Page 9 of A Devious Secret

Gemma stepped into the entry hall and removed her hat. “It is good to see you looking so well, Balfour.”

Balfour’s eyes crinkled in the corners as he went to accept her hat. His eyebrows were mostly white, but a few black strands remained. “You are much too kind, but I am slowing down in my old age,” he said, placing the hat down onto a table. “Your aunt has been expecting you. If you will follow me, I will announce you.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Gemma insisted. “I know the way.”

Balfour tipped his head. “Very good, my lady.”

Gemma walked over to the drawing room and promptly recognized her Aunt Edith’s voice that was drifting out into the entry hall. She took a moment to smooth down her blue traveling habit, hoping she looked somewhat presentable.

Taking a step into the room, she saw that her aunt was conversing with a blonde-haired young woman.

Her aunt stopped speaking when she saw her, and a smile came to her lips. “Gemma,” she said, rising, “you have finally arrived.”

“I have,” she responded, suddenly feeling very nervous.

Her aunt crossed the room and gave her a warm embrace. As she leaned back, she said, “It is so good to see you, my dear.”

Gemma felt herself relax in her aunt’s arms. “Thank you.”

Dropping her arms, her aunt gestured towards the blonde-haired young woman. “Allow me to introduce you to my daughter-in-law, Dinah, the Countess of Hawthorne.”

Gemma dropped into a curtsy. “A pleasure.”

Dinah offered her a kind smile. “I have heard so much about you that I feel as if I already know you.”

“I am not sure if I should be relieved or frightened,” Gemma joked.

Dinah laughed, just as she had intended. “Would you care for some tea?” she asked, waving her hand over the teapot.

“I would love some,” Gemma replied.

Her aunt looped arms with her and started leading her towards the settee. “I am so glad that you decided to join us for the rest of the Season.”

“I do appreciate the invitation,” Gemma said.

“It is the least I could do for my favorite niece.”

“I am your only niece.”

Aunt Edith slipped Gemma’s arms out of hers and returned to her seat. “Regardless, I am excited that you are here, and I know your cousins feel the same.”

“Where are Nathaniel and Hugh?” Gemma asked as she sat across from her aunt and Dinah.

Dinah handed her a cup of tea and replied, “Nathaniel is rather busy today and Hugh is spending time with Marielle.”

Nathaniel’s voice came from the doorway. “I am never too busy to say hello to my favorite cousin.”

Gemma placed her cup down onto the table and rose to face him. She was surprised to see that he was wearing a blue jacket that had tattered sleeves and his boots could use a good polish. It was a far cry from what she expected an earl to wear.

As Nathaniel walked further into the room, he asked, “How was your journey to Town?”

“It was uneventful.”

“Those are the best kind of trips.” Nathaniel went and slipped his arm around his wife’s waist before asking, “How are you faring?”

Nathaniel and Dinah exchanged a look of love that caused Gemma to feel a twinge of jealousy. She used to look at Baldwin like that.

“I am well,” Dinah replied.