How to Woo a Wallflower (Romancing the Rules #3)(51)
She didn’t go to Fisk Academy because she was stubborn. She went because it was a place she was needed, a place where she could do good. And the sense of belonging was a thousand times what she felt anywhere else. Except perhaps here, at Ruthven’s. At least when Gabriel was sitting in the chair across from her.
“I only want you to be safe, Clary.” He approached and pecked a kiss on her cheek. “Can’t blame me for that. You are my baby sister.”
“And now a grown woman.”
“Indeed,” he said as he straightened his necktie and started toward the door. “I suppose you’re in charge until Adamson returns.”
“Do you ever plan on speaking to me again?” Sara placed a hand on Gabe’s sleeve as they approached their lodgings.
“I’m speaking to you now.” He reached out to steady her when she stumbled, not noticing a stone on the pavement. “Have a care.” Never one to be fussed over, she brushed away his hand, but Gabe reached for her again, hooking her arm in his. He noticed how pale she was. Now that he knew she was with child, he couldn’t help but be protective.
After days of sickness, he’d insisted on accompanying her to a doctor. She’d been shocked by the diagnosis. And from that day, she’d refused to believe that he did not judge her or think any less of Thomas Tidwell. All he truly felt was the pressure of gifting the man her dowry and seeing them married as soon as a wedding could be arranged. But first, Sara needed to inform her beau of how their future had changed.
“You’re ashamed of me. I know you are.”
“I’m not.” Gabe led his sister in through the front door and upstairs to their rooms. He didn’t wish to have a discussion where their landlady might overhear.
“What will Thomas say?” She wrung her hands and started pacing the length of their narrow sitting room.
“If you wish, I’ll accompany you when you tell him.” He couldn’t imagine Tidwell responding badly. The boy was utterly smitten with Sara. But if he did reject her, Gabe couldn’t bear for her to face it alone.
And, of course, as her older brother, it would be his duty to throttle the bounder.
“No.” She shook her head in that firm brook-no-argument way he knew so well. “This child is ours, and we will do what’s right by him.” She cast Gabe a soft smile. “Or her.”
“Best not to say a word to—”
“To anyone other than Thomas. I know.” Lifting a hand, she nibbled at a nail. “Can you imagine how Jane Morgan would react? Even if you’re not ashamed of me, she would be horrified. Jane is so proper, she’d probably never speak to me again.” Her lower lip began to tremble, and she swiped her hand across her mouth as if she could wipe the emotion away. “It doesn’t matter. Thomas and I will be married soon. I’m to meet his aunt and uncle this evening. I must go to him now. I’ll tell him we must set a date to be married. What’s taking him so long?”
Gabe couldn’t bear her inquisitive gaze and turned to glance out the window into the tidy back garden. He spotted one of those yellow flowers Clarissa had shoved under his nose and wished he could smell its scent.
He knew exactly why his sister’s beau hadn’t set a date for their wedding. Tidwell was waiting on him. The young man worked hard and saved as much as he was able, but marriage and securing a home required the dowry Gabe had promised to provide.
What Gabe hadn’t planned on was Sara spotting Rigg near their Cheapside lodgings. Part of the twenty-five pounds Ruthven had paid out for mentoring Clarissa had gone to their new landlady, and Gabe awaited his next wages to add to the sum he’d give Tidwell. He’d planned to keep adding to the pot for months, but now they’d need the money quickly. He had no idea where he’d acquire the funds.
“Thank you, Gabe, for taking me to the doctor this morning.”
He shot her a grin. “Thank me by getting rest, as he suggested.”
“I can’t.” She shook her head determinedly. “I must go and speak to Thomas.”
“Is he not at work?”
“He promised to leave early today. As I said, we’re going to visit his aunt and uncle in Walthamstow.”
Gabe knew the town was miles north of the city, but he had no idea how far. Like his sister, he’d never ventured outside of London.
“Don’t you need to be returning to Ruthven’s?”
“I do.” He did need to get back. Wondering how Daughtry was managing the place had weighed on his mind all morning. No, that wasn’t true. Clarissa had been on his mind since the moment he’d stepped away from her, the taste of her kiss still lingering on his tongue. Thoughts of returning to Ruthven’s tormented him. It was the one place he felt as if he belonged. The one place where he was in control. The one place others treated him with deference and respect.
Now it was also the place where the presence of Clarissa Ruthven had upended his control.
He couldn’t resist her, couldn’t govern his feelings where she was concerned. And more terrifying, he no longer wished to.
“You’ll be all right?” He glanced back at his sister as he started for the door. “Both of you?”
She placed a hand on her belly and smiled. “We’ll be fine. And Thomas too.”
“You know I’ll happily pummel him if he doesn’t do right by you.” Gabe opened the door and stepped into the hall. “Give him my regards, and ask him to call on me as soon as he’s able.” He’d need to visit the bank and withdraw what funds he could to ensure Sara and Tidwell had the best start they could in their life together.