Page 579 of From Rakes to Riches

“Growing up, I didn’t understand her choice, either, until I realized it wasn’t a choice.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“Bolton shaped her world. He shaped all our worlds.” Gemma spoke words and ideas aloud that had never been given voice. “We existed to be in service to him. There were no thoughts or dreams beyond him. He knew of the affinity Liam and I had toward horses, so he planned that Liam would someday manage the stables.”

“It does sound reasonable for an illegitimate son.”

“It does,” said Gemma. “I know it does.”

“And he knows that, doesn’t he,” said Rake.

Here was understanding that made the burden lighter. “Then Mam got sick. At first, she was tired. Then she started coughing and was hardly able to get out of bed. This went on for a year.”

“And Bolton?” asked Rake. “I can’t imagine he took it well.”

“The further Mam declined, the more controlling he became. Before Mam’s sickness, Liam and I had already discussed a plan to leave. But once we realized she wouldn’t be recovering, we stayed. And then—” A sudden sob took Gemma’s remaining words.

Rake unhooked his ankle from his thigh and crossed the distance between them, settling beside her on the bed and taking her hand. This man…so impressive and capable and…tender. She might be the only person on Earth who knew this about him.

“She passed away,” he said for her.

The sob receded. “Bolton became unpredictable. One moment, he was almost affectionate, and the next he couldn’t stand the sight of our faces because we reminded him of his lost Maeve. So…”

“You and Liam left.”

Gemma nodded. “First to Chester, then to Manchester, but those cities were too small.”

“He pursued you?”

“Strange men would appear and follow us around, hanging about, making sure we saw them.”

“Men hired by Bolton.”

“We believed so.”

“He was letting you know he still held all the power, and he would use it in his own time.”

“Until we made the journey to London.”

“A city big enough to get lost in.”

“We didn’t stay in one lodging for more than a few months, bouncing around from stable to stable.”

Rake cocked his head. “How long have you been living this way?”

“More than a year now.”

“You can’t run forever.”

“No.”

And here was where Gemma knew the story must end. She and Liam couldn’t run forever—which was why they’d accepted Deverill’s offer.

Which was why she was betraying the tender, impressive man sitting beside her.

“I still don’t understand it,” said Rake.

Gemma braced herself. Here was where she would have to start lying again.

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