Page 5 of Miss Kimble Bites Back (Revenge of the Wallflowers #28)

CHAPTER FIVE

Gabby, would you make haste? We are going to be late! Bennett called to her from the lower floor.

Her cousin Bennett could be the slowest man in the entire world, but today, Gabby was the one dragging her feet. She was on her way to visit Lord Mamble s home, but it was his sister who she was most worried about meeting.

The prisoner. Although why Mamble would invite her to meet Lady Cordelia still seemed odd to her. But she was going—and she had all the money she possessed tucked into her reticule, and the address of a friend who could harbor Lady Cordelia, should the duke s sister wish to escape his clutches.

She hurried downstairs and into her cousin s carriage, breathless. She took a deep breath once they were underway. Her stomach was full of flutters. How would Mamble behave? Why would he want her to meet his sister?

She was eager to see the duke again, though, bad reputation or not. She had enjoyed their conversation last night. No other gentleman seemed to want to know her opinions the way he did. But it was so odd that the duke had invited them so early that she d not slept a wink last night.

When they arrived before the grand entranceway, Bennett bounded out of the carriage. Gabby descended more slowly, looking up at the building s facade as her feet touched the ground. Mamble House didn t look like a prison. It was an impressive abode though, just like all the rest in the Grosvenor Square seemed to be.

A smiling butler invited them in and took Bennett s hat and gloves and Gabby s pelisse. He led them toward the back of the building, through a series of twists and turns that thoroughly confused Gabby before they stopped outside a wide set of closed doors.

They entered into a sunny, bright chamber. There was a canary singing in one corner, and a meal on the table. On the far side of the round table stood the Duke of Mamble, and by his side was a woman of incomparable beauty. Gabby had definitely never seen the duke s sister before, or she would have certainly remembered that face. The woman wore a soft green round gown, her blonde hair pulled back from her face and secured at the nape of her neck.

Not a shackle in sight though.

Quickly realizing she was staring at the woman, she glanced at the duke. Mamble was dressed informally this morning. Clad in a navy-blue waistcoat and breeches with a white linen shirt whose sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, he seemed entirely at ease.

Gabby dipped a deep curtsy, but as she rose, she realized something was amiss. Bennett had not bowed.

Mamble remained on his feet, now tense, and there was an odd expression on his face as he looked across at them. Gabby glanced to the side. Bennett was there—staring—clearly struck dumb by their surroundings or the exalted company. She subtly elbowed him, and he stumbled through a smooth recovery that impressed her.

Mamble s shoulders eased down, and he invited them to sit as he introduced his sister, Lady Cordelia.

It s a pleasure to finally meet you, Gabby said to the woman.

And you, she replied, then glanced deferentially at her brother.

Mr. Bennett Kimble and Miss Gabriella Kimble are distant relations of Esme s, Cordelia, he murmured. Cousins in fact.

Several times removed, Kimble added quickly. We were never particularly close, and it was only by chance that we were reunited when we came to London.

Gabby came out this year, Mamble supplied, when Cordelia only nodded. You can imagine the plans Esme s making to support her relation s first season, and to make it a great success. It is a pity you could not have met her at the Pendleberry s ball last night.

I was sorry you were not there, too, Gabby enthused. It was a wonderful evening, full of dancing and lively conversation.

I was indisposed, Cordelia murmured, eyes lowering demurely. I wish you all the luck in the world for your season.

The duke nodded to his sister and then gestured to the table. We eat informally in the morning, so you will have to make do with me serving you both, he said, moving to the sideboard. Cordelia, might I offer you another pastry?

No, thank you, Cordelia answered swiftly.

He glanced over his shoulder. Are you sure? Cook has outdone himself today.

Yes, Sebastian. I am quite sure that I want nothing more today.

All the more for us then, he said with a heavy sigh. Would you mind serving my guests tea, or coffee if Mr. Kimble prefers that?

Gabby saw Lady Cordelia flinch, but she stood and moved around the table, pouring Gabby a cup of strong black tea. Gabby couldn t help but notice that her hands shook, and a drop of tea spilled on the pearly white tablecloth. The woman s breath hitched. Pained and more panicked than it ought to be for such a spill.

Bennett refused tea or coffee, and Cordelia resumed her chair and turned her attention to her plate as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world. But her cheeks were pink from embarrassment over the spilled drop—as if she d made a terrible faux pas.

When Gabby reached for her teacup to take a sip from, she moved her saucer slightly so the duke would not see the spill when he returned to the table and become cross about it.

The duke brought platter after platter to Gabby and Bennett so they could select what they wanted and tried to get his sister to take an extra helping of eggs, which she refused. Gabby felt a little awkward about the duke waiting on them like a servant, but he merely smiled and brought yet another dish for her to choose from.

