Page 6 of Miss Kimble Bites Back (Revenge of the Wallflowers #28)

CHAPTER SIX

Sebastian lit another candle from the fire because it was late in the day now and he couldn t seem to shake the gloomy mood that had descended over him these past weeks, even with the company of a good friend. Another drink?

Any more and Esme will ring a peal over my head for drunkenness, Windermere murmured. I m to escort her to a dinner and then a ball later. Will you be there? At the Foxwood ball?

No. I ve already sent my apologies.

Windermere frowned to hear the news. You are in danger of becoming a recluse again. Hiding from society only strengthens the rumors.

I m not hiding. I go to my club, and riding each morning, too.

But I don t see you at dinners or out dancing like you were a few weeks ago. I could always stand another sensible man to talk to between sets or courses.

Is your wife not enough company for you now? Sebastian asked, surprised by Windermere s comments. They had gone months before without seeing each other, and he d never once complained.

She is but, Windermere said slowly, shifting uncomfortably in his chair, she s involved herself in a scheme I cannot fully support.

Sebastian stared at his friend in surprise. Windermere and his wife might actually have a disagreement over something at last. It had been all roses and heated looks since the moment they d married. Sebastian had assumed those two had put any difference of opinion firmly behind them when they d tied the knot. Apparently not all of them. What sort of scheme?

What was her favorite topic the last time you spoke to her?

He remembered, and Sebastian heaved a sigh. Which poor soul is she trying to get leg-shackled now?

I would not call Miss Kimble a poor soul. She seems willing enough to make any match now.

The mention of Gabby had him shifting in his chair too. I see. She s still got her heart set on Brookes?

Not only Brookes. There s Pendleberry s youngest, Holtby s heir, and Foxwood s middle son being talked of now. It s not right to corner my friends and acquaintances when they call on me at home, and I told her I won t have it again, for all the good that did me. Banished from my own drawing room since. She s even moved the pair in with us.

Which pair?

Bennett and Gabby Kimble, Windermere complained. Not that I mind Kimble s company, of course, but I would like to have been consulted before the offer was made.

Quite right, Sebastian agreed. She should have indeed.

After his talk with Kimble weeks ago, seeking clarity about his intentions toward his ward Gabby and receiving a denial he had any, Sebastian had turned his back on the pair and society at large.

Kimble had also expression concern about Cordelia s situation and his. The fact that Brookes had sought the man out just to warn him not to expect the duke s addresses to Gabby to be sincere or continue had been irritating but nothing but the truth though.

Sebastian had as much interest in marriage as Brookes did. Only Brookes never came out and said so. He d let women make a fool of themselves over him and enjoy it. Sebastian could not do that to any woman. Not after Cordelia had been so badly disappointed.

No, it was best if he let the gossip subside again and wait for news of Gabby s impending marriage before venturing into society again. It was fortunate he d made such a decision. He d avoided running headlong into her when he called on the Windermere s.

Sebastian had thought Gabby too inexperienced to make much of a challenge when first they d met. She wouldn t be like that for long after Esme s constant influence took hold.

Esme has taken it upon herself to take the girl under her wing and mold her in her own image. A new wardrobe, hairstyle, escorting her everywhere about Town. Whispering in her ear about things an innocent is likely not supposed to know about before marriage. It s been almost impossible to get my wife s attention these last weeks, Windermere continued on, unaware that his words were causing Sebastian equal parts amusement and concern. Gabby would flex her claws soon, no doubt, and the other gentlemen would fall under her spell. No man in his right mind would hesitate to seduce the young woman if given half the chance.

I d put down my foot about it all, Windermere continued, but she promises me that Gabby will have a proposal from someone any day now.

Sebastian s stomach did a strange flop. To whom?

Damned if I know or that they d warn me, he complained. When Sebastian looked up, Windermere was regarding him sternly. Can you at least promise to drop by tonight s ball? I could use some sensible company.

Sebastian frowned. He didn t feel very sensible right now. In fact, he felt compelled to go rescue Gabby from the man s wife. He had liked Gabby the way she was when they d met. Optimistic. You have Kimble. Your wife s cousin. Surely, as guardian, he has the final say on all matters concerning his ward s future.

