Griffin looked like he was going to the gallows as he walked across the room and the men sat down together on the settee. Griffin’s knee bumped his and Aaron felt electric awareness shoot through him.
“I’m going to speak plainly because I have a feeling you two have convinced yourselves that you are not allowed to do the same. Obviously, I know of Aaron’s predilections. Am I right to know that you’re now aware of our shared past with Noah, Griffin?”
Griffin leaned forward and caught her hands. “Ididn’tknow until very recently, Letty. I’m so very sorry you went through such a difficult time. I had no idea.”
Letty’s face went soft and kind. “Oh Griffin, it was a long time ago. And yes, it was painful, but I was just explaining to Aaron that the pain had a purpose. And it placed me where I am, which is exactly where I want to be. So I don’t look back at that time with anguish, but with love for Noah and for Aaron, as well as gratitude that I have the life I have today.”
Griffin squeezed her hands. “You are so good, so forgiving.”
She shrugged off the compliment. “What you might not know is that I am also aware ofyourdesires, Griffin.”
All the color drained from Griffin’s face, and he looked so stricken that Aaron wanted to wrap his arms around him and draw him close for comfort. But he couldn’t, of course he couldn’t.
“I-I don’t know what you mean,” Griffin croaked, pulling his hands away.
She leaned back, a look of incredulity on her face. “Oh darling, I didn’t guess it back when you had your difficulties with Jack, but over time I recognized your acting out, your feeling like you didn’t fit…as what it was. I saw a great many signs and suddenly everything became clear.”
“Letty,” Griffin whispered.
Letty reached across the gap and took his hand once more. Aaron squeezed his eyes shut as the tingle of tears filled them. How often had she done the same for him, accepting him and loving him regardless of his life? That kind of kindness and love was so rare—it was why he so wanted to protect her.
“I long ago came to believe that how you feel isn’t some kind of choice you’ve made out of spite,” she said. “And if you were created this way, there is no mistake to it. Whatever Society would say or do to you because of who and what you are, I don’t judge it. Of course, at first I was afraid. The laws…the consequences…they are grave. But so are the consequences of locking away love from your life. I want you to be happy.”
“Well, it’s complicated,” Griffin began.
Letty interrupted him with a bark of laughter. “There’s that word again. You parrot each other so beautifully, it is no wonder I see you together.”
Aaron jolted as both he and Griffin said, “What?” at the same time.
Her smile grew wider at the shared outburst, and she nodded. “I’ve seen you interact in passing and a little idea came to my mind. I decided to bring you both here in the hopes I could orchestrate some kind of romance.”
Griffin stared at her, his mouth dropped open in silent shock. Aaron could barely catch his breath, but he managed to choke out, “You—you playedmatchmaker?”
“I intended to do so. I suppose I stilldid. After all I, ensured you were matched together for the scavenger hunt and placed you next to each other when I could,” she said.
Griffin’s eyes went even wider. “You manipulated the scavenger hunt?” he said with a shake of his head.
“Yes,” she admitted freely and without a hint of apology. “You two even had clues different from everyone else’s so you could spend time together. Oh, they ended in the correct place, of course—youcouldhave won. But that wasn’t the prize I hoped you’d find.”
“I didn’t think you had it in you,” Aaron breathed.
She laughed. “You will find being married to a once-notorious criminal gives one a bit more willingness to cheat to get what one wants. Only I realized quite quickly that my machinations were not really effective. After all, almost immediately upon seeing you together I realized there was already a tension between you. I was only adding fuel to a fire, not setting the foundation for it.”
“Do you think the others saw the same thing?” Aaron whispered, bile rising in his chest.
“No, of course not. I was looking for signs you two had a connection. More than half the ladies don’t even realize such a thing could exist between men. The men know, but they don’t look for it. Though when it comes to our scandalous family, I honestly doubt most of the Woodleys would even blink about it.”
Griffin dipped his head. “There are different levels of scandal, Letty. And you know it.”
Her expression softened. “Very well, you’re right. As I said, I am not blind to the dangers.”
“And not just the legal ones. What about Mama? She wants me to marry. She devotes a great deal of time in London to encouraging me to do so. What would she think about this, even if it could be?”
Letty nodded. “Yes, I’ve been pondering that. Mama is very happy here, you know. She loves being around Aunt Susanna and Mr. Gray. And she adores being near the children. Aunt Susanna has expressed an openness to asking her to stay here in the big house indefinitely. If she had a focus on her grandchildren, she would not be so focused on you. And I would do everything in my power to calm her drive to force you into something you didn’t want. Without revealing your secret, of course.”
Griffin blinked. “You would?”
“Yes. But these are all details and thatisn’tthe point of what I’m saying to you both. The point is that I want you two to be happy. And if you could be happy together, that would be even better for me. I already know Aaron and trust him, so I wouldn’t worry about who he was or what his motives were with you, Griffin. And Aaron, I also know how capable my brother is of great love and loyalty, which is no less than you deserve.”
