Page 30 of Miss Kimble Bites Back

If today went well, it might mean many more intimate gatherings with other women could take place in his home. If it went badly, Cordelia might never recover her confidence, and he would not see Gabby again, most likely.

He did not want that.

He affected a nonchalant air, though, as he sauntered into the room and clapped his hands together to get his sister’s attention. Today had to go well. “Ready?”

“Not quite,” Cordelia warned, adjusting a little figurine on the mantel a quarter turn. She was looking remarkably elegant today. Her rose-pink modest gown was simple enough for the occasion of meeting a potential new friend, while reminding everyone of her position in society. Her hair was upswept in an older style she’d favored, and there was even a hint of color on her cheeks again. “There now. That has bothered me for a very long time.”

He laughed softly. “Has it now?”

“Indeed. Mother never let me change anything,” Cordelia confided, with a rueful laugh.

“Well, she’s not here to stop you doing anything anymore,” he promised before dropping a kiss on her brow for added reassurance. “You can go on making changes if you like. This is your home.”

“I know, and I want everything to go perfectly today,” Cordelia announced, her grin expanding as she surveyed her realm.

“If there’s any lack, it will not be on your part,” he promised, intrigued by her high expectations for the morning.

Gabby was something of a mystery still, but he could hardly expect her to be disappointed at being received by a duke’s beloved sister for a second time.

The knocker sounded, and he turned about, automatically straightening his cravat and pulling down his waistcoat. He was nervous about seeing Gabby, and about what might have happened after he’d left the ball last night. Just how many undeserving swains had approached Gabby to dance because of his renewed attentions this time?

Had Brookes sought her out?

The man she’d wanted to wed when they had first met.

He forced his uncertainty aside as the butler announced the Kimbles, and his heart did the tiniest of flips at the sight of Gabby gliding gracefully into the room.

She was simply dressed for her morning call. Her dark hair was pinned at the back of her neck, but a few stray curls had escaped to curl around her face and slender throat. He wanted to brush them back, so he had an unobstructed view of her skin.

Pleasantries were exchanged, the weather commented upon, and then Cordelia coughed. He turned to her in alarm, but she only smiled. “You are excused, brother.”

He gaped a moment before remembering he’d summoned Kimble to discuss Gabby with him in private. “Indeed. Come along, Kimble. Let’s not bore the ladies with our business.”

“We would not be bored by you, your grace,” Gabby answered. “But we ladies have important matters to discuss.”

He inclined his head, secretly pleased with her response. She was smart and no wilting wallflower. But the priority today was Cordelia.

Kimble seemed to make a point to bid Cordelia adieu.

In the hall, he caught Kimble’s eye. “I appreciate you both coming.”

“Gabby was excited by the invitation,” Kimble began. “She has been worried she might have upset your sister. She is very keen to know your sister better and make amends for her mistake,” Kimble said. “I’m sure you must understand why.”

Sebastian frowned at the man. “I don’t follow you, I’m afraid?”

“Her father,” Kimble said, and then sighed. “Ah, Esme didn’t tell you how I came to be Gabby’s guardian then.”

He’d not truly questioned Esme about her cousin for fear the woman might have read too much into his enquiries. “What about her father?” he asked.

“On the surface, Maxwell Kimble was a proud and happy man. Married, with a child he adored. Respected by all. But there were times when a black melancholy would descend over him. When his wife died, those black periods recurred with greater frequency.”

“Gabby knew about it?” Sebastian glanced back to the open doorway and beyond, where Gabby now sat with Cordelia.

“Gabby saw it all, until the end,” Kimble explained.

Sebastian’s stomach pitted and rolled. “How did her father die?”

Kimble held up one hand. “In his sleep, during a rare happy period in his life.”