Page 66 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
“You do not understand. You could never understand! My reputation is ruined. As a man, you will not face the same level of scrutiny or disdain as I do, now that I am labeled a wanton woman! This is terrible news for me, and it will affect my future with you.”
Gabriel took a step back, stunned by her words and tone. She was right. He would never be able to understand though he wished he could. He hated seeing her so heartbroken and sad.
“May I please have a moment alone?” Gemma pleaded.
Gabriel nodded and respected her wishes, leaving the parlor.
As Gabriel made his way back to the ballroom, he heard an incoherent mumbling coming from a nearby room. Stepping closer, he spotted Lady Sagewood alone, speaking nonsensically to herself.
He watched as she rocked back and forth and kept mumbling. Observing her peculiar behavior, Gabriel decided that she appeared mentally unstable, but he had other more pressing matters at hand, so he left her alone and continued his pursuit to the ballroom.
On his way into the ballroom, Gabriel bumped into a small body.
He caught her by the wrist before she stumbled to the ground.
“Lady Vivienne, are you alright?” Gabriel asked.
“I am just looking for my mother,” Vivienne explained.
Gabriel, knowing that he just saw her mother behaving strangely, informed Vivienne of what he saw. “I just encountered her in that room right over there,” Gabriel pointed. “She was acting strangely, and you should check on her.”
Vivienne’s eyes widened as she scurried off to find her mother.
On a mission, Gabriel searched the ballroom until he found Felicity talking with Hugh near the edge of the ballroom.
“Lady Felicity,” Gabriel said as he made his way into the conversation. “Have you heard?”
Felicity nodded. “It is all anyone is talking about. Is Gemma alright?”
“She is not and could use a friend right now. She is in the parlor,” Gabriel urged.
Felicity got the hint and exited the ballroom in search of Gemma.
“Are you alright?” Hugh asked Gabriel.
“I do not know. I am eager to marry Lady Gemma but with this gossip going around. Everyone seems to be judging her and our situation. I have no idea what to do to make things right.” Gabriel sighed loudly and put his face in his hands.
“With time the scandal will pass as scandals do. A new one will pop up within the week and everyone will forget about Lady Gemma and you,” Hugh tried to comfort Gabriel.
Gabriel hoped he was right but worried that he was not.
***
Felicity felt horrible for Gemma and also guilty. She felt guilty that her night was going so well with Hugh while everyone else seemed to be gossiping about Gemma. It didn’t sit right with her but at the same time she knew the rumors were true.
As Felicity made her way to the parlor to console Gemma, she stumbled upon a frantic Miss Beaumont.
“Miss Beaumont, what has made you so frantic?”
“It is Lady Gemma. She has gone.” Felicity’s voice was wavering terribly.
“Gone where?” Miss Beaumont’s voice was equally as concerned.
“She took off alone in a hackney carriage. I tried to stop her, but she seemed to be in a state of distress. I tried to stop her, but she would not listen!”
Alarmed by the news, Felicity rushed back to the ballroom to Gabriel.
“Your Grace!” Felicity yelled, catching the attention of everyone. “Gemma has disappeared. She took a hackney carriage. Alone! Hurry for we must find her immediately. Please, we must make great haste!”
