Page 22 of The Lyon and His Promise
Oh, God. There was more…She let go and the brief bit of hope for a new beginning left her once more with doubts. “You might as well spit it out and let’s have the rest of this conversation over with.”
Simon sat back in his chair once more. “Are you currently physically involved with anyone?”
“That is blunt and to the point,” she said pressing her lips firmly together.
“It’s an honest question if we are to proceed with attempting to get your reputation restored.”
“No. I am not in any sort of an illicit affair with anyone nor am I currently some married man’s mistress,” she answered clasping her hands together.
“It’s been rumored you’re a part of the Wicked Widow’s Club,” Simon suggested.
“If you want to believe what that gossip rag theTeatime Tattlerhas written, then yes… I suppose I am. But that doesn’t mean such tittle-tattle offers proof of my current reputation or whom I might or might not be involved with.”
“I suppose not,” he admitted raking his hand through his hair before continuing his inquisition. “And what about Wickes? Are the two of you… intimate?”
She came to her feet. “Not that it is any of your business, but Gyles has been a perfect gentleman!”
“Do sit down, Josephine. I was just ensuring he was behaving properly,” Simon declared chuckling.
“Of course, he is behaving himself. I should think you would know that,” she chided her brother.
“Gyles and I have been absent from each other’s lives since the day you ran away. We are only beginning to renew our friendship just as you and I are mending our past. For this all to work, I will expect you to be careful with whom you associate yourself.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” she asked dreading what was to come next.
“Since I am still a bachelor, I can hardly have you living under my roof without a respectable lady companion. Nor can you continue toreside at Mrs. Vaughn’s considering she, too, has a past that is… questionable.”
“Then where do you suggest I live?”
He gave a heavy sigh as though his life, too, was about to dramatically change. “You’ll live here with me.”
“But you just said—”
He held up his hand to halt any further protests. “I have Mrs. Jane Crompton waiting in the dining room to join us for a luncheon. She came highly recommended and was only too happy to take the job as the last young lady she chaperoned recently wed. Mrs. Crompton will move in here as well. She will accompany you whenever you go out to ensure all is in order and no further gossip can be associated with your name,” Simon said with a confidence that he had, indeed, thought of everything.
“What if I don’t get along with Mrs. Crompton?” she asked, uncomfortable with the thought that her whole life was being controlled by someone else. In a way, her brother was finally doing what he should have done years ago. She wasn’t sure she was entirely happy about it but what else could she do?
Simon gave her a small smile. “If I can sacrifice my peace and quiet to open up my home to a pair of ladies, I am certain you can do your part to be agreeable to a chaperone. I think you will be pleased with the arrangements I have made for you thus far, including having your old bedroom aired out. With the Hampton event in several days, we can all attend the event together and make a grand entrance.”
“What about Gyles? Won’t he be joining us?”
“He’ll meet us there. I think it would be best if people saw you arriving with me. That way, they’ll know you have my blessing. We are family, after all.”
“You’ve thought of everything,” she whispered.
Simon nodded and came to stand before her. He took her hands and pulled her to her feet. “It still won’t be easy, Josephine, but I knowwe can do this if we stick together. It’s way past time that you take your rightful place within the family and return to where you always belonged.”
He pulled her into his embrace and a sob escaped her to feel her brother’s arms around her again. She barely heard the door opening before a familiar voice was heard in the room.
“Is everything okay in here?” Gyles asked as he came to stand before the siblings.
“Everything is fine, my lord,” Josephine said with a smile as she gazed lovingly into Gyles’s eyes.
Simon cleared his. “Let’s adjourn to the dining room. I’ve had Cook prepare a luncheon especially for my little sister.”
Her brother offered her his arm and she gladly rested her fingertips in the crook of his elbow as he began escorting her from the room. Introductions were made with Mrs. Crompton who appeared happy to have another lady to take under her wing. The rest of the afternoon was a delight as she spent the time with two men who would soon shape her future.
Chapter Seventeen
