Page 66 of The Gentleman's Confession
“From protective to accusatory. Mother Hen isn’t playing very nice today.” Tom folded his arms across his broad chest. “Are you inferring that Miles hugged her to his chest while he lifted her off the ground like a gentleman?” He sputtered a laugh. “How dare he!”
Miles winced at Tom’s attempt at humor.
Ian folded his arms too. “This was more than hugging or even hair stroking. It’s shocking enough for you to kiss your wife in a ballroom, but no one was married out on that corner of the field.”
Tom coughed. “Mother Hen, did you hit your head too? Surely the chaos of the moment made you imagine it. There is no tendre between them.”
Ian glowered. “I can hardly believe it either. Miles? Would you care to defend yourself?”
A disconsolate air filled the spaces between them. Miles swallowed back the bile forming in his throat. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“Say it was a friendly response in a moment of panic,” Tom suggested. “It couldn’t be anything else, so Ian and the rest of us will believe you.”
Ian’s laugh was dry. “He cannot say what isn’t true. Miles has too much integrity to lie to us. Besides, this was not the kind of kiss one would give his grandmother, which means the consequences are grave indeed. There is a crowd outside, in case anyone has forgotten. I don’t think even Paul, our genius barrister, could present Miles’s side in a favorable light,” Ian said. “I’m not sure he could convince me either. Jemma’s reputation is at risk as much as Lisette’s future.”
Tom grabbed one of Miles’s shoulders. “Don’t listen to him. We will laugh about this soon enough. We all know Lisette has your heart.”
Paul burst into the library and announced to the room, “Good news. Dr. Giles was in attendance at the match and is with Jemma now.”
The men gave a collective sigh of relief, and Mr. Manning even dipped his head and prayed his thanks. Relief flooded Miles but only momentarily. They still had yet to hear the prognosis, and he had yet to explain to his friends.
Paul jogged to their side and crowded into their small circle, and everyone shifted to give him the space he preferred on either side of him. “Dr. Giles took a moment with Mr. Bentley to assure us of his health. He is conscious now and on his way home, with Mr. Reed escorting him. After he has rested, he will call on Jem ... Wait, did I miss something?”
Miles stood, his emotional strength all but diminished. “I kissed Jemma.”
Paul’s eyes widened. “Because you were afraid for her life?”
Miles nodded.
Paul chuckled under his breath. “For a second there, I thought you were confessing something.”
“I am.” Miles winced as he observed their reactions. Ian, who had seen the signs a little sooner than the others, was less shocked and more displeased. Tom’s mouth worked, but no sound came out—not even a joke. Paul looked as if his solicitor had just presented him an impossible case.
Paul was the first to find his voice, though it was as solemn as ever. “There will be repercussions, but nothing the Rebels cannot weather with some creative thinking. Who saw it happen?”
Miles scratched his head. “I was a little preoccupied worrying over Jemma’s life. Ian here is the only witness I am aware of.”
“We can all hope I am the only one,” Ian grumbled. “If news spreads, more than just our friend group will be hurt.”
Miles’s stomach sank. He had not meant to break the gentleman’s code of honor, but neither could he deny his feelings for Jemma any longer. But to hurt her reputation—that was something he could not abide. “I know you are disappointed in me and probably angry, but unless another witness is found, could we not put this discussion on hold until Jemma’s life is stable? Please.”
One by one, they nodded. Ian was the most reluctant, but even he had to see the wisdom in it. With taut nerves, they would reach no positive resolution. Miles was putting off the inevitable, but he could face it better once he knew Jemma’s life was out of danger.
“There you are.” Miles’s mother pushed her small form into their circle, her arm going around his waist. “Don’t you worry for a minute. What Miss Fielding lacks in size is made up for in spirit. She will fight through this.”
His mother’s comfort reached him but did not fully take hold. There was too much regret of wasted time nagging at his heart. All the should haves and shouldn’t haves weighed heavily on him. And now his friends’ feelings added to it. He put his arm around his mother’s shoulders and leaned into her embrace. Would she despise him, too, once she found out how he had inadvertently sabotaged the Matchmaking Mamas by desiring Jemma for himself? He certainly hoped to find forgiveness somewhere.
CHAPTER 30
Jemma stirred, waking behind herclosed eyes. What a strange dream. Before she could sense her surroundings at all, pain shot through the back of her head, drawing a moan from her lips.
“Jemma?” Lisette’s voice called to her from somewhere close.
Jemma pulled open her eyes, seeing an unrecognizable dark-wood armoire and a lavender quilt draped over her arms. “Lisette?”
“I am here.” Lisette appeared at her side, taking a seat on the bed near her. “Can I get you some water?”
Jemma’s mouth was a little dry. She moved to sit up, and the room swayed. “A bucket. I need a bucket.”
