Page 74 of A Devious Secret

“What do you truly know about your stepmother?”

Gemma stepped out of his arms and gave him a look of disbelief. “Whose side are you on?”

“Why do there have to be sides?”

“Even after everything I have told you about my stepmother, you still believe I should let her into my life?” Gemma demanded.

“I just want to do right by you.”

“Then know this, my stepmother is a conniving woman that will do anything to achieve her purposes,” Gemma said. “She is not to be trusted.”

“I believe you, but I am well acquainted with the effects of letting hatred occupy a place in your heart. It will consume you, body and soul, until you are only left with despair.”

Gemma’s expression grew unreadable as she said, “I don’t hate my stepmother. Quite frankly, I don’t know her well enoughto do so.” She paused. “May I ask why you are so acquainted with hatred?”

Stephen realized his misstep. He should never have shared his experience with Gemma. If she knew how much hate and resentment he had chosen to hold on to, she would never look at him the same way again.

He reached down and picked up the plate of biscuits. “Would you care for a biscuit?” he asked, hoping to distract her.

Gemma removed the plate from his hand and replied, “I would prefer if you answered my question.”

“I assure you that it is not a question that you want an answer to.”

“Let me be the judge of that,” Gemma said.

Stephen grew quiet. He was trying to think of something to say that would appease Gemma but wouldn’t reveal too much about himself.

Gemma placed the plate down onto the tray and stepped closer to him, causing her to tilt her head to look at him. “You can trust me, Stephen.”

“I do trust you.”

“Then tell me what troubles you.”

“I don’t even know where to begin.”

“It generally helps if you start from the beginning.”

Stephen sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. “You don’t know what you are asking of me.”

Gemma went to place a hand on his sleeve. “Just as you want to know the real me, I want to know the real you.”

“But I assure you that I am not very interesting.”

“I disagree.”

Stephen reached for her hand on his sleeve and held it tightly. “You are good and kindhearted, and I am not. I am deeply flawed- far more than you even realize.”

“I have a fairly good idea of who you are.”

Gemma stared at him with nothing but trust in those big, green eyes, and he wanted to warn her to stay away from him. But he couldn’t seem to find the words to do so.

Lady Montfort’s voice came from behind them. “It is a beautiful day we are having, is it not?”

Stephen dropped his hand and took a step back from Gemma.

Gemma seemed to recover first because she picked up the plate of biscuits and addressed her aunt. “Would you care for a biscuit?”

Lady Montfort did not look amused. “I shall pass.” She shifted her gaze towards him. “Mr. Wycomb, it is a pleasure to see you again.”