Page 112 of A Devious Secret

“I don’t think I can just put a smile on my face and pretend all is well,” Stephen remarked.

“Nor should you,” Hawthorne agreed. “But remember what you are fighting for. That makes all the difference.”

The image of Gemma came to his mind and Stephen knew precisely what he was fighting for. He was fighting for a future with Gemma. He loved her and always would. She was the one good thing in his life that he knew he couldn’t live without. His reality with Gemma was far better than any dream he could have concocted.

Stephen pushed his glass away from him. “Even if, by some chance, I can convince Gemma to marry me, you must know that I am not worthy of her.”

Hugh bobbed his head. “We know, but it is Gemma’s decision. Not ours.”

“What if she does not want to take a chance on a broken man?” Stephen asked.

With a smirk, Hawthorne said, “I daresay that you underestimate Gemma. She is not like most women of theton.”

“No, she is not,” Stephen agreed. “Most women wouldn’t even give me a second look because of my lowly connections.”

“You are still quite wealthy in your own right,” Hawthorne said.

“I am, but how would you know such a thing?” Stephen asked.

Hawthorne chuckled. “Now it is me that you have underestimated,” he said. “I made some inquiries to ensure you were the man I thought you to be.”

“When did you make these inquiries?” Stephen questioned.

“The moment you started showing interest in my cousin,” Hawthorne said.

“I should have known,” Stephen muttered. He wasn’t offended by Hawthorne’s admission, but, rather, it demonstrated how much he cared for his cousin’s welfare.

Hawthorne caught the eye of a passing servant and held his empty glass up, indicating he wished for another drink. “Shall we celebrate your upcoming nuptials with Gemma?” he asked as he lowered his glass.

“She hasn’t agreed to be my wife.”

“Yet,” Hawthorne said. “But she will.”

“How can you be so confident?” Stephen asked.

“Because I see the way she looks at you, as if you were the only thing that could possibly matter,” Hawthorne said.

Feeling the emotions stirring inside of him, Stephen found himself admitting, “I love her.”

Hawthorne grinned. “We know, but why are you telling us?” he asked. “You should be confessing this to Gemma.”

Stephen glanced over at the darkened window. “It is too late to call upon Gemma, but I will do so tomorrow.”

Hugh spoke up. “You might want to work on your speech,” he advised. “I rehearsed mine, over and over, but my words became fumbled the moment I stood in front of Marielle.”

“But you convinced her to marry you,” Stephen said.

“I did, but that was because I spoke from the heart,” Hugh shared.

A server came over with a tray of drinks and placed them into the center of the table. Then he collected the empty glasses and stepped back.

Hawthorne retrieved a glass and held it up. “To Stephen,” he said. “May you say the right words and not botch it up with Gemma.”

“Thank you for the vote of confidence,” Stephen remarked.

Lord Grenton approached the table and pulled out a chair. “Are we celebrating something?” he asked, glancing between them.

Hawthorne lowered his glass and shared, “Stephen is going to offer for Gemma.”