Page 91 of A Devious Secret

“I know perfectly well what kind of man he is, and he is not defined by his profession,” Gemma said.

Her father’s eyes narrowed. “I raised you to be a lady, not a light-skirt.”

Stephen clenched his jaw so tightly a muscle below his ear started pulsing. “You will not treat Lady Hawkinge so disrespectfully.”

“I am her father. I will speak to her however I choose to,” he said haughtily.

As Stephen took a commanding step towards her father, Gemma stepped in between them and placed a hand on his chest. “I think it is best if you go, Father,” she urged.

“You would choose this commoner over your own father?” he asked in disbelief.

Gemma shifted to face her father. “You have never been, and never will be, a father to me,” she said.

Her father didn’t show any reaction to her words, but his next words caught her by surprise. “If it is permissible to you, I would like to speak to you privately… please.”

Gemma had never heard her father say “please” to anyone, causing her to wonder what he was about.

Stephen spoke up from behind her. “Would you care for me to stay close by?” he asked, earning a scoff from her father.

“I haven’t agreed to speak to him yet,” Gemma replied.

Her father’s eyes grew sad, if that was even possible. Her father was not one to show emotion of any kind and it softened her stance towards him.

Gemma turned towards Stephen and said, “It is all right. I will speak to him privately.”

“Are you sure?” Stephen asked.

“I am.”

Her father interjected, “For heaven’s sakes, will you not allow me to speak to my daughter?”

Stephen glared at her father. “If you say or do anything that disrespects her in any way, I will...”

“You will what?” her father asked, uninterested.

A dangerous gleam came into Stephen’s eyes, and she feared that her father had pushed him too far.

Stephen’s voice grew hard. “You do not want to cross me, my lord,” he drawled. “I will not stand for anyone disrespecting Lady Hawkinge.”

Her father opened his mouth to respond so Gemma spoke first. “My father will behave.” She gave him a pointed look. “Won’t you?”

He nodded. “I will.”

Gemma met Stephen’s gaze. “You do not need to worry,” she said. “I assure you that I can handle my father.”

“Very well,” Stephen responded, albeit reluctantly. “I will go, but I shall call upon you tomorrow.”

“I will be looking forward to it.”

Stephen’s gaze shifted towards her father’s and they stared at each other. After a tense moment, Stephen started walking back towards the townhouse.

Gemma turned and faced her father. “What is it that you want, Father?”

“What?” he asked. “No pleasantries?”

“I’m afraid not.”

Her father watched as Stephen stepped into the townhouse. “What are you thinking, Gemma?” he asked. “That man is not worthy of your time or notice.”