Page 140 of The Lyon Returns
“Brice came up with the idea to have your shipments appear shorted—onlyappear.He said he knew someone who could make that happen.”
The customs official, of course. The one who was now dead thanks to Gideon mentioning his intention to question the man.
Suddenly, everything clicked into place. Brice had seized the opportunity presented through Gideon’s manufactured absence, to commit treason and make the score of his lifetime. Even better, was his plan to use Dirk to do his dirty work and set up Gideon to take the fall, even leaking rumors attesting to Gideon’s guilt.
“Did you know about the treason he committed and laid at my feet? That certainly would have worked to keep me away if not for my marriage. Bravo, madam.”
“Dear God, Gideon. You think Brice sold those rifles to the French? Mother, how could you lower yourself to commit such evil?”
She gazed at Grayson, wide-eyed. “I knew nothing of treason, I swear it. I admit, when your father shared the rumor concerning Gideon’s supposed involvement, I wondered if Brice could have possibly orchestrated such a heinous act…but I thought, no, he would not do such a thing. I knew, of course, you would never commit treason, Gideon. You are far too noble. A trait of your father’s you and Grayson both inherited.”
“At least you give him credit there, Mother,” Grayson muttered.
She met Gideon’s eye for the first time. “I would never embroil my family in such a dastardly scheme, never betray my country like that. But I admit I never outright asked Brice if he was involved. I was caught, you see. Whether or not he had sold those rifles to the French and framed you, what could I do about it after seeking his help in drawing you away?”
“And yet, you doubled down, did you not?” Gideon asked, his voice lethally soft. “When I returned, despite your best efforts, you demanded Brice wreck my wife’s chance to own her publishing house. I suppose you hoped to drive both of us from England?”
She shook her head in vehement denial. “I never suggested such a thing. He mentioned something to me, only once, about seeing to the problem of your return. But I saw the way your father lit up at the news of your homecoming. I witnessed your brother’s joy at having his elder brother back. And then you stood up to Ashwood on Grayson’s behalf, and I thought, enough. So I told Brice to let sleeping dogs lie. I can only assume he did not heed my words, perhaps in a misguided effort to protect me.”
“Protect you?” Grayson scoffed. “Bah. He was protecting himselfall along. Remember? Fannie’s child was not mine. One guess who the father was.”
Her face went utterly blank as she digested Grayson’s words and, evidently agreed with his reasoning.
Grayson looked at Gideon. “We cannot let this stand—any of it. Brice must pay for what he’s done, the lying, treasonous, greedy bastard. He’ll hang if I have anything to say about it.” He directed his next words to his mother. “And I do not care if nailing him embroils all of us neck-deep in scandal. Now kindly take yourself off, Mother. I wish to speak with Gideon in private.”
She rose, a bit unsteadily, and eyed Gideon. “You understand, do you not? Why I did what I did?”
“Enough,” Grayson shouted, loud enough to blow the books off the shelves. “Gideon, would you ever have treated a child in your home, Fannie’s child, for instance, as she did you?”
Gideon considered evading the answer for his stepmother’s sake, then decided he’d done enough of that for a lifetime. He shook his head.
“You never deserved her disdain. Tell him, Mother. Be honest with yourself for once.”
She gave Gideon a sad little smile. “Perhaps not. But I did the best I could.”
Damn his own eyes. He felt for the woman. Shehaddone the best she could. “I know.”
A weight lifted off Gideon’s shoulders, one he had carried so long he had not realized its existence until its absence.
He hadnotdeserved her disdain. He was not merely a plaything for the women of theton,and never had been regardless of who thought so. More importantly, it did not matter what anyone thought of him—save for his father, his brother, and most importantly of all, Gwen, the woman he loved.
For he did love her, beyond reason, beyond measure.
He wished he had told her before he left, half-cocked, earlier. He would confess all when he returned home—and beg her forgiveness. Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to go to her.
No, it was more than that. He needed to, with an unfathomable urgency. He tried to reason with himself. It was not as if she meant to begin her world tour tonight.
“You truly are your father’s son, Gideon. Your wife, Gwen, is lucky to have such a man at her side. You may not believe this after everything, but I am sorry.” She glanced between Grayson and Gideon, then, head held high, quit the room, closing the door softly behind her.
Grayson stared at the closed door. “I do not believe I have ever heard those words come from her mouth. I could use a drink while we discuss what’s next. You?”
“Yes,” Gideon said. “Never more so. Unfortunately, I must decline.”
“Oh.” Grayson’s disappointment was palpable. “You do mean to include me in the operation?”
He sent his brother a reassuring grin. “Of course. You, and our father. We shall present everything we know to the Home Office. Tomorrow will suffice. Tonight I must see to something of even greater importance.”
Grayson looked taken aback. “What could that be?”
