Page 148 of A Devious Secret

“Your brother hasn’t asked yet,” Gemma pointed out.

“He would be a fool not to,” Marielle said.

Her aunt interrupted, scrunching her nose, “It is time you have a long soak. I’m afraid you smell quite awful.”

“Stephen didn’t seem to mind much,” Marielle remarked.

Her aunt perused the length of Gemma. “We will also need to throw out that ballgown. I’m afraid it is beyond saving.”

“Then I shall buy a new one since I have the funds to do so now,” Gemma said.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” her aunt said.

Gemma clasped her hands in front of her. “It turns out that the property that Baldwin left me produces an income of ten thousand pounds a year.”

Marielle’s brow shot up. “You are an heiress.”

“I am,” Gemma said. “That was just one of the things that Henry lied to me about.”

“Oh, dear,” her aunt stated. “It sounds as if we have much to discuss tomorrow. But, first, you need to take a bath and wash that stench off you.”

“I agree,” Gemma said as she walked towards the stairs.