Page 71 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
Gemma focused on the vibrant hues of the flowers, the gentle whispering of the wind through the trees. Everything reminded her of her mother’s soft laughter and her father’s warm gaze.
Each step she took was a painful reminder of what she had lost. A tear slipped down her cheek, but she realized that there was a sense of peace here. A tranquility that momentarily filled this empty ache of her recent humiliation.
While she missed her parents deeply, it felt as if they were above her watching her as she took in the flowers and plants. If she closed her eyes, it was like they were there beside her.
Gemma sank down onto a bench as she stared blankly at a cluster of roses, their beauty a stark contrast to the ugliness of the gossip that tainted her life.
Gemma feared returning to her normal life, but she knew she could not stay at the convent forever, though she felt as if they would allow her too.
Even if Gemma had fallen from grace, her heart still soared at the thoughts of Gabriel. Just picturing his perfect face and his dark hair caused her heart to stutter but then the thought of him reminded her why she was here alone. She had given him her virtue, and someone had told. She didn’t believe it was Felicity and she feared that Gabriel had let the truth slip to someone. How else could everyone have found out?
Gemma decided to stay in the gardens for a while as she shook the negative thoughts from her mind. She wanted to let the tranquility of nature heal her wounded soul before she mustered the strength to face the world again.
***
Gabriel’s mind was a whirlpool of thoughts. He was trying to piece together Gemma's whereabouts.
Where did Gemma go?
She was not with Felicity nor at the opera or museums. Gabriel was reaching blank after blank as everyone Gemma was close to was off searching for her.
His mind was a whirlwind of guilt and worry. His mind clicked through the available options as to where his Gemma could be. He was coming up with nothing. This was all his fault. Gemma ran off because he ruined her and now, she was paying the price for his impetuousness.
Gabriel knew it had to have something to do with all the gossip, but he had hoped that they would be able to handle the situation together, as they were soon to be wed and that is what married couples should do.
If he were honest, nothing that had happened between them has been handled together. He had left her time and again, confused, and heartbroken.
Gemma running away worried him sick but also reminded him just how young and naive she was. The world, while a beautiful place, could be dangerous for an unchaperoned young lady.
Where else could Gemma be?
Gabriel exhausted all possibilities when Miss Beaumont shuffled into the drawing room, her face ashen with worry.
“Miss Beaumont, any news?” Gabriel asked.
“No, Your Grace.” Miss Beaumont’s voice was laced with worry.
“I implore you to think. Remember anything that could help us locate Gemma. What did she say before departing?” Gabriel paused briefly to reign in the powerful emotions that he was experiencing.
Miss Beaumont pressed her hands against her temples, struggling to recall the events of the past evening.
“She was in a hurry, and she told me that,” Miss Beaumont gasped. “She said she needed a place of peace. But I do not know where that place could be.”
“Thank you, Miss Beaumont,” Gabriel said, dismissing her.
He had no idea what a place of peace meant as he wracked his brain with Hugh and Felicity.
“I checked all of our usual spots, but she was not there,” Felicity said.
“I have checked around town and no one has seen her either,” Hugh offered up.
“Miss Beaumont said Gemma was looking for a place of peace, what could that possibly mean?” Gabriel said aloud.
Gabriel thought and thought.
Had Gemma ever mentioned a place that gave her peace? Yes. Yes, she had. Kew Gardens. She had told him before they had been intimate. It was a place her parents had taken her and was still a fond place from her childhood. This memory sparked a sense of hope in him.
“I think I know where she might be.” Gabriel stood up startling Hugh and Felicity. “I must leave at once.”
