Page 20 of Miss Kimble Bites Back

“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.”