Page 129 of A Devious Secret

“I would, but it is better if I go alone,” Gemma replied. “My father doesn’t exactly approve of you.”

Stephen grew solemn. “I care little of what your father thinks of me. I only care whatyouthink of me.”

Gemma brought her gaze back to meet his. “I find you to be tolerable,” she said lightly.

“Just tolerable?” he asked.

She smirked. “More than tolerable.”

Stephen’s eyes dropped to her lips. “I was hoping for ‘more than tolerable’,” he said in a hoarse voice.

Gemma’s breath hitched. He already had her heart, but she didn’t dare admit that, not here, not now.

Taking a step back, Stephen asked, “Would you care to take a turn around the gardens after you speak to your father?” He paused. “There is something that I wish to ask you.”

Gemma nodded, not trusting her voice. She wanted nothing more than to remain here with Stephen, but she had her father that she had to attend to first.

Stephen’s lips twitched as he watched her. “If we keep standing here, staring at one another, I have no doubt that gossips’ tongues will start wagging.”

His words caused her to snap back to reality. “You are right,” she said, pleased she’d found her voice. “I shall be back in a moment.”

“I will be waiting,” Stephen responded.

Gemma headed out onto the veranda and down the path towards the rear of the gardens. She arrived at the giant oak tree but she saw no sign of her father.

Where was he? Perhaps he grew tired of waiting for her and went back inside.

The snap of a twig came from behind her, but before she could turn around, everything went black.

Stephen remained rooted in his spot as he watched Gemma walk down the path in the gardens. He wished that she would have allowed him to escort her to her father, but he knew it wasn’t his place to do so. Once Gemma was out of his view, he walked over to the drink table and picked up a glass of champagne. He took a long sip before he placed it on the tray of a passing servant. Then he made his way through the crowd towards his sister and Hugh.

As he came to a stop next to Marielle, she asked, “Where is Gemma?”

“She went to speak to her father in the gardens,” Stephen replied.

Hugh gave him an odd look. “Are you sure she was meeting with her father?” he asked. “I only ask because I saw Lord Winsley enter the card’s room just a short time ago.”

“That is what she told me,” Stephen said as his eyes darted to the French doors that led to the gardens. “Perhaps I should go check on her.”

“That might be for the best,” Marielle encouraged.

Stephen didn’t need to be told twice. He made his way towards the French doors and even the cool night air did little to squash the growing unease that was forming in the pit of his stomach. He hurried down the path, his eyes roaming over the gardens, but he saw no sign of Gemma.

Where was she? She couldn’t have just disappeared.

As he arrived at the fence in the back, Stephen saw that a gate was slightly ajar but there were no obvious signs of foul play. He asked himself if she had left willingly.

No. She wouldn’t have done such a thing. He was sure of that. Which meant that someone forced her to go with them and he had a pretty good idea of who was involved with this- Lord Winsley. Why else would he have arranged a meeting with his daughter in the gardens under the darkness of night?

With determined strides, Stephen passed through the gardens and stepped into the ballroom. He pushed his way through the crowd as he headed towards the card’s room.

As he was about to head inside, Hugh stepped in front of him and asked, “What has happened?”

“Gemma is gone,” Stephen replied as he tried to sidestep Hugh, “and I am going to go speak to Lord Winsley.”

Hugh stepped to the side and continued to block his path. “Come with me,” he ordered.

“Why would I do such a thing?” Stephen asked. “Lord Winsley knows something about Gemma’s disappearance. I am sure of it.”