Page 106 of The Lyon Returns
He gazed up at the plaster tiled ceiling as if seeking words. Finally he met her eyes. “You must trust me. We shall discuss everything once we are safely ensconced in our carriage and heading home.”
“But—”
“No buts. I have everything in hand.” He held her gaze, and Gwen had the odd sense she was being tested.
“I do trust you, Gideon. Surely you know that by now.”
A smile flickered over his face. “Are you able to return to the terrace now or do you need time to gather yourself?”
She felt better, she realized. It seemed Gideon always knew how to assuage her worries. She sent him a grateful smile. “I am able to return. Thank you, Gideon.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
By five o’clockthat evening, all of the guests had departed Averly Abbey for their respective homes, with the exception of the Tyrells, Gideon, and Gwen.
After making a quick change into travel clothes, Gideon left Gwen to change out of her formal attire—her wedding gown, he supposed was a more apt description. Much as the prospect of witnessing her undressing appealed to him, he did not want to find himself cornered by her, and forced to answer questions he’d rather put off.
Upon reaching the ground floor, one of the footmen delivered a missive to Gideon which had arrived for him via courier within the last hour. A quick glance told him it came from the runner he’d tasked with locating Dirk and his family.
Thumbing off the wafer that sealed the parchment, he headed for the den to await Gwen and read the short note. “I’ll be damned,” he muttered to himself. Gwen’s suggestion had born fruit.
“What do you have there?” Grayson asked from the open doorway and strode into the den.
One too many quips about Dirk having obviously fleeced all of them disinclined Gideon to be forthcoming about his search for theman. He refolded the sheet and tucked it into his waistcoat. “Business correspondence.”
“Ah,” Grayson said. He moved closer, hands linked behind his back. “Listen, Gid, I’ve been wanting to talk with you alone and haven’t had an opportunity ’til now.”
“Oh?”
His brother smiled at him, looking so much like the boy who’d trailed after him in their youth, that he couldn’t help the answering grin that curved his mouth.
“I wanted to thank you for what you said to our father. Evidently, he took your suggestion to heart. Come Monday, we’ll meet with his solicitor to discuss which properties I’m to manage henceforth.”
“I’m glad. You deserve a chance.”
Grayson opened his mouth as if he meant to go on, but the butler poked his graying head into the den. “Pardon me, gentlemen, but Mrs. Devereux awaits you in the foyer, and the duke and duchess and the Tyrells have all convened in the courtyard. Mr. Tyrell asked if I’d let you know he wanted a word with Mr. Devereux before departing.”
When Grayson, Gideon,and Gwen exited the abbey, they found both the Tyrells’ carriage and Gideon’s travel coach ready and waiting in the courtyard, luggage loaded, grooms at attention. Brice’s father and wife had apparently already boarded their carriage, and Brice chatted amiably with Gideon’s father and Lady Ashwood.
“Too soon the weekend comes to an end,” the duke said.
“Thank you for an eventful and entertaining weekend, sir, my lady,” Gideon said.
The duchess inclined her head and extended her hand towardGrayson who went dutifully to her side. “Safe travels, Gideon, Mrs. Devereux, Brice.”
Gwen murmured her thanks as Brice bent over the duchess’s hand.
After he straightened, he eyed Gideon. “A moment?”
“Allow me to see your beautiful bride aboard your coach, Gideon,” the duke said, and took Gwen’s arm, leading her away.
After a speaking look from Brice, Grayson escorted the duchess inside, leaving Gideon and Brice alone.
“I spoke to Sir Phillip before he left. He assured me the investigation into your involvement in the stolen rifles would be closed summarily.”
“Excellent,” Gideon said.
“The insurance claim will be paid out soon as a result, no doubt.”
