Page 49 of A Devious Secret

Mr. Wycomb offered his arm. “Allow me to escort you back to your cousins.”

Gemma placed her hand on his and they departed the dance floor. They walked through the crowd of people until she saw Hugh and Marielle standing next to a column. She was just about to point them out when Mr. Wycomb shifted his direction towards them.

Once they arrived, Mr. Wycomb didn’t drop his arm and she saw no need to do so either. She found she enjoyed being this close to him.

Her aunt’s voice came from behind her, startling her. “I saw you dancing the waltz, my dear,” she said. “You were flawless in your movements.”

Gemma removed her hand from Mr. Wycomb’s and turned to face her aunt. “That is because of my partner, Mr. Wycomb.”

Mr. Wycomb bowed. “Lady Montfort,” he greeted. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”

She tipped her head to acknowledge him before she turned back to Gemma. “If you will come with me, I have a few people that I would like to introduce you to.”

“Yes, Aunt Edith,” Gemma said.

As they walked away, her aunt leaned closer to her and said, “A word of advice- you cannot dance with a gentleman like you did with Mr. Wycomb and not expect people to talk.”

“How exactly did I dance with Mr. Wycomb?”

“You appeared beguiled by the man.”

Gemma pursed her lips. “I am not beguiled by Mr. Wycomb.”

“Just be cautious,” her aunt advised. “You may be a widow, but you are not untouchable. Gossips will still talk.”

“Why should I care?”

Her aunt came to an abrupt stop and turned to face her. “You are a part of this family, and a shameful scandal could ruin our good name,” she replied.

“I understand.”

Placing her hands on Gemma’s shoulders, Aunt Edith said, “Keep your chin up. Just remember that everything you do is on display for others to see.”

“How wonderful,” she muttered.

“You have been in the country for far too long. Thetondelights in watching people’s failures.” Her aunt perused the length of her. “I see that your ballgown turned out splendidly.”

“Yes, it did.”

Her aunt dropped her arms to her sides. “I know that it has been some time, but it is imperative that you do not dance with Mr. Wycomb again this evening.”

“I remember,” Gemma muttered. “To do so would imply that we have an understanding between us.”

Her aunt frowned as she glanced over her shoulder. “I hadn’t realized that your father would be in attendance this evening.”

“My father is here?” Gemma followed her aunt’s gaze and saw her father and stepmother approaching them.

“Try not to create a scene,” her aunt counseled as she brought a smile to her face. “Andrew, what a delight it is to see you here.”

Her stone-faced father came to a stop next to them and tipped his head at his sister. “Edith.” He turned his attention towards her, and his expression did not soften a bit. Not that she expected it to. He was like a stranger to her. “Gemma.”

Knowing what was expected of her, she dropped into a curtsy. “Father.”

Her stepmother was tall, with dark brown hair, and wore clothing that left little to the imagination. She looped her hand through her husband’s arm and greeted her politely. “You are looking well, Gemma.”

Gemma had little to say to her stepmother, so she remained quiet.

Her father either didn’t care about her insolence or didn’t notice because he demanded, “Do you want to explain to me why you were dancing with someone so far below your station?”