Page 15 of A Devious Secret

Chapter Three

Gemma’s eyes were downcast as she listened to the lively conversation that was going on around her at the dining table. She wanted to join in, but she found her heart wasn’t in it. While she had been in her mourning period, she had spent so much time alone that she had grown accustomed to the silence. It was during this time that she reflected on what she had with Baldwin. He may not have been perfect, but he had been perfect for her.

She felt tears forming in her eyes, but blinked them back. There would be no good that would come from crying in front of her hosts. Furthermore, she had no desire to cry in front of Mr. Wycomb. He may not be as sympathetic as her family would be, not that she cared about what his opinion was of her.

Mr. Wycomb may be a handsome man with his dark hair, broad shoulders and square jaw, but there was a heavy solemnness about him that contrasted with his kind eyes. It made her wonder what battles he was fighting within himself. Not that she was thinking about him.

Her aunt’s voice broke through her musings. “Is something wrong with your soup, dear?”

Gemma brought her gaze up and saw that everyone was watching her. “I’m afraid you caught me woolgathering,” she admitted with a sheepish smile. It was only then that she noticed that everyone had finished their soup and they had been waiting on her to do the same.

She reached for her spoon and dipped it into the bowl.

As she brought the spoon to her lips, Dinah spoke up. “I understand that there is to be a shopping trip to Bond Street tomorrow.”

“There is,” Lady Montfort confirmed. “Would you care to join us?”

Dinah bobbed her head. “I would. One never knows what kind of treasures we will find there.”

“I’m afraid that Gemma is in desperate need of new hats and accessories,” her aunt informed the group.

“My hats are perfectly acceptable,” Gemma attempted.

“For the country, perhaps,” her aunt pressed, “but everyone is held to an impossible standard in Town.”

Gemma placed her spoon down and indicated to the footman that she had finished. She leaned to the side as he collected her bowl.

“I do not wish to be a bother,” Gemma remarked.

Her aunt reached for her glass, then said, “You are no such thing. After all, I always look for a reason to go shopping.”

“That is true,” her uncle declared as he walked into the room. “I do apologize for running late, but I’m afraid it couldn’t be helped.”

“You are here now,” her aunt said with a smile on her face. “That is enough for me.”

Her uncle went to sit down at the head of the table and met Gemma’s gaze. “It is good to see you looking so well, Gemma.”

“I daresay that you are in desperate need of spectacles, then,” Gemma joked.

Her uncle chuckled. “And I see that you have not lost that wit that I am so fond of.” He turned his attention towards Mr. Wycomb. “I am pleased that you are joining us for dinner again.”

Mr. Wycomb tipped his head. “It is my honor, my lord.”

While her uncle placed a white linen napkin onto his lap, he shifted his gaze back towards Gemma and said, “I happened upon Lord Hawkinge at the club today. He sends his regards."

Gemma blinked. “Henry is here?”

“You sound surprised,” her uncle said. “Weren’t you aware that he was in Town?”

“Last we spoke, he mentioned traveling to Town, but I did not expect him so soon,” Gemma admitted.

Her uncle eyed her curiously. “Do you take issue with Lord Hawkinge?”

Gemma knew she needed to choose her next words carefully. “Henry has been nothing but kind to me, but at times, I fear that he is too kind.”

“Can anyone be too kind to someone?” her uncle asked.

“I suppose not,” Gemma said. She knew she was not explaining herself well. She wasn’t sure what it was about Henry that caused her to question his behavior, but as of late, she had been on guard around him.