Page 147 of A Devious Secret

Her father stormed over to the door and stopped. Then he turned on his heel and said, “When I die, you will regret treating me like this.”

“I will take my chances,” Gemma replied.

She watched as her father departed the townhouse, slamming the door behind him.

Stephen’s compassionate eyes turned towards her. “I know that must have been hard for you.”

“No, it was the easiest decision I have made in a long time,” Gemma replied.

Her aunt’s voice came from the stairs. “Good heavens, it was about time that you stood up to your boorish father,” she said.

Hugh and Marielle stepped out of the drawing room, holding hands. “I’m afraid we were shamelessly eavesdropping,” Hugh revealed. “We didn’t want to make our presence known.”

Stephen went to release her hand, but she held firm. “I’m done hiding,” she said in a hushed voice.

He smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”

Her aunt came to a stop in front of them. “I heard what Kitty had done but was Lord Hawkinge truly shot when he tried to kill you?”

Gemma nodded. “Frankly, I don’t know who shot him, but I am grateful that it happened.”

“As am I,” her aunt said. “Lord Hawkinge turned out to be a terrible excuse for a human being.”

“I won’t disagree with you there,” Gemma remarked.

Balfour stepped into the room and announced, “Lady Hawkinge’s bath is ready in her bedchamber.”

“Thank you, Balfour,” Gemma said.

He tipped his head before he turned and departed from the entry hall.

“You should go,” Stephen encouraged.

Gemma turned to face him. “Thank you for what you did tonight,” she said.

His eyes crinkled around the edges. “I would do anything for you. You must know that.”

“I do,” Gemma replied.

Stephen brought her hand up to his lips. “If it is permissible, I would like to call upon you tomorrow,” he said. “There is still the matter of the question that I must ask you.”

“I shall be looking forward to it.”

He released her hand and said, “As will I.”

After Stephen murmured his goodbyes, Gemma watched as he walked out of the door and into the night.

Her aunt came to stand next to her. “Your father was right about one thing.”

“Which is?”

“You will lose your place in Society if you marry Mr. Wycomb.”

Gemma bobbed her head. “I’m afraid I have no choice,” she said. “I already lost my heart to Stephen.”

Her aunt placed a hand on her shoulder. “Then you are doing the right thing.”

Marielle let out a shriek. “We are going to be sisters!” she exclaimed as she rushed over to Gemma and embraced her.