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it.” The sweet voice slowly worked its way through his thoughts and, pausing in the middle of his pacing, he turned to the door. Standing there in a deep hunter green riding dress, bonnet in hand, Elizabeth was a vision. Too focused on her beauty, he hadn’t comprehended her words.
    “Do what exactly?” Marcus asked his sister as he stood and moved to the front his desk.
    Gabe watched her beautiful eyes flit between Marcus and him. Finally, with a slight waver in her voice, she answered, “I’ll help care for her.”
    Her? Her who?
    And suddenly it hit him. She was speaking of his daughter. Like hell she will! Gabe opened his mouth to voice his refusal as Marcus interceded.
    “Absolutely not. You don’t know how to care for a child. Furthermore, you can’t reside in a bachelor’s residence, even if it is Gabe.”
    “ Especially if it’s me. Your reputation would be ruined the moment you step over the threshold,” Gabe growled, intent on voicing his opinion.
    His aggravation steadily rose to think he’d be fighting a losing battle when her eyes filled with a boldness he’d never witnessed from her before. When they were children and she’d tried to be a girl-like version of the hellions he and Marcus were, she’d always fallen short.
    It made him wonder how she had learned to be so untoward. If this was the outcome of allowing her to follow them around when she’d been impressionable, maybe he should have agreed with Marcus and left her behind.
    On the other hand, she was incredibly beautiful when the flash of light blazed within the green of her eyes. “It would be perfectly respectful for me to reside with Gabe and his daughter with a proper chaperone.”
    “And who exactly would be doing the chaperoning?” Marcus asked, his stony expression unwavering.
    “Aunt Millie, of course. Not even you can argue she isn’t completely above reproach. Besides, I have experience with children. Between all the children running around Foxmoore during the holidays and volunteering at the orphanage, I know how to manage a child.” Elizabeth crossed the room and stood before her brother. “Marcus, I can do this. Let me help. This is something Mother would be proud of. If at all possible, she did whatever she could to help others. If you allowed it and Aunt Millie chaperoned, besides some talk, no one would question it. Please .”
    Marcus’s expression eased, slowly showing signs of acceptance at Elizabeth’s final plea. Fury swept Gabe. He was definitely losing control of the situation. Having her living under his roof would only cause more problems. It would be hell—for him.
    Even now, though wholly irritated, it took all his strength to quiet the arousal she stirred, and that was with Marcus in the room. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to come across her some evening in his home, alone. With no one around to temper his desire.
    Panicked, his displeasure flared. He abruptly turned to Marcus, his words sharp. “You can’t possibly think this idea is worth pursuing.”
    Marcus regarded him with eyes that held only a trace of doubt. “She does have a point. No one would question Aunt Millicent chaperoning. Most ladies of the ton wish they could emulate her level of decorum.” Warming to the idea, Marcus continued, “Apart from that, I know you see Lizzy as a sister and would treat her with nothing but respect.”
    He wasn’t about to inform his friend he hadn’t felt any sisterly feelings for Elizabeth in quite some time.
    Still trying to convince him, Marcus added, “I don’t like it much myself, Gabe, but you don’t have many options left. This would be only a temporary solution, until you found a suitable governess.”
    Gabe released his hostility on Elizabeth, practically seething. “And what of your social obligations, Minx? Where would you find the time, between morning calls and evening events, to see to a child? I’ve never known you to be absent from ton activities.”
    “I’m no