Page 55 of A Devious Secret

“Mr. Wycomb is the first man that has shown me favor since Baldwin died.”

Lydia shook her head. “No, Mr. Wycomb is the first man that you have noticed showing you favor,” she said. “You just have never wanted to look before.”

Gemma reached for her cup of chocolate and took a sip. “My father was there last night,” she revealed.

“Did he make a scene?”

“Thankfully not, but he did chastise me for embarrassing myself with Mr. Wycomb,” Gemma responded.

“How exactly did you embarrass yourself?”

“I danced with a man that was well below my station, and there is nothing worse in the eyes of my father.” Leaning forward, Gemma placed her cup back onto the tray. “That is one advantage of being a widow. I am no longer under his thumb.”

“Was your stepmother there?”

Gemma made a face. “Yes, and her gown was entirely too revealing. I should have shoved a grapefruit in her cleavage, and I daresay she wouldn’t have noticed.”

Lydia giggled. “That is terrible of you.”

A knock came at the door, interrupting their conversation.

“Enter,” Gemma ordered.

The door opened and a young maid stepped into the room. “Lord Hawkinge has come to call,” she revealed.

Gemma resisted the urge to groan. She didn’t feel like entertaining Henry, but she had no choice but to do so. She didn’t dare insult him by turning him away.

“Will you inform him that I shall be down shortly?”

The young maid dropped into a curtsy. “Yes, my lady.”

Once the door was closed, Lydia placed her hair into a tight chignon. “It is simple, but it will do for now,” she said. “We must hurry and dress you so Lord Hawkinge will not chide you for making him wait long.”

Gemma walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a simple pale blue gown. “I would prefer to wear this when I receive Lord Hawkinge.”

“Is there a particular reason why?”

“I do not feel like dressing up for Lord Hawkinge,” Gemma replied.

Lydia accepted the gown and placed it next to the green gown. She stepped back towards Gemma and asked, “Shall we?”

A short while later, Gemma descended the stairs of the townhouse and headed for the drawing room. She stepped inside and saw Henry was staring out the tall window, an annoyed look on his face.

“Henry,” she greeted, dropping into a curtsy. “How pleased I am that you have come to call on me.”

Henry’s eyes perused the length of her and she saw approval inside of them. “You look lovely, my dear.”

“You always flatter me.” Gemma gestured towards the settees. “Would you care to have a seat?”

“I would like that very much.”

Gemma went to sit down in the middle of the yellow settee in anticipation of Henry sitting across from her. However, he claimed the seat next to her and she quickly moved over, creating more distance between them.

Henry removed his pocket watch and glanced at it. “I would be remiss if I did not mention that my time is precious and I do not have time to wait in a drawing room, for anyone.”

“I apologize, but I’m afraid it couldn’t be helped,” Gemma said. “I woke up much later than I intended and—”

He cut her off. “I abhor excuses. Just promise me that it won’t happen again and we can move past this.”