One Rogue Too Many (33 page)

Gabby flung her hand to the side. “And then there’s the matter of her taking Annabelle to the park when you and I were already planning to take her.”

“I think it’s best if we look to Miss Teague for guidance. After all, she has been with Annabelle since she was born.”

Gabby halted on the path, forcing him to stop too. “Perhaps it’s time to consider a change.”

He clenched his jaw, unsure he liked where this conversation was headed. He had already told her he wouldn’t send Annabelle away. “Miss Teague has taken exemplary care of my daughter. Annabelle is a blessing.”

Gabby nodded. “She’s a darling girl, and I am blessed with having her in my life as well. I want her to have the best advantages—just as our other children will have. That is the reason I think we should consider finding a governess. Miss Teague is not equipped to fulfill the role, and Annabelle no longer needs a nanny.”

“No.” He’d not take away the only person who could make Annabelle feel secure.

“No? Is there to be no discussion on the matter?”

“She knows what she is doing with Annabelle.” Clearly, he didn’t. And what did Gabby know about caring for children? She’d been a mother less than a day. “Miss Teague is staying.”

Gabby’s hand landed on her hip, her eyes sparking with irritation. “I never said she had to leave, but a little distance wouldn’t hurt. I think it’s possible Miss Teague is interfering with your bond with Annabelle.”

He blew out an exasperated breath. Although he appreciated his wife’s generous thought, he knew Miss Teague wasn’t responsible for his troubles with Annabelle. He was to blame. He didn’t know how to talk to his daughter or behave as a father should. How
could
he know when he barely remembered his own father?

And Miss Teague was a league above his mother in the way of affection and nurturing. He would have died for one hug from his mother, and Miss Teague was being criticized for giving too many?

“Sometimes a child needs a bit of coddling.”

The fight drained from her and her hand flopped at her side. “I know how important love is, and I’m certain Annabelle needs more than most after her ordeal. But a papa’s love is special to a girl, and no one else can give that to Annabelle.”

Anthony’s heart softened as he gazed at Gabby. The duke had been a wonderful father and she had blossomed under the warmth of his affection. Anthony wanted to be that type of father for Annabelle, but he felt like a failure at every turn.

The truth was he didn’t know what he would do without Miss Teague’s assistance, but he suspected he would muck up badly.

A gentleman appeared on the path ahead, his walking stick striking the ground with each step.

Anthony groaned. “Corby. The last person I wished to see.”

The scoundrel was still far enough away to avoid if they turned back, but he spotted them and called out a greeting. “Ahoy, Ellis.”

“Blast,” he muttered and drew Gabby closer.

“I thought you and Lord Corby were on friendly terms. He opened his gallery as a personal favor.”

“I later learned he and Ledbery had a wager on Thorne and me, which of us would throw the first punch because of you. Corby won the bet.”

She huffed. “That explains the reason he told Sebastian about Annabelle.”

His gaze snapped to her. “I beg your pardon?”

A pink blush stained her cheeks. “I meant, Lord Thorne.”

“Not that, although I’d prefer you never speak his name again. Did Corby start the rumors about Annabelle?”

She shrugged.

He made a fist as Corby approached with a smirk. “I should plant a facer on him.”

“Do what you must, but hurry. Lady Corby and her companion are not far behind.”

Beyond Corby’s shoulder, his mother and her companion walked arm in arm, their pace much slower than the viscount’s.

Gabby tipped her face up to Anthony, her eyes bright. “I may have an idea on how to put the rumors to rest, but I need to speak with Mama first.”

Corby reached them before Anthony could question her; the man’s smirk had turned into a full-blown leer as he looked at Gabby. Anthony raised his fist and took a step forward, but Gabby’s grip on his arm reminded him they had an audience.

She fluttered her lashes and smiled coyly at the scoundrel. “Why, Lord Corby. How fortuitous to cross paths with you this morning. Lord Ellis was just telling me you have another art collection so rare and special, you keep it hidden away in its own room.”

Corby’s step faltered and his lascivious grin fell. It was all Anthony could do to hold back a triumphant laugh.

Gabby hugged Anthony’s arm and bubbled with enthusiasm. “How I would love to view your rare collection, and I’m certain Mama would be thrilled as well.”

“Uh—” Corby rubbed the back of his neck and grimaced as if he were in pain.

