Page 119 of A Devious Secret

“I was so lost after Baldwin died,” Gemma said. “I could scarcely get out of bed and I had to force myself to eat.”

“That is to be expected.”

Gemma felt the familiar tears forming in her eyes and she blinked them back. “One day he was there, and the next he was gone.”

Stephen came to a stop on the path and reached for her arm. As he gently turned her to face him, he said, “You don’t have to be brave for me, Gemma.”

A tear escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I thought I had put this behind me.”

Stephen reached up and wiped the tear away. “A part of you will always mourn for Baldwin, and I would have it no other way.”

“You wouldn’t?”

He felt his face soften. “I am pleased to know that you and Baldwin loved each other so dearly. I would never want to take that away from you.”

“Henry told me that Baldwin didn’t truly love me,” Gemma said, her words ending on a sob. “If he had, he wouldn’t have given me such a worthless property.”

“He was wrong to say that.”

Tears filled Gemma’s eyes. “But what if he was right?”

Stephen placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned closer. “Do not doubt that Baldwin loved you,” he said. “You are worthy of being loved.”

Gemma nodded slowly. “I know I sound foolish…” she said, her words trailing off.

“You could never sound foolish to me.” He leaned back but he didn’t remove his hands. “I just don’t want you to give any heed to Lord Hawkinge’s words.”

“I try not to, especially when he asked for me to be his mistress.”

Stephen tensed. “Pardon?” he growled.

Gemma looked unsure. “He wanted me to return back to his country estate with him and be his mistress.”

“What did you say?”

Gemma tilted her chin. “I refused him, of course.”

Stephen removed his hands and took a step back. “This cannot go unanswered,” he said as he started walking towards the townhouse.

Gemma caught up to him and stepped in front of him. “What do you intend to do?” she asked, placing a hand on his chest.

“I have no choice but to challenge him to a duel.”

“And what if he kills you?”

Stephen chuckled. “I doubt that.”

“So you would kill him?”

The humor left his face. “What would you have me do?” he asked. “He dishonored you by asking you to be his mistress.”

Gemma removed her hand and asked, “Then shouldn’t I be the one that challenges him to a duel?”

“But you are a woman.”

Placing her hand on her hip, she said, “I can fight my own battles.”

“I never meant to imply that—”