Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

T he following morning saw Gideon in an exceptionally good mood. His first manner of business was to dispatch a note to Amelia, requesting her company in the morning room for a shared breakfast. Then he hummed while he got dressed, earning confused and curious glances from his valet which he ignored.

Considering the events of the previous night, he couldn't help but feel elated. He had retired for the night with a sense of hunger, wishing he could have joined Amelia in her bedchamber and continued what they had started.

The memory of her climax brought a foolish grin to his face. Gideon had experienced his fair share of romantic liaisons, yet witnessing a woman's pleasure had never been as satisfying as it was with Amelia. Usually, it was he who would take control, using other women to sate his cravings. But seeing Amelia writhe beneath him last night had been enough to satiate his own lust.

More , she'd begged.

And Gideon fully intended to grant her wish.

He stepped out of his bedchamber with that same sappy grin on his face and a pep in his step. Excitement coursed through him as he made his way to the morning room past bemused footmen. He couldn't quite believe how his mood could have improved so quickly. Late last night, Gideon had braced himself for a night of heavy drinking to drown his sorrows while thinking up another plan of action. All attempts at pinning Lord Appleby on a game set wager had been inhibited by the Earl's wariness of the Masked Rogue, and returning to the castle empty-handed had weighed heavily on him.

He was almost on the verge of tossing away his revenge plot.

Yet, this morning was different, promising even, all thanks to the enchanting brown-haired lady who seemed to have made it her mission to stay as his wife. Gideon had wished to be rid of her, but she had quickly become the one constant in his life. Knowing no matter where he may be, tomorrow, next week, or even a year from now, he could return to someone he was beginning to trust, brought to him a different kind of contentment.

For the first time since his brother died, Castle Stanhope had begun to feel like home. All because of her.

And to his welcome surprise, the lady in question was already in the morning room when he stepped past the threshold. As impossible as it felt, his grin widened at the sight of her. She didn't notice him right away, engrossed in pouring herself a cup of tea with one hand while reading a book in the other. She was clad in a pale blue morning dress that Gideon had approved to be in her closet upon her arrival. As his duchess, he hadn't wanted to run the risk of her tarnishing his reputation in any manner, even though he did not intend to remain married to her for long. But now, seeing her in something that he had chosen for her stirred something inside him that he could not quite name.

It was these little things he was finally beginning to notice. Was this how it felt to have a wife? For a moment, he studied her, adorable in the manner in which she tried to balance the two things in her hands.

Amelia became aware of his presence a few moments later and graced him with a gentle smile. "Good morning," she greeted.

"Good morning, darling," Gideon responded, delighting in the subtle blush that blossomed on her cheeks. He settled into a chair across from her, set beside a small rectangular ornate table. "I imagine you slept well?"

Her blush deepened, and she shyly averted her gaze. It was quite a stark contrast to how bold she had been the prior night. "I did," she answered softly. "And you?"

"Rather well, much to my surprise," he huffed, reclining against the backrest.

Amelia's head perked up a little. "Really? Why does that surprise you?"

Gideon shrugged, then reached for a piece of toast. "After the…" he met her eyes for a second, "well, let's just say I anticipated a night of restlessness. No less owing to the fact that I had a little too much to drink."

"Then why did you wish to get in your cups like that?" she asked. "Did it have anything to do with whatever business you had while you were away?"

"Yes, it did. Matters… did not proceed as I had hoped."

Amelia nodded, taking a sip of her tea. Gideon could all but feel the question that was coming. He chewed idly, sitting back in his chair and waiting for her to find the courage.

"What sort of business was it?" she asked at last, glancing up at him. When she caught his direct stare, she flushed again but she didn't look away. "If you don't mind me asking, of course."

"It is nothing you need to be concerned about," he answered dismissively.

"I am not concerned," she responded easily. "Merely curious. Considering your condition last night, I believe that's a natural response."

"Ever heard the proverb Curiosity killed the cat ?"

"I am no cat."

"You sure purred like one last—" Gideon caught himself, but it was too late. Much to his humor, Amelia's gaze immediately fell to the sugar bowl as she picked up a teaspoon and stirred in some extra sugar to her teacup. Taking another sip, she winced at the sweetness.

When she understood he was waiting for her response, she finally replied. "It seems you are evading my questions," she continued, ignoring his last remarks. "…So I take it that it had something to do with the Masked Rogue?"

Gideon sighed. He could tell that she would not let up until she received at least even a smattering of information. "If you must know, then yes."

"I see." She bit into her toast, chewed thoughtfully, and then spoke again. "And, judging by your less-than-sober state last night, I gather things did not go quite as planned?"

