Page 74 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
What she thought was an unlucky accident was actually a calculated murder? Her parents were murdered.
Gemma shook her head in disbelief. Someone she had known her whole life had taken her parents away from her, but why?
The news was a lot for Gemma to process as she started to cry.
“I am here for you and will be while the constable continues to investigate the matter,” Gabriel urged.
“Thank you for that, Gabriel,” Gemma responded. “But I think I need some time alone.”
With that, Gemma exited the study and made her way to her bed chamber where she laid down on her bed and stared up at the ceiling.
Gemma had experienced such loss over her lifetime, and the thought that someone had taken her parents away from her on purpose did not sit right with her in the slightest.
Her heart ached at the thought.
Just a mere hour ago, she felt on top of the world, her life filled with love and now she felt at her lowest. Her reputation did not matter, nor did the gossip. All that mattered was getting justice for her parents.
***
It had been days since Gemma had returned to the estate and while Gabriel wished it had been a pleasant three days it had not been. Gemma had been sulking in her room since he gave her the news about her parents' carriage accident.
He understood why she was so upset but as he loved her, he wished he could be by her side throughout her struggles. If he were to prove to her that he would stand by her, this would be the time to do it. He honored her wishes.
Gemma finally joined him for breakfast on the third day.
“Lady Gemma, it is wonderful to see you,” Gabriel said, standing and pulling out her seat for her.
Gemma gave Gabriel a small smile. “I have missed you.”
At Gemma’s words, Gabriel smiled widely.
“I have missed you as well. I haven’t seen you in days so please eat up,” Gabriel urged.
Gemma piled her plate high, as Mrs. Harrow entered the dining hall with her hand raised. She had a letter in her hand.
“This is for you both. The late duke asked me to give this to you when the time was right,” Mrs. Elizabeth Harrow said, handing the letter to Gabriel.
Gabriel’s eyes widened at the letter as he exchanged an apprehensive glance with Gemma. They had not solved the last clue or found the treasure yet so what did this letter contain?
Gabriel carefully broke the seal and unfolded the paper.
He read aloud, filling the room with the late duke’s words, echoing from the past,
“My dear Gabriel and Gemma. If you are reading this, it means you have followed my trail of clues to the very end. The treasure I had left for you was not gold or precious jewels, it was the journey of finding each other.
I had seen in both of you a spark that could grow into a flame. I was not mistaken, I see. It was my ardent wish to see you two find happiness together, and I do hope you have.”
As Gabriel finished reading, Gemma broke down into a fit of giggles.
Gabriel could not figure out what was so funny, but he was intrigued.
“What is so funny?” Gabriel asked Gemma.
“It is just that the late duke wanted us to find our way to each other and we certainly have. In the most unexpected way too,” Gemma explained as her laughter died down.
Gabriel laughed along with her before a sense of peaceful understanding settled over him.
It felt good knowing that his father approved of his relationship with Gemma. He and his father may not have always seen eye to eye, but it warmed his heart that he had made him proud by loving Gemma. His father would have definitely not approved of his former lover, he thought to himself.
