Page 43 of The Baron's Reluctant Bride
“That is not an option, Thorne has deep pockets, and a stronghold over the authorities.” William's arm gave a sudden, involuntary jerk, a sort of nervous habit. "He keeps demanding more. Specific details about particular gentlemen and their business affairs. And now..." He trailed off, his gaze dropping to the plush carpet.
"Now what, William?" Gemma pressed, a terrible suspicion forming in her mind.
"Now he wants information about your husband," William admitted in a rush, the words seeming to physically pain him. "About Lord Brokeshire's involvement with Hawthorne Trading Company."
The name struck Gemma like a physical blow. Of course. Her husband’s company, where he was the majority shareholder. Hawthorne Trading was the very business that had called Jameson away from breakfast, which occupied his study hours and prompted mysterious evening engagements at his "club." The connection she had been missing suddenly clicked into place with devastating clarity.
"That's why you were so eager for me to accept Lord Brokeshire's proposal," she accused, her voice hollow with disbelief. "Not out of concern for my reputation or our family's security, but because you saw an opportunity to gain access to his business affairs through me."
“Pray sister! This is most unjust of you to accuse me of something so sinister. “William exclaimed instantly, genuine distress twisting his features. Initially I had no desire for you to wed that… treacherous rake. Thorne’s inquiries regarding Brokeshire became more pointed after your betrothal was announced. Prior to that, his interest was less pronounced; there were other matters upon which he requested my… observations. But he seemed… unusually fixated on this particular match.”
Gemma sank back into her chair, her mind a whirlwind of unsettling possibilities. “And now you expect me to betray my husband’s trust to shield you from the repercussions of your own imprudence?”
“I am at my wit’s end, Gemma,” William confessed, dropping to his knees before her in a posture of supplication that, were it not for the raw desperation in his eyes, would have appeared a mere performance. “Thorne grows impatient. He has threatened to demand immediate repayment of my debts if I do not produce results swiftly. And should that occur…”
“It would signify ruin,” Gemma finished, her tone flat. “For you, and for Mama. My efforts to secure our future through this matrimony would be rendered meaningless.”
William nodded miserably. “I have created such a muddle of everything. I came to you because… because you have always possessed the wisdom to navigate such difficulties. To mend my errors.”
But this is beyond fixing, Gemma thought, a sick feeling settling in the pit of her stomach.This is not a childhood scrape or a youthful indiscretion that can be smoothed over with an apology and a promise to do better. This is betrayal on a grand scale, with consequences that extend far beyond our family.
“Is Mother aware of the severity of this? We have talked to her about it before, but is she aware of how much it has escalated since then?" she asked, already certain of the answer.
William shook his head vehemently. "Perish the thought. The shock would be the end of her. She has barely compartmentalized the shock of finding out about my grave situation from the day that your husband came to propose to you. "
Gemma closed her eyes briefly, gathering her scattered thoughts. When she opened them again, her gaze was clear and determined.
"Listen to me carefully, William," she said, her voice low and intense. "You will tell Mr. Thorne that you require more time. You will not, under any circumstances, provide him with information about Lord Brokeshire or Hawthorne Trading. And you will speak of this to no one, not your friends, not your club companions, and certainly not Mother. Do you understand?"
"But what about the debt? I require the funds." William pressed. "He won't wait forever, Gemma."
"Leave that to me," she replied, though she was unsure if she wanted to give him money. "I need time to consider our options."
And to decide whether I dare approach Jameson with this information, she added silently.Whether I can trust himenough to reveal my brother's shameful predicament without destroying whatever fragile connection has begun to form between us.
William stared at her with something approaching awe. "How can you be so calm? If you knew what Thorne was like—the cold calculation in his eyes when he speaks—"
"I am fully aware! I have seen him, and have heard the rumours around him. I am calm because one of us must be," Gemma interrupted, rising from her seat with renewed purpose. "Now, you will accompany me back to Brokeshire House for tea, because the servants have surely already informed my husband of my absence, and it would help smoothen rumors if you came back with me. You will smile and make pleasant conversation with my mother-in-law. And you will give me your word as a gentleman—as Father's son that you will keep me updated with your life. I do not wish to find out about things after they have commenced.”
William scrambled to his feet, hope dawning in his eyes for the first time since his arrival. "You have it, Gem. Whatever you say."
As she watched her brother hurry to make himself presentable, straightening his cravat and attempting to tame his disheveled hair, Gemma felt the weight of responsibility settle even more heavily upon her shoulders.
How ironic, she thought with grim humor as she donned her gloves and pelisse.I entered this matrimony hoping to secure my family's future, only to discover that the greatest threat to that future might be my own blood. And now I must decide where my loyalty truly lies—with the brother who has been my companion since childhood, or the husband whose secrets I am only beginning to uncover.
The question haunted her as she and William departed for Brokeshire House, neither of them noticing the nondescriptfigure watching from across the street, who turned and disappeared into the afternoon crowd as soon as their carriage pulled away from the curb.
