Page 152 of A Devious Secret

“It makes you vulnerable.”

Stephen took a sip of his drink, then said, “I do not like being vulnerable. It makes me feel uncomfortable.”

“Most men would agree with you, but it is different when you are speaking from the heart,” Hawthorne stated.

Lord Hugh arrived at the table and sat down. “Marielle sent me to tell you that Gemma is awake and it is a good time to propose.”

Stephen groaned. “I hope that Marielle didn’t tell Gemma that.”

“Of course not,” Hugh responded. “But I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that my mother is planning a celebratory dinner this evening in honor of your engagement.”

“I suppose I should get this over with,” Stephen said, rising.

“That’s the spirit,” Hugh joked.

“I would have killed Lord Hawkinge myself if he wasn’t already dead,” Marielle declared in a huff. “What he did to you was unforgiveable.”

Gemma nodded. “I won’t disagree with you there.”

Her aunt spoke up. “It is a good thing that Nathaniel and Lord Haddington went with Mr. Wycomb to rescue you on that ship.”

“It was,” Gemma agreed.

As she reached for her cup of tea, her aunt said, “Well, I am glad that you are home, where you belong.”

“I am grateful for that, as well,” Gemma responded. “But now that I know I have an income, it changes everything.”

“In what way?” her aunt pressed.

“I am in a position to live my life on my terms,” Gemma said. “I am not a poor relation anymore.”

“You must know that we never saw you that way,” her aunt stated.

“I know, which makes me even more grateful for everything you have done for me,” Gemma said.

Her aunt took a sip of her tea. “What do you intend to do with your newfound freedom?”

“I don’t rightly know,” Gemma replied.

Marielle perked up and encouraged, “You could always marry my brother.”

Gemma laughed. “Need I remind you that he hasn’t asked.”

“You could always ask him,” Marielle suggested.

Her aunt gasped. “Dear heavens!” she exclaimed. “What a ridiculous notion. A woman does not ask a gentleman to marry her.”

Marielle reached for a biscuit on the tray. “It is progressive, but not unfathomable.”

“In our circles it is,” her aunt said.

Dinah stepped into the room and went to sit down next to Marielle on the settee. “What did I miss?”

Marielle spoke up. “We are trying to convince Gemma to offer for Stephen.”

“It would be about time,” Dinah responded.

Balfour stepped into the room and met Gemma’s gaze. “Mr. Wycomb has come to call, my lady,” he informed her. “Are you available for callers?”