Page 109 of The Wallflower Takes All

A few moments later, Gabriel entered carrying a folded paper beneath one arm. He wore his usual dark coat and immaculate cravat, every line of him composed so carefully that Poppy might have imagined the man in Hyde Park had been someone else entirely.

Except she knew better now. She had felt his restraint break. She could not forget it.

“Miss Montfort,” he said.

“Mr. Ashby.”

The formality struck between them, strange after the intimacy of his mouth on hers.

Jenkins disappeared while Freddie bounded toward Gabriel and stopped at his boots with evident delight, plainly convinced Gabriel had returned to congratulate him upon the ducks.

Gabriel looked down at the dog. “You are dry.”

Freddie wagged his entire body.

“Astonishing,” Gabriel added.

“He is offended by the speed with which heroism fades from memory,” Poppy said.

Gabriel smiled. “I had not forgotten.”

“No,” she said softly. “Nor had I.”

Gabriel’s gaze lifted to hers. For one suspended moment, the quiet house felt less empty than waiting.

“I did not expect you,” Poppy said quietly.

Gabriel nodded once. His gaze fell to the ledgers spread before her, then to the quill resting between her fingers.

“I gave you reason not to.”

The admission seemed to cost him something. He drew a breath and looked back at her.

“My father reminded me that duty is not dependent upon comfort.”

“Oh,” Poppy breathed. So that is why he was here. His father hadn’t accepted his proposal.

She ought to have been relieved. Duty had brought him back, and duty was no small thing from Gabriel Ashby. Still, a small, reckless hope inside her faltered, having wanted an answer that belonged to his feelings rather than to his obligation.

“I have news,” he said.

Poppy shook her head to clear it of unhelpful thoughts. “Of Algernon?”

“Yes.”

She gestured toward the sofa because she did not trust herself to stand through more disappointment. “Then you had better tell me while I am sitting.”

Gabriel did not smile, which told her enough before he spoke.

“I spoke again with Lord Montague’s man of business earlier. There is no legal course that will compel him to delay taking possession.”

Poppy nodded. “I expected as much.”

“He has agreed that Lady Montague may remove any furnishings that can be proved to belong to her personally, along with your clothes, jewels, and other personal effects.”

Poppy’s jaw clenched. “How generous of Algernon to permit Mama to keep her own gowns.”

Gabriel’s expression tightened. “I did not say the concession was impressive.” He set the paper upon the table in front of her and glanced toward the escritoire.