Page 48 of A Devious Secret

Mr. Wycomb clenched his jaw for a moment before it relaxed. “How did you meet your husband?”

“At a ball,” she replied. “The moment I saw him, I knew he was the one.”

“Was it love at first sight for him, as well?”

She smiled at that memory. “Not at all. He later told me that he found my beauty to be off-putting.”

“He wasn’t wrong.”

“You are sweet, but it has been many years since I have been a diamond of the first water,” Gemma responded.

Mr. Wycomb brought her closer and she didn’t resist him. “You are still the most beautiful woman in this room, and everyone knows it,” he said.

Gemma felt a blush forming on her cheeks and she brought her gaze down to the lapels of his jacket. “You shouldn’t say such things to me, sir.”

“I am only speaking the truth.”

She pressed her lips together, then said, “I’m afraid I am not ready for the truth yet.”

Mr. Wycomb bobbed his head. “Then I shall strive to be patient.”

“I might not ever be ready… for the truth.”

“The truth can be scary, but I do believe the truth could set you free,” he said. “You just have to be strong enough to embrace the truth.”

Gemma brought her gaze up. “I wish it was that simple.”

“It can be as simple as you want it to be.”

“Not for me,” Gemma said. “I tend to overthink things. It used to drive Baldwin mad.”

Mr. Wycomb smiled. “You never did tell me how your husband won your heart.”

“He tripped me.”

Rearing back, Mr. Wycomb asked, “He tripped you?”

“Yes,” Gemma replied. “It wasn’t on purpose, mind you, but we were dancing, and I have never met someone that danced so poorly. He stuck his foot out and I tripped over it.”

“Are you sure he didn’t mean to trap you into marriage?”

“Heavens, no!” she said. “Baldwin was mortified but my father demanded that we be wed at once. He even went and secured us a special license.”

“It sounds like a rough way to start a marriage.”

“It does, but we were in love before we stood in front of the vicar,” Gemma said. “Baldwin said he fell in love the moment I landed in a heap on the dance floor and laughed.”

“You two were most fortunate to have found one another.”

“That we were.” Gemma grew quiet. “We were only married for a few years before he grew sick. One minute he was there, and the next… he was gone.” Her voice was soft.

Mr. Wycomb winced. “I am sorry. I do not mean to dredge up bad memories.”

“That’s just it, however. Every memory with Baldwin in it is a good one,” Gemma said. “The memories without him are what makes me sad.”

The music came to an end and Mr. Wycomb dropped his arms. He took a step back and bowed slightly at the hips. “Thank you for dancing with me, my lady.”

“You are most kindly welcome.”