Page 5 of A Devious Secret

Reaching for her piece of toast, she took a bite of it and took her time chewing. It was far more preferable than talkingto Henry. If he really knew what she was thinking, he would no doubt punish her for her insolence.

Henry took a sip of his tea and said, “I will be in meetings all day with my solicitor, but I was hoping you would join me for dinner this evening.”

Gemma felt dread in the pit of her stomach as she knew the time had come to discuss her plans with him. She had no doubt that this would be a battle of the wills, and she had no desire to back down.

Placing the piece of toast back onto her plate, she gave him a smile and hoped that it would disarm him. “My aunt, Lady Montfort, has invited me to join them for the remainder of the Season.”

Henry just stared at her, his expression giving nothing away. Finally, he asked, “Why would you wish to go to London?”

“I was hoping to go to the opera, tour the menagerie, and visit the shops on Bond Street,” Gemma replied.

“London is terribly overcrowded and the smell wafting off the River Thames is horrific this time of year.”

“That is true, but I do believe the good outweighs the bad.”

Henry shook his head. “It is a terrible idea,” he said. “I think it would be best if you remain here.”

“Why?” she asked. “Not only am I out of mourning but I am rather bored.”

Henry picked up his fork and pointed it at her. “Then we shall acquire new books for your library.”

“Books are hardly the issue,” she responded.

“Then what is the issue?” Henry asked as he started eating.

Gemma shifted in her seat to face him. “I would like to spend time with my aunt, uncle and cousins,” she said. “It would be nice to be around family.”

Henry’s nostrils flared slightly. “Am I not your family?”

“Yes, you are, and I meant no disrespect,” Gemma rushed out. “I just thought a change of scenery might do me good.”

“I agree, but it is much too soon for you to return to Society,” Henry said.

“I respectfully disagree.”

Henry pursed his lips. “Have you forgotten my brother so soon?”

Gemma lowered her gaze and murmured, “There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about Baldwin.”

“Yet you are rushing to London like a love-craved debutante.”

“I am not going to London to seek another husband,” Gemma asserted.

“Good, because I fear that you would be sorely disappointed,” Henry remarked. “Baldwin left you hardly anything and you are living off my good graces.”

Bringing her gaze back up, Gemma replied, “I am aware, and I am most grateful for your kindness and generosity.”

“No respectable man in high Society would offer for a woman that had no dowry or inheritance of her own,” Henry pressed. “You may be beautiful, my dear, but you have nothing of value to offer to any man. It is a simple fact.”

“I am well aware of my shortcomings, but I still wish to go to London.”

“Your dresses are hardly in the height of fashion, and I refuse to pay for a whole new wardrobe for you,” Henry said. “You would be a laughingstock the moment you stepped foot into a social event and that would reflect poorly on me.”

Gemma took a sip of her tea as she gathered her courage to keep fighting. “My gowns are almost two years old, but I am sure my lady’s maid could make some adjustments on them.”

“What of the household staff at the Dowager House?” he demanded. “Do you expect me to continue paying their wages while you are cavorting around London?”

“I assure you that I will not be cavorting,” she replied. “Furthermore, I do have some money that could go towards their wages. It isn’t much, mind you, but I think it will be sufficient.”