Page 72 of A Devious Secret

Chapter Eleven

Stephen was not one to eavesdrop, but he couldn’t help overhearing some of Gemma’s conversation as he stood in the entry hall. He could hear the pain and anger in her voice as she spoke, causing his heart to ache for her. He wanted to help her, but he knew it wasn’t his place to do so.

Hawthorne came up behind him and said, “I see that Gemma is still speaking to her stepmother.”

“I take it that she is not close with her stepmother.”

“I’m afraid not.” Hawthorne grew solemn. “Considering what Gemma has been through, she deserves a lifetime of happiness."

Stephen went to respond but stopped himself when Lady Winsley stepped out of the drawing room. Her eyes were full of tears, and she ducked her head as she moved towards the main door. The butler opened the door and she hurried out of the townhouse.

Hawthorne gave him an encouraging nod. “Good luck with Gemma.”

“I don’t need luck.” He paused. “Do I?”

With a chuckle, Hawthorne replied, “You obviously have never dealt with an emotional woman before. They tend to not think clearly.”

“You seem to forget that I have a sister,” Stephen said. “Marielle can be quite unreasonable when she is emotional.”

Hawthorne placed a hand on his shoulder. “I will inform my aunt that you have come to call, which should give you a small period of time alone with Gemma. Use your time wisely, and don’t make me regret this.”

Stephen didn’t want to waste a moment of his time with Gemma so he proceeded into the drawing room and saw that her back was to him. Her shoulders were slightly slumped, and he could see her wiping at her eyes.

“Gemma,” he said softly.

Gemma brought her head up but she didn’t turn around. “I’m afraid I need just a moment.” Her voice was shaky.

Stephen removed a handkerchief from his jacket pocket and approached her. He held it out and she accepted it.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

He walked over to the window and stared out as he waited for Gemma to compose herself. He didn’t want to rush her. He wanted her to confide in him, in her own due time.

After a long moment, Gemma turned to face him with a smile on her lips. “I am sorry for keeping you waiting.”

Her words were courteous enough, but he wasn’t fooled by her sudden transformation, especially since her eyes were still red and puffy.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“I am,” she said.

He took a step closer to her. “I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but I did happen to overhear some of your conversation.”

“That is to be expected since we were not striving to be quiet.” Gemma walked over to the table and gestured towards the tray. “Would you care for some biscuits?”

“You seemed upset when you were speaking to your stepmother.”

Gemma picked up a plate. “I daresay that the cook here makes the best biscuits. They are simply divine.”

Stephen walked over to Gemma and took the plate from her hand. As he set it down onto the tray, he said, “I do not want any biscuits, Gemma.”

“Then what would you like?” she asked as she avoided his gaze. “The cook can make anything that you desire.”

He placed his hands on her shoulders and waited for her to look at him. “It is evident that you are upset, and I am here if you want to talk about it.”

“I’m not upset,” Gemma said. “To be upset implies that I care about my stepmother, which I most assuredly do not.”

“I think you care more than you are letting on.”