Page 57 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
The pair walked inside and were greeted by the other ladies of society.
The countess and Vivienne were quick to approach Gemma.
“Lady Gemma, how nice it is to see you. I do hope you have been well since the opera,” Vivienne spoke with a smile.
Gemma smiled back but it did not reach her eyes.
Was Vivienne the reason that Gabriel did not want to be with Gemma?
That thought alone was enough to sour Gemma’s already fleeting good mood.
“Why I am sure she is doing well,” Lady Sagewood spoke up. “Lord Langley is courting her after all. Do tell us how that is going?”
Gemma swallowed, not liking the attention on herself.
“It is going just fine, my lady,” Gemma responded, wringing her gloved hands in front of her.
“Enough talk about gentlemen,” Felicity said, saving Gemma who she could tell was growing uncomfortable. “Let us have tea.”
The ladies all sat down on the various couches in Felicity’s drawing room as tea was served.
Everyone broke into their own small groups to discuss the popular topics of fashion, scandals, and gentlemen.
Gemma sat off in the corner by herself, not wanting to be involved in gossip as she had enough drama in her own life.
After about half an hour of sipping on her tea, Felicity came and sat next to Gemma.
“Gemma, you seem bothered today,” Felicity said.
Gemma couldn’t help but nod as a tear slipped down her cheek.
“Let’s get some air, follow me,” Felicity led Gemma out of the drawing room and down the hall to where there was a balcony that overlooked a small garden.
“What has you bothered so?” Felicity asked Gemma once they were alone. That soothing voice of her friend, one who had never held any anger towards her. The one who had helped her through the late duke’s and her parents’ deaths, shattered the last of Gemma’s control.
She broke down into tears.
Felicity held Gemma as she cried into her shoulder. She sniffled as she pulled out of Felicity’s embrace.
“I have been intimate with a man,” Gemma whispered.
Felicity let out a high-pitched gasp. “Who? When? Where?” Her voice raised up several pitches and Gemma shushed her.
“Gabriel. We kissed a few weeks ago and again the other day,” she whispered.
“While kissing alone is frowned upon, it is not the end of the world as long as no one finds out.”
Gemma nodded, knowing that, but she had been even more intimate with Gabriel.
“That is not all, we were intimate in the most physical way possible.”
Felicity frowned, not knowing what that meant.
Gemma leaned in and whispered into her ear just exactly what she and Gabriel did.
Felicity held onto her heart as if she was about to faint. “My goodness, Gemma. You have given me such a fright. You are only supposed to do that if you are married and above all not with your guardian,” Felicity scolded Gemma. Of course, this was obvious to Gemma already.
“I know, Felicity. I tried to overcome it, to walk away, but...” Gemma squeezed her friends hands.