Esme can be very persuasive when she wants to be. Kimble is happily going along with everything she wants done out of misplaced gratitude, so far. Yet can you tell me there s nothing better than a conversation with an old friend rather than a new one, Windermere said and then stood abruptly, glancing at his pocket watch and grimacing. And now I must go back. We re escorting Gabby to a luncheon, where my wife will probably not speak to me for hours. I miss the days when I had her complete attention. I suppose the only way to get her back might be to go along with her scheme to marry off Gabby as quickly as possible.

He left with the shake of his head, leaving Sebastian conflicted. Who would have thought Windermere would be so possessive of his wife s time and attention? His friend had been happily married, content and at ease, only a few weeks ago. But now he was pushed aside, relegated to an afterthought, while his wife helped Gabby snare herself a worthy husband.

Brookes, or someone just like him.

He growled softly, something he d caught himself doing more of lately. He d been on edge and was getting worked up over every little thing. He d even snapped at his valet this morning for taking too long with his shave. Not a good idea when the man had a sharp blade poised at his throat.

Even with Cordelia, he was losing patience. He wanted his sister back, the way she used to be before her season had changed her for the worse.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, worried suddenly about the changes he might discover in Gabby the next time they met. He growled again, moody, and restless still, and he knew exactly why, of course.

The kitten was out there, sharpening her claws and trying to win the heart of some poor fool, and it could be Brookes that still had her heart.

He d dreaded reading the newssheet, fearing he d see an announcement of a marriage in the paper, or overhear gossip at the club to that effect in these past few weeks. At least he assumed she was still trying to throw herself at that unworthy idiot, Brookes, but Esme might have found other, better prospects.

He pressed his head against the back of the chair and suppressed another groan.

Are you asleep? Cordelia whispered, and Sebastian snapped open his eyes immediately.

Just resting my head, he answered, watching her watching him from the safety of the doorway. It was so rare that Cordelia came down from her room this early in the afternoon, he didn t know what to say at first. He did not want to have her scurry off with a misplaced comment about his evening plans, not that he had any. Windermere was here, complaining that his wife is too busy for him.

That s odd. I thought they were happy.

Well, I think they are still, but Esme has decided to help Gabby Kimble snare herself a husband for the last few weeks and he s feeling overlooked. He ll get over it once Gabby is safely married off, Sebastian promised, but the last came out as a growl again.

Cordelia edged a little closer. It s kind of Esme to help her cousin. Gabby seemed nice when she was here.

I thought so too once.

Once? Her brow furrowed. Don t you think so anymore?

He shrugged. I haven t seen her lately.

Why not? Cordelia sat down across from him, a look of concern on her face. Do you not want to see her again?

I never said I didn t, he said quickly.

She sighed. Is she why you re always in a bad mood now?

He smiled quickly. I am not in a bad mood.

Cordelia nodded. Yes, you are. You re also bored. I can always tell.

I m never bored when you re around, he promised, giving her a reassuring smile he hoped hid his preoccupation with the very idea of other men courting Gabby Kimble. Of Gabby flirting with other men…or her tongue anywhere upon them.

Yes, you are , she claimed, but with a smile on her face. You always were. You ve too much energy to sit around the town house with me like this. You should go out, little brother. See people you like and who like you. Maybe you could dance with Miss Kimble at tonight s ball? I know you enjoyed it the last time.

He narrowed his eyes at her. How do you know we danced together when I never mentioned doing so?

Because you told me you did just now. Cordelia smiled impishly, and a little giggle even escaped her lips. You never could keep a secret from me when you were a lad. It s in what you don t say about the women you meet that gives you away. She made an impression, didn t she?

That she did, he admitted reluctantly. But not always in a good way.

You argued?

Perhaps we did, he said, watching Cordelia frown in response to that admission.

Cordelia nodded firmly. Then you need to talk it out with her.

We talked. And then he d almost kissed her. Even now he could still remember the expectation on her upturned face, the gentle scent of her perfume teasing his nostrils, and the certainty that he couldn t pursue the woman for a wife until Cordelia improved.

She had not won over Cordelia that day, but clearly the woman had not been forgotten. He d not realized how much he d hoped for that. But his sister had fled from Gabby and that was the end of it. At least, he d thought so until now.

You re not happy with the result of your last conversation with her, are you?

He smiled. He had been pleased that Gabby did not think him a monster, or Cordelia s gaoler either. I honestly don t know what I feel.

