“I haven’t done nearly enough,” Gideon hissed. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, his vexation mounting each time Lewis attempted to redirect him from his path of vengeance. “They must all be dealt with – they are fortunate it is by pen and not by sword. And I believed you, of all people, would stay by my side throughout this. You were there when Jasper was killed because of the decisions of these snakes.”
“Gideon, I am with you,” Lewis assured him hastily. “I merely wanted you to consider the bigger picture. Don’t you recall what happened with the Earl of Marlowe?”
The name made Gideon bite back his imminent reply. He couldn’t forget the Earl of Marlowe. Marlowe was the only one of his victims who had made him feel a sliver of pity after he’d brought about his downfall. Gideon had targeted him with the same fervor he had the other Dukes and Earls who had exploited his father, and in doing so, upended the man’s entire life. The Earl had eventually passed away a few months after Gideon had taken him for everything he had on a reckless wager he’d made when he was in his cups.
When the Earl died, leaving behind a destitute family, Gideon was left with an acrid taste of regret. The daughters had vanished from high society, their fates a blank page he refused to ponder. Yes, what he’d done to the Earl felt strikingly similar to what the Earl had done to the late Duke of Stanhope. But that was exactly what the man deserved. The matter was closed now and he wouldn’t dwell on it any longer.
Only Lewis was privy to the toll the Earl of Marlowe’s demise had taken on Gideon, a moment of weakness shared and swiftly discarded. But Lewis seemed intent on prodding that sealed chamber of conscience once more.
“The Earl reaped the consequences of his own despicable actions,” Gideon countered firmly. “And I will not allow any of them to get away with their transgressions, Lewis. I will reachout to Sir Clarkeson immediately to see about purchasing the Serpent’s Den.”
“I think you should reconsider,” Lewis repeated.
“Why?” Gideon demanded.
Lewis opened his mouth to respond, but Gideon saw the exact moment he decided against it. His shoulders slumped and he shook his head. “I learned a long time ago that there is no use trying to talk you out of something you have already decided on.”
“I do not understand why you feel the need to.”
Lewis only sighed. “Nor will you ever. I shall see myself out, Gideon.”
Gideon exhaled a frustrated breath and got to his feet. “You do not have to,” he tried but Lewis instantly shook his head, a smile flitting over his face as he made his way to the door. He paused midway through opening it. “I forgot to ask. How is the Duchess?”
Gideon didn’t know how best to answer that question. It felt weighted, despite its simplicity. “She is doing well.”
“That’s good. Very good,” Lewis’ smile grew strained. “I hope the two of you find happiness in one another, Gideon. Truly.”
He left without allowing Gideon the chance to respond. The moment he was gone, Gideon let out a groan, raking his fingers through his hair. It felt like he and Lewis were no longer on the same page and he couldn’t understand for the life of him why. Lewis was his dearest friend, the only person who understood and hadwitnessedthe darkness that Gideon hid deep in his heart. But now, Gideon felt more alone than ever.
Gideon, too, exited the study an hour later, needing to clear his mind. He would go to visit Jasper’s grave. Every time he went there, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. Any thoughts of wavering decisively disappeared. And seeing that the end was so near, Gideon required all the motivation he could get.
As he rounded a corridor, a flash of goldenrod fabric and chestnut curls at the other end of the hallway caught his eye. Gideon’s heart began to race and he quickened his steps to catch up to her. By the time he reached the corridor’s end she had turned down, she was already descending the staircase. Gideon hadn’t realized how quickly she moved, her movements swift yet unhurried.
He slowed his stride, remaining several paces behind her, hoping that she would remain oblivious to his presence. He was quite aware of how unusual this was but he was also curious. What did she do to occupy her time during the day?
His curiosity gnawed away at the irritation and dispiritedness that had consumed him only moments prior. He tucked his hands into his pocket as he started down the staircase as well, admiring her from behind. She had quite a lovely figure,enhanced by the elegant gowns she’d taken to wearing when she arrived here. Even the slope of her neck excited him, filling him with the urge to weave his fingers through the tendrils of curls there that had been left untouched in her hairstyle.
Amelia paused at the half-landing, then veered into the small library tucked away on its right. It wasn’t a room Gideon frequented often. As a matter of fact, he’d erased its existence from his mind.
He made his way down the steps, pausing outside the now-closed rosewood door. He hesitated in going in. On the one hand, he wanted to see her, to share her company, to simply be around her. On the other hand—a feeling he’d never experienced before—he did not want to be deemed a bother.
Casting aside hesitation, he pushed the door open—and stopped short.
Amelia stood facing him with her arms crossed and her head cocked to the side. “Is there a reason you are following me,Your Grace?”
CHAPTER 22
The surprise plastered across Gideon’s face was so humorous that Amelia nearly surrendered to laughter, her serious expression teetering on the brink. She arched a brow in question, watching as he fumbled for a response. It was quite the rare sight – coming from the infamous and charming Duke of Stanhope.
“It… it did not occur to me that you might be aware of my presence,” he confessed at last.
“How could I not when you make no attempt to lighten your footfalls?” Unable to hold back any longer, Amelia’s stern demeanor slipped, revealing a suppressed smile. “Yet you have still not answered my question. Why were you following me?”
Gideon mirrored her smile, and heavens, if it didn’t make her heart flutter in her chest. “I was curious to see what you were up to.” His gaze swept across the small room. “I’d nearly forgotten this library was here. How did you find it?”
“Jenny showed it to me while we toured the castle together.”
“Jenny?”
