Page 4 of A Devious Secret

As Stephen walked through the main hall of his club, he found it preposterous that Hawthorne would even imply this widow would turn his head. No, he was destined to be alone. His life was not conducive to having a wife and it would be best if he stayed far away from this woman- this Lady Hawkinge.

Gemma, Countess of Hawkinge, was tired. She was tired of pretending that all was well when she had an innate desire to do something more with her life. Her life consisted of sitting around the Dowager House and drinking tea. But she didn’t dare complain about her lot in life for fear that it could be taken from her.

Her husband had died over a year and a half ago and he had only left her with a worthless piece of land, leaving her entirely at the whim of her brother-in-law. Henry was not a bad man, but she felt he spent entirely too much of his time trying to manage her. And she didn’t need to be managed.

Reaching in the folds of her gown, she removed the letter that her aunt had written to her. Lady Montfort had invited her for the remainder of the Season now that she was out of mourning. She had to admit that she was excited about going. She couldn’twait to see the sights of London and to walk through Hyde Park. It had been far too long since she had last done that.

Gemma felt tears burn in the back of her eyes. Baldwin had confessed his love for her at Hyde Park, and it had been the happiest day of her life. She had naively thought they would have had a life full of love and happiness, but Baldwin had been taken from her much too early.

The main door opened, and she could hear Henry’s familiar voice as he conversed with her butler. A moment later, Henry stepped into the room with a smile on his face.

Henry was a handsome man with his dark brown hair, square jaw, and wide shoulders. Physically, he reminded her so much of her late husband, but Henry did have a temper. It would only flare up on occasion, and she was mindful to avoid him at these times.

“Good morning, Gemma,” Henry greeted.

She returned his smile, knowing what was expected of her. “Good morning,” she said.

“I came to join you for breakfast this morning. I do hope you haven’t eaten yet.”

Gemma returned the letter to the folds of her gown. “I have not,” she replied. “I was just reading a letter from my aunt.”

“I hope all is well.”

Rising, Gemma said, “It is.” She knew it wasn’t the right moment to reveal that her aunt had invited her to Town. Frankly, she wasn’t quite sure how Henry would react to her leaving Hawkinge.

Henry approached her and offered his hand. Gemma slipped her gloved hand into his and allowed him to assist her in rising.

As she went to remove her hand, Henry caught hold of it and moved it into the crook of his arm. “You must allow me to escort you into the dining room,” he said.

“But, of course,” Gemma responded. She wanted to chide him for being too familiar, but she knew he would dismiss it out of hand. She had learned it was better for her if she just accepted the way things were around here.

Henry led her through the entry hall and into the dining room. He dropped his arm, waved off the footman, and went to pull out a chair for her.

“Thank you,” Gemma murmured as she sat down.

Henry went to sit at the head of the long rectangular table. “How are you faring this morning?” he asked.

“I am well.”

With a watchful eye, he said, “I noticed that you did not go riding this morning.”

Gemma leaned to the side as a footman placed a cup of tea in front of her. “I’m afraid I was not feeling up to it,” she admitted.

“Should I send for the doctor?”

“That won’t be necessary,” she rushed to reply. The last thing she wanted was the doctor to suggest bloodletting as a treatment.

A footman placed a plate in front of her with her usual breakfast of a piece of toast and one hard-boiled egg.

Henry looked at her plate with disapproval. “I do not know why you insist on eating so little for breakfast.”

“It is sufficient for me.”

“That is hardly enough food for a pigeon.” Henry snapped his fingers at the footman. “Bring Lady Hawkinge another egg and some chops and liver.”

Gemma frowned as she glanced down at her plate. There was no point in arguing with Henry, especially when he got like this.

Henry turned his attention back towards her. “I find that a hearty breakfast prepares me for the day.”