Page 56 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
Once he was at the dower house, he was hit with just how serious their situation was and what it could mean for the future.
Gemma was probably unaware of what their precious time together meant. Not having grown up with a mother, who would have taught her such things, nor a father. The late duke probably never talked to her about such matters either. Gabriel didn’t know whether he should reach out to her or not. He had left her on her own and he couldn’t imagine what that did to her. He had broken her heart; he had seen it in her eyes.
Would Gemma still want anything to do with Gabriel? Would Gemma forgive him for leaving her after their intimate moment together?
As Gabriel entered the dower house, he looked for clues. He found nothing until he turned to leave and saw a note tucked into the corner of the doorway.
Plucking up the note, Gabriel read it. He knew he should share its contents with Gemma, but he had no clue how to approach her, if she even allowed him to.
He decided that when Gemma went for tea, he would leave the note outside of her door so she could find it upon her return.
Chapter 23
Thoughts of Gabriel were tearing Gemma apart inside and out. She was wrestling with a mix of emotions. Gabriel’s sudden detachment following their shared intimacy left her grappling with feelings of rejection, self-doubt, and anger. She was very angry at him, indeed.
Was she not desirable to him? Was she not good at being intimate? Could it be that he regretted what happened between them?
All of these thoughts culminated inside Gemma until she felt as if she was going to burst.
Over the last two days, she spent her time either locked in her bed chamber moping or walking around the estate trying to find Gabriel so they could talk.
Gabriel’s evasion over the past two days only served to validate her concerns. He clearly wanted nothing to do with Gemma. Which made Gemma feel small and insecure; used and broken.
“It’s almost time for tea at the Rothchild house,” Mrs. Harrow said as she knocked on Gemma’s bedroom door.
Gemma knew that she had to attend tea and was looking forward to seeing her friend, Felicity. Seeing a dear friend after everything that had happened was just what Gemma needed, a balm for her aching heart.
The carriage ride over to Felicity’s was met with thoughtful conversation between Gemma and Miss Beaumont who was accompanying Gemma.
“How are you, Lady Gemma? You seem down these past couple of days,” Miss Beaumont mused.
Gemma was startled by her conversation as they were usually quiet with one another.
“I am well, Miss Beaumont. I just have not been feeling my best.”
Miss Beaumont nodded before placing a hand on Gemma’s hand.
“It can be difficult being a lady. I understand, Lady Gemma. But you make it look so easy. It is always alright to take time for yourself, especially with everything you have been through.”
Gemma felt a tear prickle in her eye at Miss Beaumont’s words of comfort. Miss Beaumont was being so kind to Gemma, and it was just what she needed at the moment.
“Thank you, Miss Beaumont. I really appreciate you being my chaperone.”
Miss Beaumont shot a warm smile to Gemma. The pair exchanged pleasant conversation the rest of the way to the Rothschild’s home.
Arriving at Felicity’s home was a welcomed feeling to Gemma. There were other carriages out front, an indication that other ladies would be in attendance, but Gemma did not mind that. The more people around, hopefully the more she would be distracted and not be consumed by her thoughts of Gabriel.
“Gemma!” Felicity called out as Gemma entered Felicity’s home.
“Felicity, I am so happy to see you,” Gemma murmured.
Just seeing the face of her friend made her relax but also made her want to express everything that had happened between her and Gabriel.
“I am so thankful you could attend. It feels like it has been ages since we last saw each other,” Felicity said.
Gemma couldn’t help but agree, though they did just see each other at the opera. She missed her dear friend.
“Let us go inside and convene with the other ladies,” Felicity urged.
