Page 64 of A Devious Secret

Another guard approached and commanded, “It is time for you to go meet with the constable.”

The man glared at Stephen. “Heed my warning, Mr. Wycomb.”

Both guards grabbed the man’s arms and started dragging him towards the door.

Gemma remained rooted where she was but Marielle ran towards her brother, throwing her arms around him.

“Are you all right?” she asked as she leaned back. “I was so scared for you.”

Stephen gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m fine,” he replied. “I have been hit much harder before. It was nothing that I couldn’t handle.”

Marielle touched his jaw and Stephen winced. “Perhaps we should call the doctor.”

“There is no need,” Stephen said as he lowered her hand. “You do not need to fuss over me.”

Hugh’s eyes remained fixed on the door. “How did that man know I frequented gambling hells?”

“He must have read about it in the Society pages,” Marielle replied.

Not looking convinced, Hugh said, “He didn’t seem like the person that would read the Society pages.”

Marielle went to stand next to her husband. “It wasn’t exactly a secret that you visited gambling hells.”

“True, but I have never seen that man before so how did he know who I was?” Hugh asked.

“Perhaps you beat him in a hand of cards?” Stephen asked.

Hugh shrugged. “I beat a lot of people and sometimes the details grew fuzzy the more the night went on.”

Stephen shifted his gaze to Gemma. “Are you all right?”

Gemma let out a shaky laugh. “You are asking me if I am all right?” she asked. “I should be asking you that question.”

He closed the distance between them. “You do not need to fear for me.”

“How can I not?” she asked. “Someone just ran up to you and struck you in the face because of me.”

“Do you know of anyone who would have sent someone to threaten me to stay away from you?” Stephen asked.

“No,” she replied.

“Think, Gemma,” Stephen pressed.

Gemma brought a hand to her forehead. “I suppose my father or Henry, but they wouldn’t have done such a thing.”

“Who is Henry?”

“He is my brother-in-law,” Gemma revealed as she lowered her hand. “He can be possessive of me at times, but he is not a violent man.”

Stephen placed his hand on her sleeve and in a calm voice said, “We need to get you out of here before we garner any more attention.”

Gemma turned her head and saw that a small crowd had begun to gather around them. She didn’t fight Stephen as he ledher towards the door, down the hall and out the main door. He assisted her into the carriage, and she felt great relief once the vehicle started down the street.

None of this made any sense. Why would someone attack Stephen and threaten him to stay away from her?