Regency 05 - Intrigue by Jaimey Grant Read Free Book Online Page A

certain reservations about that.”
    Gideon nodded but said nothing, his face carefully neutral.
    Malvina sniffed once, then sighed. She found a large handkerchief shoved under her nose and she accepted it gratefully. As she blew her nose and wiped away the proof of her heartache, she pondered what had made her tears turn suddenly sour.
    She had not laughed since she was a girl, she realized, well before she was married. After that, there had never been a reason for laughter. Life and her marriage had been difficult, frustrating, and sometimes downright terrifying. Her husband had been demanding and rough, without a sensitive bone in his body. Gideon treated her with respect, gentleness, and kindness. He made her feel beautiful, loved, and…happy.
    He made her happy. That was why she had cried so piteously. This man, this young and beautiful man, had the power to make her happy. She didn’t deserve it.
    She didn’t even know who he was or what he wanted with her. He said he would marry her but he couldn’t possibly. His age loomed in her mind, an obstacle to any real relationship they could have.
    Her thoughts seemed constantly to focus on that fact. Why was she so against it? It concerned Gideon not at all, or so it seemed. But Wolf didn’t care for the age difference at all.
    She realized her son wasn’t in the room. “Where is Wolf?”
    “He has gone to allow you time to compose yourself. No doubt he is pacing the floor in the drawing room awaiting your appearance as reassurance.”
    New tears threatened but Malvina held them back. Her son was not lost to all goodness, then. He was a good boy at heart, and he would grow up to be a good man. If Gideon was there to guide him. Without Gideon…
    A tiny smile fluttered on her lips. “Do you think?”
    “Sometimes,” he replied flippantly. “When it doesn’t tax my poor brain too much.”
    “That is not what I meant, you awful man,” she scolded, suppressing a giggle.
    Gideon smiled at her, a smile that held a small amount of sadness. He clasped her fingers. “Malvina, we have all had things in our lives that weigh heavily upon our minds. No one is immune to making mistakes. Sometimes, we need someone to help us through the difficult times we put ourselves through. Do you understand?”
    She nodded, understanding far better than he could ever know. “I do, Gideon.” She gave him a thoughtful look. “You have done something for which you are ashamed?”
    It was as if someone flipped a switch inside him. His eyes shuttered, his mouth firmed, his very essence dulling before her wondering gaze. Evidently, she’d touched a sore spot.
    He withdrew from her, reaching into his waistcoat pocket and retrieving a small velvet bag. “This is for you,” he said, his action screaming of his wish to not discuss whatever pain he held deep within. Malvina wanted to frown at his lack of trust in her when he demanded so very much of that from her, but she forced a smile instead, pretending interest in the bag he held.
    She took the offering, opening the little bag and upending its contents into her palm. Delicate silver chain spilled out, covering the pendant within. Malvina gently moved the chain aside. A single flawless pearl, large and creamy white, accented with a golden topaz and one tiny, grass-green peridot, met her wondering gaze. Her trembling fingers brushed over the bauble. For several moments, she couldn’t speak past the sudden lump in her throat.
    Finally, swallowing hard, she asked, “Why?”
    “As my betrothed, you are entitled to a gift to show my regard.” At her frown, his lips twitched. “And a lady deserves jewels to complement her beauty.” Her brows twitched upward. He leaned close, sending a shiver over her skin as she wondered if he’d kiss her. His fingers caressed her cheek. “There does not exist a jewel worthy of you, love. I can only hope you find this meager offering…charming.”
    He broke into a grin at his own words. Unable to