Page 30 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
Gemma.
Gemma Whitmore.
Lady Gemma Whitmore.
That was all that was going through Gabriel’s mind.
Gemma and her beauty. Gemma and her purity. Gemma and her kind soul. Gabriel felt as though he were going slightly mad.
Gabriel reminisced on their dance and how it felt to have her in his arms. He indulged in his fantasy, enjoying it immensely.
It was as if their souls were connected when they danced and gazed into each other's eyes. He had allowed himself to fully embrace that moment with Gemma without guilt. The soiree had turned into quite a different sort of evening, after all.
Gabriel paced his study as he tried to get his thoughts in order.
He had been overcome with rage at the sight of Alastair kissing Gemma’s hand, which meant that he was jealous. A jealous man, indeed.
It was becoming clear that Gabriel was developing feelings for Gemma. He had felt something once for a woman, who had lied and betrayed him. However, what he had felt for her was nothing like what he felt for Gemma. He did not quite understand these feelings for Gemma. She was becoming a need so strong he was becoming unable to resist her.
He realized at that moment that all he wanted to do was spend time with Gemma and the treasure hunt was the perfect way for them to bond together. That was it. He would return to aiding Gemma in solving the treasure hunt riddle.
Gabriel sought Gemma out to propose they resume their search as his father had requested. As luck would have it, he came upon her in the dining hall, having her meal.
“Gemma, I have been looking for you,” Gabriel said as he took a seat across from her.
Gemma looked up from her empty plate. “Whatever for?”
“I was hoping we could follow the next clue and see what treasure awaits us.”
Gemma seemed hesitant but agreed. “That would be lovely.” Her face indicated that she was unsure if she could trust him, however.
She pulled out the last clue, which she’d taken to carrying with her, and read it aloud. “Corners hold more than just dust, and finding art is a must.” Her laughter echoed in the room. “Oh, your father had such a way with words.”
Gabriel had no idea what this clue meant, and it seemed Gemma was in the same frame of mind as she looked terribly perplexed.
“Where do you think we should start looking?” Gemma asked Gabriel.
He shrugged. “Corners of the estate that aren’t often occupied.”
They both agreed and made their way around the estate.
The first corner they came to had plenty of dust but there were no clues to be found. The next corner landed them in the antiquated wing of the manor.
The wing looked as if no one had been down there in years.
There was dust along a door frame that was near the corner, so the pair opened the door and went inside.
The room was dark, and Gemma luckily brought a candle with them, so they were bathed in candlelight.
It looked as if they were in a storage room that had seen better days.
“I do not know if this is where we are supposed to be,” Gabriel said, reaching for the doorknob.
He found that the doorknob would not turn.
They were unwittingly locked in the storage room.
Gabriel’s armpits started to perspire at the thought of being locked in a room, but he was quickly pulled from his thoughts at Gemma’s gasp.
