Devonny Ch. 03

Devonny took the tray into the study, shooting Elijah a dark look at his smug expression before pouring Gabriel a cup of coffee and then Elijah whose eyes shone with mirth as he watched her.

She was just about to return to the kitchen when Gabriel's voice stopped her. "And where have you been all evening, Devonny?" his tone was stern.

Devonny turned slowly. Her gaze was on the ground. "Sir I..."

"Leave her alone, Gabriel," Elijah interjected. "

Gabriel shot Elijah a glare. "I won't have her--"

"She was on an errand for me," Elijah said easily, leaning back in his chair.

"What manner of errand takes four hours?"

Devonny's gaze darted between the two brothers, both glaring at each other from behind their heavy mahogany desks.

Elijah's smile was goading. "Interesting that you seem to keep track of her at all hours of the day, brother."

Devonny wanted to sink right through the floor and disappear.

Gabriel's scowl deepened, his fine lips pulled back in a near snarl.

"Sirs..." Devonny's voice quietly broke their glares.

"You're excused, Devonny," Elijah said gently.

Gabriel watched her go speculatively. "What are you about, Eli?"

Elijah shrugged, fixing a bland look on his countenance. "Must I share all my affairs with you?"

"When one of our servants goes missing half the day, yes!"

"Missing?" Elijah chuckled. "Does that apply to all of our staff or just Devonny?"

Gabriel frowned at the familiar way with which Elijah spoke her name.

Elijah threw up his hands in surrender. "It was just a bit of shopping for a girl I am quite fond of, that's all."

Gabriel scrutinized Elijah's face and leaned back in his chair seeming to read veracity in his brothers gaze. "Well she seemed none to pleased about your little errand."

"No," Elijah mused. "I didn't think that she would be," Elijah returned, a small smile stretching across his lips.