Page 84 of The Lyon Returns
He released the curtain and fixed her with a long look. “Our paths crossed after my return to London from Calcutta. We began spending time together and her parents made it clear they would welcome an offer from me. Things proceeded at a rapid clip, we married, and not a year later, she died.”
The flatness in his tone chilled her to the bone. “I’m so sorry, Gideon.”
He inclined his head in response, his face expressionless. “Thank you, but I assure you I have moved past the ordeal.”
She doubted that. She doubted that very much.
Gwen had no notion what to say next, and Gideon now seemeddisinclined to discuss anything at all.
After a long stretch of strained silence between them, Gwen could almost imagine the intimacy they had shared earlier had not occurred. But her body, still damp in places, still replete in a way she’d never experienced, told her it had. Part of her wished she could go back and recapture the feeling of closeness she, at least, had known in his arms.
On the other hand, the encounter had led her to reveal things she never would have under normal circumstances, and to press for confidences he obviously had no wish to share. She must remember this in future—if, indeed, they chanced to repeat the experience. She flicked a glance at Gideon. His stony expression seemed to indicate he would not be so inclined.
On the cusp of that mildly depressing thought, another, arguably more pressing matter came to mind.
“Gideon?”
He glanced at her seated beside him as if only now remembering her presence in the carriage. “Yes?”
“Have you given any thought to what will happen at the end of our pretense?”
“What do you mean?”
“Assuming you are cleared of all involvement—”
“That’s a large assumption, Gwen,” he said, his tone ever-so-slightly condescending.
She suppressed a flash of annoyance. “I know, but—”
“Are you so anxious to be rid of me?” The question, laced with haughty amusement, was really too much.
“That is not the point.”
“Madam, I am certain we shall come up with a satisfactory solution as to how best to conclude matters between us if, and when, I no longer need fear the executioner’s blade. As I recall, you also stand to benefit from our arrangement.”
“What of it?”
“Did you not tell me the sale would be finalized only after certain conditions were met, some time following your having taken over managing the establishment?”
She did have to prove herself capable of managing the business, and of turning a profit. She did not foresee a problem. “I did.”
“That will take several months, a fiscal quarter at the very least unless I am mistaken? Why go borrowing trouble until then?”
She wanted to argue further, but could see he had no intention of cooperating.
“I’m certain everything will fall into place at the appropriate time.”
“If you say so,” she muttered.
“I do.” He studied her with an assessing air. After a moment, one corner of his mouth crooked upward. “There is something that requires our immediate attention as we shall arrive to the abbey soon.”
“What is that?”
His gaze drifted over her. “Your hair.”
She drew a hand to her head and discovered her bun was hopelessly dislodged.
“Your ribbon.”
