Page 76 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
Vivienne swallowed. Her heart rate was moving along quite quickly.
She was happy that she had a sister, but her mother killed Gemma’s parents, there was only so much they could bond over.
“Well, thank you for coming. Please have some tea.” Vivienne struggled to keep her voice relaxed.
“I will not be staying long,” Gemma concluded but she did take a seat opposite Vivienne.
The two stared at one another taking each other in.
It was not every day you met your secret sibling.
“What can I do for you?” Vivienne finally asked after moments of silence.
“Did you know?” Gemma grilled Vivienne. She could hear the edge in her own voice.
Vivienne was not exactly sure what Gemma was asking but Vivienne was unaware of everything.
“I did not know anything. Every time I asked about my birth father my mother would have a fit and she never mentioned your father. I am so sorry Lady Gemma about your parents. If I had known, I would have turned her in as soon as I had found out. I am filled with regret every day that my mother would do such a cruel deed.”
Gemma looked at Vivienne and took her words at face value. She softened toward Vivienne, realizing that none of this was her fault. She was just as much a victim as Gemma.
She got up and sat next to Vivienne. While her mother was a horrible person, she could see that Vivienne had none of her mother’s traits. She took Vivienne’s hand. “I want you to know that I do not hold you one bit responsible for anything your mother has done.”
“Thank you, Lady Gemma. You are as kind and caring a person that I thought you were when we first met. I appreciate your comfort.” Vivienne dabbed at her eyes with a kerchief.
“When will your stepfather return?”
“Not for a week or so. I had to send him the news via telegraph. I hope he receives it and comes back early. I wonder if he knew of my mother’s secret. I have never been fond of him but having someone I know here will help take my mind off my mother.”
“I know it can’t be an easy burden to bear with your mother in Bedlam.”
Vivienne shook her head.
“It will take some time for me to get past what your mother has done. However, I would like for us to have a relationship. We could build it slowly. How would you feel about that?”
Vivienne’s eyes widened at the unexpected offer. After a short pause she said, “I would like that very much indeed.” Vivienne smiled through her tears.
“I should go but I do appreciate your apology. Scandals can ruin lives, but I do hope you will only thrive from here and I would like to be by your side as you do.”
The women stood up and hugged. Vivienne felt such gratitude at Lady Gemma’s request.
As she watched Lady Gemma enter her carriage with confidence, she thought about what would be coming out in the gossip pages this week. The Ton would crucify her mother and her by association.
Would she have to leave for a while and come back once everything calmed down, she didn’t know. She could say goodbye to afternoon teas and invites to the next ball or dinner party. That was just fine with Vivienne.
One thing she was happy about was that she found out who her father was, finally. She had heard great things about the man. At least half of her was a good and decent person.
***
“Where have you been, my love?” Gabriel asked upon Gemma’s return.
Gemma had a gloomy look on her face as she spoke. “I went to see Vivienne.”
Gabriel looked shocked. That was the last place he had expected her to go.
“And? How was seeing your half-sister?”
“It was strange but gave me closure. She is just as lost as I am. We both lost a father, but I know we are grieving differently. Her mother is in Bedlam now and she only has her stepfather. I feel for her, but I cannot stand to look at her as she resembles her mother too much. I tried to see if I saw any similarities between us but there are none. She is like a stranger to me.”