Ah, then that explains everything, Cordelia replied, folding her hands in her lap. You do like her, and not just a little bit, I suspect.

He d not seen Gabby in weeks. Weeks where he d prowled the house like an angry bear, wondering if he d made a mistake by not kissing her. I like her, he admitted.

I thought I would hear her name again, but you ve not spoken of Gabby since the morning she came.

Sebastian grunted. Although hiding herself away upstairs, lost in her own world, Cordelia had paid attention to what went on in his life. There is a problem with Gabby Kimble.

What could that possibly be?

She has set her heart on catching herself a fool to marry this season.

A particular fool, or any fool who thinks to have her?

Brookes. Viscount Brookes.

Cordelia made a face. She is far too smart for that man.

His sister had said not a word about approving of Gabby Kimble after her last visit. How do you know Gabby is smart?

Because you must think so. Cordelia winced. You wouldn t have introduced her to me if she wasn t someone you admired or respected. She smiled quickly. You used her first name from the very beginning.

She thought you were my prisoner, Cordie, as many in society do still, he murmured. She knows better now that she s met you.

Cordelia looked down at her hands. I m sorry I didn t make a better impression when we met. Had I known of your interest, I would have tried harder to ignore the flutters in my stomach and stayed.

You did fine, he assured her. But she s in love with that fool, Brookes, and that is the end of it. Esme will ensure she marries well.

Cordelia stood. I m sorry she s already fallen in love, Sebastian. If she d met you first, it would have been you she fell for. You re ten times the man Brookes could ever be.

Thank you, sister.

Cordelia frowned suddenly. I would like to see her again. Here. Tomorrow. You and her guardian can take tea or do whatever men do while we talk again, she announced suddenly. I promise I won t run away this time.

Cordelia smiled and swept out of the room then, leaving Sebastian stunned by her announcement. She d never wanted anyone around before. But it seemed discussing Gabby, a woman he admitted he liked, had finally loosened her tongue and eased her mind.

Sebastian breathed a sigh of relief and ran a hand over his face.

If this went well, perhaps Cordelia might invite Gabby and even others for tea in the future.

Feeling a great weight lift from his shoulders, he grinned and stood, his restlessness and bad mood purged by a single conversation with his older sister. Cordelia was intrigued by Gabby. That gave him hope. It was a clear sign that Cordelia would not cut herself off from the world entirely forever.

He wanted to shout with glee, in fact.

But most of all, he wanted to find Gabby and thank her. She might not have done anything on purpose, but because of her, Cordelia would host her very first social engagement since Sebastian had become the duke.

It was definitely cause for celebration, and not just at his club. He wanted to dance.

He wanted to dance with Gabby again.

He rushed upstairs and along to his bedchamber, summoned his valet to change for an evening out at a ball. Lady Foxwood s ball was tonight, and although he d given his excuses, she would forgive him for having a change of heart at the last moment. He was a duke, and changing his mind was one of the best perks he knew.

Gabby would certainly be there.

His valet was a little rattled by his summons and his impatience to make himself presentable. But it only took an hour before the Duke of Mamble was deemed fit for presentation to society.

It took no time at all to reach the ball and the hostess gushed over his arrival, as expected. He could not outright ask if the Kimbles had arrived already. That would draw unnecessary attention, so he had to mingle first, moving slowly from group to group until he found Lady Windermere at last.

She was delighted to see him. I so hoped you d change your mind about tonight.

Yes, I had a change of heart. Your husband visited me today and nearly got down on his knees to beg me to join him here, claiming you ve all but abandoned him.

Windermere played his part beautifully then, Esme said, grinning.

His part?

He knows how vital the first season can be for a debutant, and I knew if I got a little too busy, he would run to you and complain right on cue. Gabby needs your help again, I m afraid.

Sebastian froze in utter shock. Windermere had been manipulated by his own wife and had then unknowingly duped him as well. The countess had used her husband to lure Sebastian out into society again—and all to help Gabby make a match with someone else.

He did not dare turn straight away to glare at the man s wife, but his mood turned decidedly toward anger. Is that so?

Absolutely, Esme complained with some heat, missing or perhaps ignoring his frosty tone. It seems one of her friends has also set her heart on capturing Lord Brookes attention, as well.

Well, there is no accounting for taste, he bit out.