“Perhaps I could speak with Lady Corby about arranging a private showing?”

“No! I mean, I’m sure the collection wouldn’t interest you, Lady Ellis. My father collected a few odd pieces. Religious artifacts and such.”

His gaze darted to Anthony as if pleading with him to support his claim. Anthony said nothing. He rather enjoyed watching Corby squirm.

Gabby clapped her hands. “Religious artifacts? How delightful.”

Color drained from Corby’s face and Anthony wondered if he might swoon. “Yes, well. We really must be going. Mother has a, uh…thing and she cannot…” He turned on his heel. “Good day.”

As he marched away, Gabby lifted her hand and waved. “Next time Lord Ellis or I see you, we really must discuss a viewing.”

She laughed when he flung his arms in the air to herd his mother and her companion in the opposite direction. “There. One problem solved. I don’t think you will be seeing the viscount any time soon.”

Anthony’s optimistic mood returned and he held his arm out to her. “My, but you are a clever one, Lady Ellis. Shall we see if there are any other scoundrels lurking in the park you can make shake in their boots?”

She linked her arm with his and arched a brow. “Brilliant suggestion. I’ve only just begun to put ne’er-do-wells in their places.”

Thirty-two

Gabby had insisted Annabelle and Miss Teague accompany her when calling on her mama later that day, refusing to hear any excuses from the nanny. Gabby took Annabelle’s hand in hers as they climbed from the carriage at Talliah House and smiled when she didn’t pull away.

“Now, Annabelle,” Miss Teague said as she clambered down the carriage steps, “you can’t touch anything. If you should break something…”

The threat hung unfinished on the air.

Gabby aimed a strained smile over her shoulder. “Miss Teague, you must be rather tired of being solely responsible for this darling girl. Consider this a day off from your duties and enjoy yourself.”

She didn’t pose it as a request, but rather a command. It was no wonder Annabelle was a Nervous Nellie with dire warnings being tossed at her every other moment.

Miss Teague pursed her lips. “Yes, milady.”

Gabby’s smile widened. “That’s better. Now, come allow me to introduce you to Mama. I think you will get on well.”

Mama got on well with everyone, and in actuality, Miss Teague was pleasant enough.

Gabby’s mother and sisters greeted her with hugs and excited squeals. Then, as she’d expected, they turned their loving attention on Annabelle, fawning over her in a way that didn’t make her shy away.

She readily climbed onto the settee beside Mama and accepted a sugar biscuit. “Look at this lovely hair, darling girl. You are the very image of your cousins, Chloe and Clare.” Mama smiled at Miss Teague, including her in the conversation. “My youngest son has twins with their mother’s red hair.”

It took no time before Mama had Miss Teague engaged and sharing stories about Annabelle. Gabby sank into the plush cushions of the chair, allowing herself a moment to evaluate the other woman. Despite Miss Teague’s tendency to feed Annabelle’s anxiety, Gabby didn’t believe the woman meant any real harm. She was tender with the girl, and she had devoted her life to caring for Annabelle. Gabby was grateful for all she had done for Anthony and his daughter, but now it was time to allow them to have a relationship.

And if Annabelle had any hope of being accepted into society, the rumors about Miss Teague being her mother had to be laid to rest. Gabby thought she had a solution, but she wasn’t certain Anthony would agree with her plan. If Miss Teague sabotaged the attempt, Gabby feared Anthony would side with the girl’s aunt.

When Katie and Liz offered to take Annabelle to the gardens, Gabby suggested Miss Teague enjoy a tour as well. She needed a moment alone with her mother.

Mama patted the settee. “I want to hear all about your wedding. Come. And spare no detail.”

Gabby sat beside her and recounted every moment she could recall while her mother listened with a dreamy smile. “Now I have everything I want,” she said. “Or I will as soon as Liz and Katie find their true loves and marry.”

Gabby’s smile faded. “Mama, there is but one thing keeping me from complete happiness. It’s Anthony and his relationship with Annabelle. I need your help.”

***

Anthony perked up when he heard Gabby returning with Annabelle and Miss Teague. He leaned back in his chair and let their happy voices wash over him. The sound was foreign within the walls of Keaton Place, and yet it felt right.

He picked up his quill, intending to return to his work, when Gabby appeared in the doorway of his study with Annabelle.