She was relieved when he finally sat down to resume his own meal. My sister and I eat together often. I always tell Cordelia a good meal and conversation sets the right tone for the day, he said.

You do always say that. A tiny smile appeared on Cordelia s face as she glanced at her brother, but Gabby noticed she was pushing food around on her plate and not eating.

Cordelia was uneasy. Truly, how much of a tyrant could the duke be at home?

My cousin and I eat together often, as well, Gabby said to Cordelia, hoping to draw her out. It does set the tone for the day to share a meal with someone you care for. I have such fun planning extravagant birthday dinners for Bennett each year, too.

She always serves too much food, Bennett confessed, patting his flat stomach. But it is just once a year, and I appreciate being spoiled as much as the next man.

Cordelia glanced sideways at her brother and frowned. Sebastian used to enjoy them as well.

Used to? Did he not let her do anything?

I m sure you must have hosted some wondrous dinners over the years for him and his closest friends, she said. I d love to hear about them sometime. Perhaps I could make Bennett s next birthday even better than the last.

Cordelia mumbled something, but Gabby didn t catch it all, and she dared to ask the woman to repeat herself.

The duke raised a brow and then glanced sideways at his sister, clearly giving her permission to answer the question honestly. Cordelia regarded him for a long time and then mumbled, He wants me to act as his hostess, but I don t want to.

Gabby s smile slipped. You don t?

Cordelia stood abruptly, setting her napkin aside. Please, you must excuse me.

Cordelia, please remain, the duke said, almost begging her not to go.

But his sister shook her head. I will see you tomorrow.

I ll see you for dinner tonight, the duke countered. Mamble rose and reached for the woman s hand. Come and find me if you want to talk later. I will be staying in all day, and night as well.

Lady Cordelia s smile was quick and then she excused herself from the room, rushing away so fast she could not have heard Gabby s or Bennett s hasty farewells.

The duke pursed his lips, clearly disappointed she d gone, and then lowered himself to his chair again with a heavy sigh. It was worth a try.

Gabby narrowed her eyes at him. A try?

The duke s eyes flashed dangerously, and she could tell he was angry with her for speaking out. He rested his arm on the table between them and growled, She s afraid of everyone but me. And then he made a visible effort to control his temper. He moved back and shrugged. My sister dislikes company. Her black moods can last for weeks. I had wondered, hoped, that an introduction to strangers might spark her curiosity.

Gabby gaped. Melancholy?

I m sure it s nothing like that. Bennett whispered, leaning toward her.

Then she is afraid of him , Gabby insisted. Afraid of putting a foot wrong in his presence like the rumors suggest.

Gabby! Bennett chided quickly. She did not mean that, your grace.

The duke met her gaze, and when he spoke, a smile appeared. Do you really believe Cordelia was kept as my prisoner, like every other fool does? They whisper of my cruelty. Tell everyone I keep her locked up day and night. He shook his head. Of course, you believed them . Why else would you so eagerly come? To gawk and stare.

No one sees her, she whispered.

She won t see people. Not here, not anywhere, unless she is surprised by their arrival like today. Ask Esme how often Cordelia is at home to her. They were close once. Mamble looked past her to address Bennett. Sir, I believe I promised you a private word. Come along to my study now. Miss Kimble can remain here. I assure you the servants will take good care of her while you are gone. They won t even lock her in.

Your grace— she began quickly.

But the duke cut her off with an impatient wave of his hand and a growl of enough and headed out the door.

That was not well done, Gabby. Not well done at all, Bennett chided, and he patted her shoulder awkwardly as he passed her chair, dutifully following the duke from the room for his private meeting.

Gabby kept her back straight until she could no longer hear him and then slumped, filled with shame. She ought to have given him the benefit of the doubt. If she had known more, though, she might not have been so quick to judge, too. Gabby was no stranger to melancholy. Her papa had suffered. Suffered in silence, with only Gabby becoming aware of his struggles much too late to have done him any good.

If Cordelia was afflicted like her own father, then she understood why no one saw the woman. The duke had her sympathy, for what it was worth.

She pushed back from her chair and stood, angry with herself for listening to gossip. For believing Justine and her older sister about the situation here without question. She had wronged the duke and Lady Cordelia, too.

Clearly, the duke liked his sister. They took breakfast together every day and dined together too. He urged her to eat, although the lady had no great appetite. The duke had gently tried to engage her in conversation and begged her to stay.

Gabby paced the room in agitation. Guilt eating her up and wondering what she could do about that. Her friend Justine and others were spreading gossip that was so very wrong.

At Cordelia s chair, she happened to glance down and noticed the napkin that would have been on the woman s lap; it was wrinkled from being twisted by nervous hands. Papa had done that toward the end, too.

