Page 16 of The Lyon Returns
“They did, yes, but no, that’s not thesomethingto which I refer.” He gave Grayson a steady look and waited for the reaction.
“By God, no,” he burst out. “Never say you married that—”
“Watch it,” Gideon cut in, his voice like a whip crack. In truth, the ferocity that welled up inside him when his brother started to wield whatever slur he’d intended for Mrs. Gwendolyn Barnes surprised Gideon as much as it seemed to shock Grayson, by the look on his brother’s face.
Just playing a role, he assured himself. He must be convincing. If the ruse backfired, he did not want his brother suffering any fallout.
Never bring scandal down on your father or brother.The duchess’s oft-spoken words echoed in his head.They deserve far better from you after all they have sacrificed on your behalf.
Grayson seemed to draw into himself. Speaking of roles, Grayson could play the wounded younger brother to perfection.
“So it’s true. Youaremarried. I admit I doubted her claim, but that is only because of how you’ve been since losing Fannie and the babe.”
Gideon nearly stopped breathing as the old anger rose up within him. His brother dared utter the subject, and in such a casual manner, no less? “People change,” he said and sent Grayson a chilly smile.
Confusion clouded his brother’s expression, as if he didn’t understand the gaping rift between them. He bloody well did. He simply was not man enough to own up to what he’d done, nor to utter an apology, nor even a thank you.
It was a long time ago, Gideon told himself. Time enough forGrayson to make amends. If he hadn’t by now, he never would. But he could stop with the injured party act. Gideon was bored with the interchange.
“My wife tells me you’ve visited her on multiple occasions and that you were not particularly welcoming.”
“I thought…Look, Gid, what was I to think? For years now, you’ve given every indication marriage is off the table for you. You’ve no time for marriage-minded women, preferring to keep the company with only those you deem safe—”
“Safe? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Grayson, to his credit, did not back down. “Attractive widows come to mind. Those just shy ofdemimondestatus. Definitely no one of the aristocracy, which your wife certainly is.
“One woman in particular held the coveted title of mistress totheGideon Devereux for the last year and some months you resided in London. Mrs. Emily Trent, I believe? A woman who fit the bill nicely. The non-clingy type. You hate those. A woman who’d married up, and who exercises discretion, aside from her tendency to boast to the other ladies who failed to catch your fancy.”
“Shewhat?” That had to be wrong.
Grayson nodded. “Ask Brice. He’s who told me.”
Of course. Brice, their childhood friend, and the one who’d pushed Gideon to form the consortium that landed him in this mess, had a knack for stirring up drama.
“This is absurd,” Gideon muttered before ingesting a large swallow of brandy and welcoming the burn.
“Why would I not assume you did not wish to marry again?”
In truth, he didn’t wish to, but he could hardly admit that now, seeing as he was claiming to have done just that.
His father had always told himMarry for love, Gideon. Unlike your brother and me, you don’t have the title to hold you back. You don’t need to deal with these blue-blood sycophants. Cast your net wide, son.
But as far as Gideon could tell, there was no such thing as love.There was lust, certainly, which was often confused with the sentiment and faded with the season.
Then there was what a woman could use a man for, be it prestige, or money, or safety. Then there were those women who acted as if Gideon should be grateful they deigned to bestow their favors on a man such as him. The English roses, like Fannie. She’d certainly rued the day the two of them wed, and hadn’t minded telling him. It hadn’t stopped her from enjoying sharing his bed.
Now, he pictured his bluestocking fake wife, with her creamy complexion and flaxen hair, her eloquent manner of speaking and lithe form. He’d known she hailed from a noble line before she’d even mentioned her father’s titled brother.
The duchess’s words, words he had not contemplated since before his marriage, played in his mind as clear and articulate as if she stood beside him and spoke them now.Women such as Fannie are not for you.
“Enough,” he gritted out, but whether he meant the words for Grayson, or the phantom in his head, he couldn’t say.
“Fine. I’ll just add, if you’ve truly recovered from…before, I am more gratified by the knowledge than you can possibly comprehend.”
Gideon sipped his brandy. “I’m sure you are.”
Grayson frowned, but he did not ask Gideon to explain his comment. “My congratulations, Gideon. I wish you nothing but happiness.”
