trim. I asked the nearest assistant if they had any pink dyed feathers, and that assistant squawked and ran away from me.”

Abby coughed. “Excuse me, I did not squawk.”

“We’ll agree to disagree. But there was something about that face I had to see again, so I followed her up and down the aisles—”

“Like an escaped Bedlamite.”

Finn snorted. “Like a Bow Street Runner on a mission. And finally caught up with her next to a glass case of paste gems. But one more look at her face, and I knew. And she knew that I knew. So, I invited her to the tavern next door for a brandy and a bowl of beef stew. The brandy was terrible but the stew was rather tasty.”

“I told him everything that I knew about my mother and Lord Pinehurst,” added Abby. “Friends of hers from the theater provided more substantial detail. It was a long day, and ended up being quite emotional for us both. But we did pledge to stay in touch.”

“After that I confronted my father,” said Finn, his hands gripping his thighs. “He exploded with temper, tried to deny it all. But the truth was in his eyes. That is why our relationship worsened these past few months. He hated the fact that I offered Abby and Nessie rooms at Golden Square because they were living in a damp and overcrowded charity boarding house. The man remained utterly terrified that others would discover who Abby was, rightly label him the worst of hypocrites, and shun him. But no matter what, I wasn’t going to abandon my sister and niece. After Father passed, I purchased the townhouse in Golden Square so Abby and Nessie would always have a home.”

Reeling at the information, Pippa tried to pull herself together. Although it still rankled that he’d kept such momentous news from her, the reason why did make sense. “I do understand. And I…er…humbly apologize for thinking the worst. And bellowing like a fishmonger.”

Abby nodded as she rubbed her wriggling daughter’s back. “It was a perfectly reasonable conclusion, and if your grandmother believes it, no doubt many others do as well. But it’s just not true. What is true: how grateful I am to have a warm, comfortable place to live, and interesting employment. I love working at Bliss, and my bookkeeping experience certainly helps; Finlay is wonderfully creative, but not at all mathematical, and he is so messy.”

Pippa choked on a laugh. “Never a truer word has been spoken.”

“Excuse me, I am right here,” Finn protested. “And the damned marquess. Some respect if you please.”

“Language in front of children, your imperial highness,” said Abby, raising one eyebrow.

“Naughty Sweetie,” said Nerissa, shaking her finger at him.

For some unknown reason, Finn being chastised by a toddler shoved her over the edge, and Pippa began to giggle until her shoulders shook and tears streamed down her face. “Y-yes. Sweetie.”

“Sweetie because I am the provider of marzipan,” said Finn with great dignity, although his eyes glinted with amusement. “But I like to think also because I am delightful.”

“Occasionally delightful.”

“Occasionally?” he replied, the glint heating to something darker and headier. “My darling Pippa, that cuts me as deeply as satisfactory.”

Abby coughed again. “I do believe that is our cue to depart, you two obviously have, hmmm, matters to discuss. But I would ask that you not share my actual relationship to Finlay with anyone. If no flames are fanned, any gossip will die down much faster.”

“Very well,” said Pippa. “But we must have some sort of story ready, especially after today’s visit. Even a tight ship has the odd leak. A distant cousin, perhaps? No, that won’t work. Oooh, I know. The late Lord Pinehurst’s goddaughter from the country. He was so charitable, so unwilling to be praised for acts of kindness, that he kept the support of his…er…seafaring childhood playmate’s daughter a secret from everyone.”

Finn burst out laughing. “And by seafaring she means lovelorn pirate, Abby. You can’t read romance novels and not occasionally think of lovelorn pirates.”

“You know,” said Abby thoughtfully, as she got to her feet and shifted Nerissa onto her hip, “I do like the thought of being a lovelorn pirate’s daughter.”

“Sadly lost at sea, but when you stand on shore in certain weather, you can hear the sounds of cannons and the flash of gold as he leaps overboard clutching a treasure chest,” added Pippa. “We shall look forward to your next visit.”

Nerissa waved. “Bye, Pip Pip.”

Abby laughed. “I’m afraid it’s official now. You shall be Sweetie and Pip Pip, forevermore. I hope you’ll come and visit Bliss again soon, Lady Pinehurst.”

“Pippa. I’m Pippa. May I call you Abby? We are family after all.”

The other woman blinked. “Yes. Family. A new start for the Pinehurst name. I know you two will do great things together, Finlay. You’re a better man than him in all ways.”