Had Gabby and Bennett s arrival been the cause of her anxiety, or was that an everyday habit? Papa had done it every day, and when he was alone, too. He had also refused to let his chambers be cleaned properly, adding more and more possessions with each passing year.

It broke Gabby s heart that a woman as beautiful and gentle as Lady Cordelia appeared to be, could be, afraid of company.

She closed her eyes.

Afraid of her.

Papa had been like that sometimes but, being a man, he could be rude and curt with friends and family and not be thought odd for a long time. Somehow, she had to make things right. She had angered the duke today, and he would be in the right to wash his hands of their acquaintance entirely. She d proven herself to be no better than a fool. If only she had not assumed the worst of the situation. Yet so many people in society whispered about Mamble—and so unfairly. She must apologize to him and try to make things better between them immediately. She would freely admit that to him today.

Gabby headed for the door and stepped out into the hall. To her right was the twisting path she d taken to get here.

To the left, the unknown.

But then the duke emerged from a chamber down the hall, striding out to cross to another room with a book in his hand. He saw her standing there and paused, a frown on his face. Gabby squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. Your grace.

He came toward her slowly, scowling. Is something wrong, Miss Kimble?

Not with me. Not now, she promised, wetting her lips. I merely wanted to say how very sorry I am that I believed the gossip. I wanted to apologize for the insinuations I made today, and I understand that you might never wish to acknowledge me again. I would deserve the cut.

He pursed his lips and drew closer still. His eyes searched hers, and he nodded. It is not easy to know the truth about other people.

But I should not have leaped to a wrong conclusion and accused you of wrongdoing at your own table. You re taking care of your sister as best you can, she told him. I respect you for that.

And then, because he looked so very surprised by her words, she stretched up on her toes and dropped a kiss on his cheek the way she would finish an apology to Bennett.

Mamble s skin was warm and slightly rough against her lips, and he smelled of the most divine shaving lotion. He smelled so good that she put her hand on his chest to steady herself as her knees suddenly trembled. Her thoughts about the duke had come full circle and were finally in the right order again though. He was a man worthy of admiration.

He met her gaze, and his eyes were hard. The other rumors about me are true, he said quietly. I am still a man, Miss Kimble, and right now you are in grave danger of being kissed witless.

Although it was meant as a threat, Gabby found that funny. I ve never been kissed before, witless or otherwise.

The tips of his fingers were suddenly pressing against her middle and pushing her back into the morning room, where he d left her earlier. He followed, a predatory gleam shining in his eyes. The same look he d leveled at her in the Windermeres library. Gabby gulped and nearly stumbled. Perhaps it wasn t wise to put her entire trust in the duke s good nature in all matters.

In fact, she might have just made a grave blunder seeking him out. There would be no Lady Windermere to save her today, and Bennett was clearly occupied elsewhere.

The duke s fingers rose and captured her face, tilting it up toward his firmly until she couldn t look anywhere but into his eyes. They were so blue, and he studied her face in a way that made her pulse race with anticipation. Gabby s eyes fluttered closed of their own accord. The next moment, she could feel his breath whisper across her lips, and hers parted as she waited for her first kiss to be delivered.

But his fingers dropped away and the kiss she expected never came.

Gabby opened her eyes to see him some distance away, at the door.

You deserve someone better than me for your first kiss, Miss Gabriella Kimble, he whispered. You cannot get what you might wish for from someone like me.

Gabby blinked several times, still off balance from his nearness. What is it I wish for?

A husband, he answered curtly, then he was gone, slipping out the door, leaving an empty space before her and a similar strange emptiness in her soul. She shook her head to clear her confusion and hurried out to the hall again, but Mamble had well and truly vanished this time. Returning to Bennett, no doubt, who would not be at all happy that the duke had almost kissed her, or to know Gabby might have even let him.

Gabby turned about and went to sit at the breakfast table again in a state of utter confusion. She d almost been kissed today, and to her considerable surprise, she wasn t the least bit sorry it had almost happened. But she was puzzled by her own behavior. Shouldn t she have felt guilty?

Wasn t her great love another man? Lord Brookes. But he d been far from her mind that morning. In fact, her only thought today had been for the duke, and what he must be going through taking care of his troubled sister.

He had her sympathy and hope that somehow everything would be all right. Yet it was not up to him but Lady Cordelia. It was her life, and Lady Cordelia had to find the will to live it fully or not. Gabby knew from experience that there was little Mamble could do to help his sister than he must already have tried.

When Bennett returned to her alone, solemn, and she was disappointed that the duke was not with him. She had no chance to even see him, as Bennett was keen to be on their way again. He did not look happy with her at all and spoke little on the carriage ride home. But he waited until they were in the privacy of his study, he spoke his mind about her groundless accusations. And the likely repercussions of falling out of favor with so close an acquaintance of Lady Windermere s. A woman she depended on.