“You two are,” she returned. “All of Society says you are soulmates, destined to be with one another. I am certain neither you nor Papa have ever doubted your love for one another.”
“While it is true that I fell in love with your papa the very first time we met”—Mama’s mouth curved with nostalgia—“like any road worth traveling, every relationship has its bumps. I have always fancied myself a modern mama, the kind a daughter would unburden herself to. I hope I have not been harboring a delusion.”
“You haven’t. You are the most accommodating of mamas.”
“Then talk to me, dearest girl, as you always have.”
After a moment, she blurted, “Do you think it’s wrong for me to like Mr. Godwin?”
“When it comes to relationships, right and wrong are seldom simple.” Her mama’s expression held no judgment. “Does he return your feelings?”
“I think so—or thought so, rather.” She nudged a pebble aside with her shoe. “Since this recent attempt on his life, he has been increasingly distant. You were there: he will not even discuss his suspicions concerning people who might want him dead.”
“His tendency to keep secrets is worrisome.”
Hearing the flatness of her mama’s tone, she said hastily, “Mr. Godwin is not always like this. In fact, he can be quite open.”
She thought of their easy, natural intimacy during the billiards game. She’d told him things she hadn’t told anyone else. She couldn’t reveal her forbidden trysts to her mama, however…and especially not the naughty secrets she and Conrad had shared.
“How much do you know about Mr. Godwin’s past?”
“He has shared some of it.” She glanced at her mama. “Promise you will not judge him by his origins.”
“When have you known me to be a snob?” Mama looked a bit miffed.
“Well, Papa did say that Mr. Godwin doesn’t belong in our world?—”
“What Papa meant was that Mr. Godwin lives by a different set of values,” Mama explained. “To your father, nothing is as important as a man’s character. Any suitor of yours must be a gentleman of honor. It is Mr. Godwin’s reputation as a man of ruthless ambition that concerns Papa, not his lack of a title.”
Ashamed, Gigi said, “I ought to have known that is what Papa meant. I am sorry I misunderstood.”
“I share your father’s concerns, my dear. As it stands, Papa has taken a dislike to Mr. Godwin, and it will take much convincing to change his mind.”
“And you, Mama?” Gigi asked in a small voice. “Could you bring yourself to like Mr. Godwin, even a little bit?”
“I do not know him well enough,” Mama said frankly. “And my concern is that he has not been honest with you.”
“He hasn’t lied to me,” Gigi protested.
“Lying by omission is still lying, my dear. He failed to mention the intrigues he is embroiled in. His presence in your life puts you at risk, and you were not even aware of it.”
“He would never endanger me. He is very protective. As for the other details…it takes him a while to trust, that is all. He has been fending for himself for most of his life, and it is a difficult habit to change.”
“If Mr. Godwin’s mistrust is a result of his past, then I believe that habit can be changed,” Mama allowed. “If he is willing. What do you know of his background?”
“He doesn’t have much family to speak of. His parents passed when he was young, and his guardian put him in boarding school. His siblings are deceased. When he became an adult, he found success as a prizefighter—that was how he got his stake to begin investing.”
“That explains the scars on his hands,” Mama murmured.
Of course, Mama would notice; she noticed everything.
“He also told me that he’d suffered a romantic disappointment,” Gigi disclosed. “But he thinks I am different. He says I am loyal, brave, and resourceful.”
“It is a positive sign that he values your finer qualities. But what about him? Are his intentions honorable, Gigi?”
“They are. Which is why, um, I asked Miss Letty to introduce you at the gala.”
“I had a feeling you were behind the introductions. In the future, you may skip the machinations and come straight to Papa and me.”
