A delighted smile covered Melmont’s face.
Great. That bit of gossip would be making the rounds soon enough…that Lucian was so enraged by Pembroke that he refused to hear his name.
Only it was true. So be it.
Honestly, hearing Pembroke’s name made Lucian want to punch his fist through the nearest wall. Instead, he forced himself to smile and nod and thank Melmont and the other men he’d spoken to for the information they’d provided.
Lucian was convinced Gemma hadn’t been unfaithful. Now he needed to discover exactly what she had been doing that night in Southbury’s study.
And he knew precisely who to ask.
Lucian excused himself, took his drink, and made his way to the next room to find Gemma’s older brother.
“Grovemont!” Southbury exclaimed the moment he saw him. “I heard you’d returned.” His brother-in-law stood and clapped him on the back, splaying his hand toward the seat next to him. “Please sit.”
Lucian lowered himself into a leather chair while Southbury ordered a drink from one of the footmen.
“How was your travel?” Southbury said after they were both settled in.
“Long,” Lucian grumbled.
Southbury shook his head. “I don’t know how you managed it. I wouldn’t be able to stand being away from Meredith for that length of time.”
Lucian allowed his silence to speak for itself. He and Gemma clearly didn’t have a love match. But at least Southbury had introduced the topic Lucian wanted to discuss. Specifically, he wanted to know if Southbury was aware of Gemma’s ludicrous desire for a divorce. Surely, he wouldn’t approve. But Lucian had to handle the inquiry carefully on the assumption Southbury didn’t know.
Lucian scratched his chin in the most nonchalant way possible. “Have you spoken to your sister?”
Southbury nodded. “I saw Gemma not two nights ago, actually.”
Lucian lifted his brows and crossed his right boot atop his left knee. “Did she mention any plans?”
“Plans?” Southbury frowned. “No. What plans?”
Interesting. Apparently, Gemma hadn’t mentioned her desire for a divorce to her brother. No doubt he’d say so if he knew. Was she biding her time? Was she intentionally keeping her desire for a divorce from her brother? Or was the entire claim a ruse? One meant to manipulate Lucian.
Regardless, Lucian wasn’t about to share the secrets of his marriage with his brother-in-law. “She didn’t mention anything to you?” he asked vaguely, tugging at the leg of his breeches.
Southbury scrubbed his chin and leaned a bit closer. “I hate to put my nose somewhere it does not belong, but…I do think she’s been quite unhappy about your absence.”
Lucian’s brows shot up once more. “Funny. I get the impression that sheenjoyedmy absence.”
Southbury shrugged. “The few times I’ve asked her about it, she’s mentioned that you never wrote to her.”
Lucian expelled a long breath. He might as well admit to that mistake. “It’s true.”
Southbury’s countenance became sharp, his voice serious. “I’ll be honest with you, Grovemont. I’ve worried a time or two whether she’s happy in the marriage. Especially given the circumstances of how you two became betrothed.”
Ah, there it was, the opening he needed. Lucian lifted his glass to his lips as he considered the most effective reply. “Gemma is the one who wanted the marriage,” he finally said.
Southbury’s brows drew together into a sharp frown. “That’s not true.”
Lucian cocked his head. “Of course, it is. She and her friend planned it.”
Southbury gave him a look that clearly indicated he thought Lucian had lost his mind. “What? No. Gemma was trying to get Lady Mary Costner to leave the other girls alone that night.”
Gemma’s words from last night played through Lucian’s head. “I was trying tohelp my friendsthat night by convincing Lady Mary to leave them alone.” Then she’d gone on with something about a dare and a dance, but none of it had truly made any sense. “I know that’s what she said, but?—”
“That’s whathappened.” Southbury’s voice took on a low, warning tone. “Meredith and I had both witnessed Lady Mary’santics before. She’d threatened all the debutantes with dire consequences if they didn’t stay away from you.”
