Page 15 of Mine This Winter
Gwen met Simon’s gaze in the muted light. She didn’t know this hard, rugged version of the man she loved. She didn’t know if the wild stories about him were true. But she knew he would never abuse a servant.
“Oliver, you’re an intelligent man. Did you not consider the fact Mrs Samuel had lied? By all accounts, she manipulated everyone in the household.”
Oliver couldn’t look her in the eye. “It was complicated.”
“He was sleeping with her,” Simon said, snarling with contempt. “She probably threatened to tell your father unless he did her bidding.”
Gwen blinked in shock.
But Oliver was so … so upstanding.
“Is it true?” She couldn’t quite believe it.
Her brother’s shoulders sagged.
“Oliver! Is it true?”
“Yes, it’s true.”
Gwen fought back tears. “True that Mrs Samuel was your mistress or that you ruined my life to prevent Father from discovering your sordid secret?”
“Both.” His face twisted in discomfort. His tone was heavy with regret. “I had to pay to get rid of her. I had a contract drawn up and gave her money. She’s not permitted to come within five miles of the property, or she will forfeit all rights to the money.”
Gwen staggered back. “But I—I trusted you.”
All these years, Oliver had said nothing. He’d seen her distraught. Sick with heartache. He’d offered guidance. Yet he’d let her believe a lie.
Dazed, she looked at Simon. “Did you come back because you suspected treachery? Is it vengeance you seek, sir?”
Guilt passed over his handsome features. “You must understand, my work is confidential. No one must know I’m here on the King’s orders.”
The King?
“What poppycock!”
“It’s true, Gwendolyn.”
She pointed at her brother. “Does Oliver know?”
“As a peer of the realm, he has a duty to protect the Crown.”
“And yet you both let me wallow in ignorance. Neither of you trusted me enough with the truth. You let me hope?—”
A rush of emotion choked her throat. Tears slipped down her cheeks, but she couldn’t dash them away quickly enough.
She couldn’t breathe.
She needed air.
She needed to be far away from this den of deceivers.
“Many people’s lives are at risk,” Simon said, desperate to offer an excuse. “I cannot neglect my duty, Gwendolyn.”
Oliver was about to slip out of bed but remembered he was naked and uttered a curse. “I don’t want him here any more than you do, but I had no choice.”
Gwen jerked, the words revealing the crux of the problem. Oliver didn’t believe in love. He couldn’t see the damage he’d caused. He thought her anger stemmed from his dishonesty, not because she had lost the love of her life.
She wanted to run as far away as her legs would carry her, but to waylay suspicion, she said, “I’m going to bed. I cannot think. We’ll talk in the morning.”