Without your fleeting attention, her popularity has plummeted, Esme confessed, drawing even closer. Despite my best efforts to guide her toward other men, you ll find her determined to remain standing on the sidelines most nights, waiting for Brookes to ask her to dance.

He winced at the picture, a scene he d witnessed before. That is unfortunate.

And also fixable, now that you are here, Esme suggested, brightening suddenly, prodding him with her fan. Offer to dance with her, and other gentlemen will do the same.

But Sebastian did not want other men to notice Gabby, and he shook his head firmly. If men like Brookes continue to ignore Gabby Kimble, then that is their loss.

It had been his loss, though, too. Keeping away from Gabby for the last few weeks meant he d not known of her struggles against a romantic rival. He thought he was glad about it, though.

Sadly, that is true, Esme murmured, nodding, but it was clear to see she expected him to do something about her popularity still.

If he went to her, others would reconsider her again. But how else was he to talk to Gabby tonight to arrange her visit with Cordelia? He would not have Cordelia disappointed tomorrow. He made himself shrug. Where might I find your husband?

In the card room with my cousin Bennett. When you see him, tell him to come dance with me. I m feeling peevish, she said, scowling.

Perhaps he shouldn t come then, Sebastian suggested. Even with the ill use he d been put to tonight, he did not want to pull his friend away from his pleasures just to potentially have an argument with his peevish wife.

Oh, he ll come, and running if you repeat my message word for word, she promised with a sly wink.

Sebastian considered her expression for a long moment and decided it was best not to ask what that was all about. Some husbands and wives were said to develop their own private languages.

He ambled from the room as quickly as possible without drawing attention to himself. Windermere and Kimble were just getting up from a table when he entered the room. They both seemed pleased that Sebastian had arrived and in great spirits.

He relayed Esme s message word for word, and Windermere fairly sprinted from the card room to lift his wife s peevish mood.

Sebastian shook his head and Kimble laughed. Best not to ask, I think, he murmured.

Yes, it was better for all concerned if we know nothing of what that message really meant to imply, Sebastian agreed.

He turned to Kimble and smiled. That matter we discussed a few weeks ago…I should like to revisit the idea again. Are you free tomorrow morning?

Unfortunately, no, Kimble said, his tone a bit more reserved than the last time they d met.

Could you possibly postpone your appointment?

Morning calls? Kimble admitted eventually, and then sighed. My ward might skin me alive if I deny her the opportunity to talk with her dance partners from tonight.

Ah, Sebastian said, and then he winced. He d forgotten that Gabby would be glued to the parlor tomorrow morning, waiting for gentlemen to call upon her.

Although…she had not danced tonight, according to Esme. But she might still find a partner to take the floor within the next hours.

Hmm, how could he prevent her from dancing with anyone else this evening so she could visit Cordelia tomorrow instead? He could approach her to talk and frighten off other gentlemen with a ducal glare, or he could simply abduct her.

He shook his head at both ideas. Such measures surely were not necessary just yet. That smacked of too much desperation.

I wanted to thank you for the introduction to Lady Cordelia, Kimble said suddenly. I have wondered how she fared for a very long time.

Sebastian looked at the man sharply. I was not aware you were acquainted with my sister.

Ah, she did not tell you how we met, though I suppose we were never formally introduced, Kimble said, and a forgiving smile appeared on his face. But I could never forget her. She is a remarkably beautiful woman.

She is, he agreed, and curiosity got the better of him. Where and when did you first see Cordelia?

Here in London, but we were never formally introduced. A lifetime ago, it seems now, he admitted. She had just come out into society. She was the talk of London from the very first moment.

Ah, he said slowly. No wonder the man had stared at Cordie for so long when they were introduced. If Kimble had been present during Cordelia s first season, too, then he might actually know more than Sebastian did about that time.

Sebastian cleared his throat. It was Cordelia who expressed a desire to take tea with Gabby again and have you visit with me. She hopes to make a better impression than the last time you met, I believe, he admitted. Could you please convey that to your ward, and my desire she accept the invitation if you are both free tomorrow morning? he asked. Cordelia hasn t asked anything of me, or to see anyone, since I became duke, and I am loathe to disappoint her in this matter.

Kimble froze for a long moment, but then he nodded. Well, in that case. We d be honored to visit you both tomorrow. It won t be hard to convince Gabby to disappoint any suitors who might call tomorrow. She ll want to come and make things right.