Page 23 of From Rakes to Riches

Gemma’s face heated, and she prayed the shadows of the carriage hid her flush. Sonia’s lips twitched mightily before she turned her head to look out the window.

Not until they were safely at home in Grosvenor Square and unpacking was Gemma able to corner Sonia. She charged into Sonia’s bedchamber, asked the startled maid to go help Aunt Margot, and took over tidying Sonia’s gowns.

“I did not realize you’d suddenly found a penchant for riding.” Gemma folded a linen fichu with jerky movements.

“Oh, I fancied a canter. Good thing for you I did, was it not?” Sonia’s eyes twinkled, she not in the least upset that she’d found Gemma in Guy’s arms.

“Need I beg you to keep silent?” Gemma tossed the folded fichu on top of an unfolded one and snatched up a pair of stockings. “Though I realize that if you had wished to betray me, you already would have done so.”

“Never.” Sonia made a locking motion over her lips. “Do you love him?”

The stockings became knotted under Gemma’s agitated fingers. She abandoned them and sank to the bench at the foot of the bed. “My dear, I have given up such things.”

“But you mustn’t.” Sonia quickly sat beside her and took Gemma’s cold hands in her warm ones. “I saw you when you played the pianoforte with Lord Guy, and the night before that when you danced with him at Lady Whitwell’s ball. You sparkled. I have not seen that sparkle in you since my father died.”

Gemma swallowed. “I’ve fancied myself in love before, remember? With Mr. Cooke. It was a disaster.”

“You were young and reeling from losing my father. That was different.”

“Was it?” Gemma blinked her stinging eyes. “Are there degrees of difference in being foolish over a gentleman?”

Sonia squeezed her hands, her voice gentling. “Of course, it is different. You were starving for comfort after my father died, and you were defiant toward all warnings against Mr. Cooke. Now you are resisting your true feelings for a fine man. Even Tristan likes Lord Guy.”

“Tristan was won over with horseracing and the promise of good port,” Gemma said disparagingly.

“Why should the Duke of Ashford and Lord Guy extend such bounty to Tristan? So you will admire them? Or because they are simply generous?”

Because Helena had likely put them up to it. But Sonia had a point. The Duke of Ashford was his own man and wouldn’t invite Tristan to his box at racing meets simply because his wife nagged him.

“Tristan is not a bad fellow,” Gemma admitted. “Once you get to know him.”

“Exactly. They liked him and offered. Neither the duke nor Lord Guy show any snobbery that Tristan is not of the peerage.”

Gemma sighed. “This is a pointless conversation.”

She tried to withdraw her hands, but Sonia would not release them.

“It is not. Lord Guy is a good man. Even Aunt Margot, the stickler, respects him. Why not let yourself love him?”

Gemma relaxed under Sonia’s grip. “My darling Sonia, you were still a child when I fell for Mr. Cooke. I was as silly then as I am being now. I have no wish to make another mistake. Nor do I want to leave you again.”

“Nonsense. I was not so much a child that I did not understand why you married Mr. Cooke. And you will not be leaving me. You and Lord Guy will have a lovely big house, and I and Aunt Margot will stay with you quite often. I heard that Lord Guy has decided to purchase the duke’s house—the one wejust visited. It is not part of the duke’s entail but something he acquired a few years ago.”

Gemma had not known about this, but she had noticed Guy and Ash wandering the halls of the house, examining walls, studying the ceilings.

“Sonia, darling.” Gemma’s cheeks warmed. “I hesitate to speak of something so untoward, but it is possible that Lord Guy does not have marriage to me in mind.”

“Anaffaire de coeur, you mean?” Sonia’s cheeks dimpled. “What would be the harm if so? You are both unattached and not innocent babes.”

Gemma regarded her in shock.“Sonia.”

“Do not be surprised, dear Stepmama. I am hardly the foolish young thing most people believe I am. I saw how passionately you kissed Lord Guy. You could be very happy as his mistress. None would blame you.”

“Except me.” Gemma straightened her back, snapping out of her amazement. “Any more scandal from me would ruin your chances. I’ll not have that. I want you to be happy, so happy you walk on clouds,” she finished adamantly.

Sonia regarded her in puzzlement, and then her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Gemma. You are so very dear to me.”

She threw her arms around Gemma, and Gemma gathered Sonia close, her heart full.

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