Page 19 of The Lyon and His Promise
“Lord Wickes,” Josephine murmured.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Bouchard,” Gyles returned with a smile that would melt any woman’s heart.
She did her best not to look at the man but what other choice did she have, especially when Cassandra excused herself?
Josephine went to the small table and chairs and sat in Cassandra’s seat while Gyles took a place across from her. “What brings you here of all places?” she finally had the nerve to ask. But before he could answer, the tea arrived. Josephine poured him a cup and offered him a cake which he declined. Once they were alone again, she waited for his reply.
“Isn’t it obvious?” he asked before taking a sip of his tea and setting the cup back down on the table before them.
She raised her brow at his comment. “I thought I made my point perfectly clear several weeks ago. I should think my words held some merit when I explained why we cannot be seen together.”
“Your words always hold merit, Josephine,” he said. Hearing her given name pass his lips was almost her undoing. “However, you never gave me the chance to reply.”
She shrugged. “What more could you say? My past cannot be changed, and my reputation is…tarnishedto put it as delicately as possible. You will inherit a duchy one day. Having me as a possible wife or even having my name tied to yours if you are seen to be escorting me around town will damage your good name. I won’t do that to you, Gyles.”
“While I do have to think about my reputation, my main concern is to restore yours.” He placed his hand on the table with his palm facing up. All she had to do was reach for the support that awaited her.
“Then you’ve spoken to my brother,” she said instead and watch him move his hand back as though rejected.
“Not yet.”
She gave a heavy sigh. If she didn’t have her brother’s backing, or at the very least his consent, then none of this would be possible. She stood and Gyles did the same. “Then I believe you need to start with Simon, my lord, since you had a previous promise that you made to him. If you can get his blessing and he agrees to ensure that he will do all in his power to help restore my good name, then maybe we can move forward together.”
He came to her and took hold of her hand, bringing it to his lips. “You give me hope that maybe one day when we’ve become reacquainted again that we might have a future together.”
“Only if you get my brother’s backing. I don’t know any way this would work without it,” she whispered softly. She held her breath when he stepped closer. Leaning down, he placed his lips upon her own in a gentle first kiss.
It took every ounce of strength that Josephine had within her not to fold herself into his arms. But this was hardly the time or the place for any intimate moments to play out. It wasn’t as though she were a virgin, but they still needed her brother to help them restore her reputation within Society. If Simon accepted her back within the family, this action would go a long way to restore her place within theton… or so she reasoned. She almost groaned aloud thinking of the rounds of balls and being on display it would take for this to work.
“I will call upon you again soon,” Gyles said and with another quick kiss upon her cheek, he left her standing there until she once more fell into a chair. Her heart was never going to be the same if this failed. She couldn’t stand to lose Gyles twice in one lifetime!
Chapter Fifteen
It had takenanother week before Gyles was able to make Simon agree to a meeting and even then, it had been done reluctantly. Why? Gyles thought Simon was eager to find his sister so why all the delays? He had walked over to Simon’s townhouse since the distance wasn’t far and it was a fine sunny day. He had taken the sunshine as a good omen. But now, as Gyles watched Simon pace his study after having told him the news that Josephine had been found, his optimism wavered. He wasn’t certain why the man looked so uncomfortable.
“I know we haven’t been close for many years, Simon, but what is going on that you’re not telling me?” Gyles finally asked when Simon stopped his moving back and forth across the rug.
“Nothing is wrong,” Simon remarked going to a sideboard and pouring himself a stiff drink. He downed the contents before partaking of another. He turned with glass in hand with a silent question if Gyles wanted a drink, but he had no intention of having his wits addled with liquor.
“You’re lying and I want to know why,” Gyles growled out. “You wanted Josephine found and I have done so but you don’t seem too pleased about the notion of the part you must play to restore herreputation.”
A frown marred his friend’s brow while a look of disgust flashed briefly across his features. He quickly masked his mistake but not before Gyles could see for himself the truth of the matter. “What the bloody hell is going on, Simon?”
“It’s that damn bitch at the Lyon’s Den!” Simon bellowed.
Gyles narrowed his eyes and the reality of the situation hit him. His suspicions about what was behind Simon’s sudden desire to find his sister came to light. “You made a deal with Mrs. Dove-Lyon.”
A growl of frustration left Simon’s lips. “As though I had any choice in the matter.”
“You can’t blame the owner of the Lyon’s Den for your own mistake of losing at her tables. You know the odds, especially at that particular gambling establishment, is always stacked with the house. How much do you owe her?” Gyles asked. Such a question was the only explanation that would make any sense.
Simon resumed his pacing until he finally halted his progress and slumped down into his chair at the desk. He ran a hand through his black hair before he raised tormented eyes to Gyles. “Enough that I’d be ruined if I didn’t agree to her demands.”
“You borrowed money from the Lyon’s Den?” Gyles asked with wide eyes. Many a man had lost their fortunes from such a mistake. He would have thought Simon would be wise enough not to fall into that trap.
“Yes. I was feeling lucky enough that I was sure to win,” Simon declared wiping his brow.
“Only a fool would take a loan from the very place you were gambling at. The interest in repaying such a loan could wipe out your entire fortune.”
