Page 58 of A Devious Secret

Chapter Nine

Stephen found himself whistling as he stepped out of his carriage. He was in a rather fine mood this afternoon. He found himself anxious to see Gemma again. He didn’t think he would ever tire of being in her presence. There was something about her that seemed to brighten everything around her. And when she smiled, he couldn’t help but smile back.

He approached the main door of Lord Montfort’s townhouse and knocked. It was promptly opened by the butler, and he greeted Stephen in a cordial tone.

“Mr. Wycomb, do come in,” the butler said as he stood to the side to allow him entry.

Stephen stepped into the entry hall and waited as the door was closed behind him.

“Lady Hawkinge is expecting you,” the butler informed him. “If you will follow me, I will announce you.”

The butler turned on his heel and walked the short distance to the drawing room. He stepped inside and announced, “Mr. Wycomb has arrived, my lady.”

Stephen followed the butler into the room and saw Gemma was standing in front of the settee. She was dressed in an alluring green gown that flattered her features immensely.

She curtsied when their eyes met. “Mr. Wycomb,” she murmured.

He bowed. “My lady.”

Gemma gestured towards an upholstered armchair near her. “Would you care to sit down for a moment?”

“I would,” he said.

As he approached the proffered chair, a maid stepped into the room, and she walked over to a chair in the corner.

Gemma gracefully lowered herself onto the settee. “I would offer you some tea, but I know you do not care for it.” Her words were spoken lightly.

“You speak as if I am the only person that has an aversion for tea.”

“I have yet to meet another.”

“Perhaps you are not looking hard enough,” he joked.

Gemma reached for her teacup on the table and took a sip. As she lowered the cup and saucer to her lap, she said, “I must admit that I am looking forward to the museum today.”

“As am I.”

“Baldwin and I would visit the museum every time we were in London,” she shared. “He was particularly fond of the coins that were on display, but I preferred the antiquities.”

“I am afraid that I have never been to the museum before.”

“Then you are in for a treat,” Gemma said.

His sister stepped into the room with a hat in her hand. “Hugh should be down in a moment and we can depart.”

Stephen had risen when his sister had entered the room. “We?” he asked, glancing between Gemma and Marielle.

Marielle approached him and kissed him on the cheek. “When we discovered that we both had plans to attend themuseum this afternoon, we decided it would be fun to go together.”

“What a pleasant surprise,” Stephen said, hoping his words sounded somewhat convincing.

Marielle went to sit down next to Gemma and reached for a biscuit off the tray. “I can’t wait to see what books they have on display. Last time, they had a first edition Gutenberg Bible.”

As his sister rambled on about the significance of the Gutenberg Bible, he found himself slightly disappointed that he would have to compete for Gemma’s attention on this outing.

The long clock chimed in the corner and Marielle jumped up. “I should see what is taking Hugh so long. Please excuse me.”

Stephen rose and waited until his sister departed from the room. Then he returned to his seat and hoped that the disappointment didn’t show on his face.