“There is Papa,” Gabby said, her voice infused with enthusiasm. “How happy he is to see his precious Annabelle.” He chuckled at hearing his wife refer to him as Papa.

A small smile curved his daughter’s lips. She was wary perhaps, but not frightened as she usually was. Gabby cleared her throat and raised her eyebrows at him.

He slowly pushed back from his desk so as not to spook her. “Happy is an understatement. I’m thrilled to have Annabelle visit my study. Please come in.”

His daughter tipped her head to look up at Gabby, as if trying to determine how she should react. His wife’s smile was radiant as she came toward him with Annabelle holding on to her hand.

Anthony stayed still, afraid if he moved an inch, Annabelle would burst into tears. As they drew closer, he noticed something clutched in her fist, a crumpled piece of paper.

Gabby placed her hand on his shoulder, then kissed him on the cheek. “We missed you this afternoon, Papa. Annabelle made you a present since you couldn’t be with us today. She has a lot of promise as an artist, I believe.”

His daughter watched him with luminous eyes. He gentled his voice, imitating Gabby’s lilting quality as best as he could. “May I see?”

She looked to Gabby once more then hesitantly held out the paper. He took it and unrolled her drawing. It was a crude sketch of people—ladies mostly, he concluded from their dresses—and one man with a hat. “What a skillful drawing.”

Gabby took the sketch and spread it on the desk. “Shall we tell Papa who everyone is?” Annabelle went into Gabby’s outstretched arms and Gabby lifted her to the desk.

With one arm on Annabelle’s back and a hand on his shoulder, Gabby formed a bridge. “Well, on the far right is Grandmamma. You can tell from her pretty necklace. And who is next to her?”

She looked expectantly at Annabelle. “Liz,” his daughter said without hesitation.

“That’s right. Beside her is Katie, then Miss Teague and I. And do you remember her name?” She pointed to the last figure wearing a dress.

Annabelle’s smile spread, her little cheeks glowing. “Vivi.”

“How wonderful your memory is.”

Miss Teague appeared in the threshold but held back. He spared her a quick glance, but Annabelle’s happy face occupied his attention.

He touched a finger to the man. “Then this must be the duke.”

Gabby shook her head, her eyes shimmering. “This is you. Annabelle thought it would be nice if you could be with her and her new family.”

A lump formed in Anthony’s throat. He didn’t know if he could speak, but Annabelle was watching and waiting for a response. He couldn’t close down, not now. “I wish I had been there, too. It sounds as if you had a marvelous time.”

Gabby hugged them close, so they were all three huddled together, Gabby and him grinning like mad hatters. “Well, you’ll just have to make up for your absence by joining us for dinner in the nursery. I heard you put on quite the performance last time.”

He laughed. “If Annabelle wants a show, she shall have a show.”

His daughter smiled and then did something unexpected. She touched his shoulder briefly.

“Shall we leave Papa to his work and go speak with Mrs. Duffy about dinner?”

Annabelle hugged his wife as she set her back on the floor and then skipped away.

He captured Gabby’s wrist before she left him alone in his study. “Come here, Lady Bug.” He tugged her onto his lap and kissed her soundly.

When he released her, she sighed. “I wish I could stay, but there are preparations to be made for tonight.”

“I don’t know what you did, but thank you.”

She shrugged as if what she’d accomplished today had been nothing, but to him it was a miracle. “I’m showing her how to love you.”

He grinned. “Is it really so difficult?”

“I think it’s easy, but I have been in love with you a long time.” She winked. “Perhaps I’ve forgotten how challenging you can be.”

He kissed the tip of her nose and reluctantly let her go.

The rest of his afternoon passed slowly, but at least a happy glow surrounded him. He dressed for dinner in a rush and arrived at the nursery just in time to join his lovely ladies.

That evening he was silly, clumsy, and very embarrassing, but his daughter’s belly laughs were worth every antic. His valet might not agree when he saw the tomato stain on his jacket, but it had been an accident.

Gabby chattered about all the fun activities they would partake in the next day, and even hinted at a surprise that would be arriving in the next couple of weeks. No amount of cajoling by Annabelle or him convinced her to share the surprise.

At the end of dinner, Miss Teague helped Annabelle from her seat. The nanny had been so quiet throughout the meal, he had almost forgotten she was present. She rested her hands on Annabelle’s shoulders.