"You are far too observant for your own good, Amelia." Leaning forward, Gideon rested his elbows on the table, crunching the toast in his jaw. "Hmm, I wonder. What is your fascination with the Masked Rogue? Why all these questions?" Suddenly, he pulled his elbows from the table and his eyes widened. "Don't tell me, is it that you wish to experience—"

Amelia glanced at him open-mouthed and then froze. "What do you— No! That's not it at all! It is just, I have heard the whispers about your… alter ego, just as anyone else in London has! And frankly, I don't approve of what you're involved in."

"I assure you, I am not involved in anything unscrupulous—"

"You and I both know that is not true," she interrupted.

Gideon's gaze sharpened on her. The day had begun too pleasantly to spoil it with discussions of the Masked Rogue. "Enough of that. Have you any plans for today?"

Amelia blinked at him, clearly taken by surprise. "I don't, no. None at all. Unless you consider aimless strolls through the castle's halls like a phantom as plans."

That made him laugh and she let out a small giggle herself. "Ah, she jests! I would never have guessed. But since you lack any worthwhile plans, perhaps you wouldn't mind accompanying me for a promenade through the park?"

"Worthwhile plans?" she questioned with an arched brow. "I don't know if I should feel quite affronted."

"Well, I insist nonetheless, Your Grace ." Gideon rose, and with a flourish of spontaneity, took her hand and pressed a kiss to its back. "Take a moment to ready yourself while I arrange for a carriage. Pray, don't deprive me of your absence for too long now, darling."

Hyde Park was teeming with Lords and Ladies by the time they arrived. Amelia felt a surge of panic at the sheer number of people who would see her and Gideon together. The private soiree was one thing, but being out in public with the Duke, in broad daylight, set her nerves on edge. She managed to hold it together well enough as Gideon assisted her in exiting the carriage, but when she accepted the arm he'd offered to her, she realized that her hands were trembling.

As they strolled along a bustling walkway, Gideon drew her closer, concern lacing his voice. "Your social nerves catching you out again?" he whispered.

"How did you— oh. Yes," she nodded silently.

"What's the matter?"

"N-nothing. I am just surprised you remembered something of me, that is all. I am used to repeating myself usually." Abruptly, she put a hand to her lips. "That came out as quite pitiful, didn't it?"

Gideon chuckled. "As a Duchess, you will soon find the trick is getting people to forget."

Amelia frowned. "I'm… I'm not sure how you manage it. Even as the Masked Rogue—" She quickly cut herself off, stopping, hand rising to her lips again. "I'm sorry, it's the nerves. Oh, this was a terrible idea! We should go back—"

Gideon paused as he turned to her. "Balderdash. We are not going anywhere. It was a slip, it has happened more than once between myself and Lewis. Besides," he looked around, watching as Lords pressed forward, uptight and splashing back their coats like peacocks flaunting their feathers, and ladies flocking to titter behind their fans at every gentleman that passed by, "I am sure they're far too concerned with their ritualistic game of courtship to bother with little old us."

Amelia glanced about, grimaced, then took his arm again as they continued forward. "I was just saying, I am not sure how you manage to keep so composed when you know eyes must be trailing your every move. I'm quite clumsy and quick to lose my good sense, especially if it feels as if others are paying keen attention to me."

"Do you think that they are?" The question held no incredulity, just sincere curiosity. Gideon even began scanning around as if he hadn't even considered the fact that they might be the center of attention right now. It almost made her smile.

"You are the Duke of Stanhope," she stated, brows furrowing, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Undoubtedly, there were many ladies eager to be in the position I now find myself in. Not to mention that before we met, I was quite looked down upon like a lost puppy, so I'm sure that many were surprised and a little disbelieving when they learned that you married me… I suppose it only makes sense that a few glances and glares would be sent my way then."

"I understand," he said, sounding oddly gentle. He guided her down another quieter trail that led adjacent to the serpentine. "Though I do not know how best to stop it."

"You don't have to stop it," Amelia quickly responded, slightly surprised by his eagerness to help.

"Why not? It is causing you discomfort," he reasoned.

"Yes, but… it is out of your hands. Besides, it was me that got us into this mess, it is only fair that I face the consequences, no matter how trivial they might be… in the grand scheme of things." Regardless of her optimism, Amelia's heart warmed by his consideration. He sounded serious too. "But thank you."

"For someone who is apprehensive in social settings, you sure do speak a lot when you have the chance," he grinned. "I feel I could listen to you speak all day if I do not bother to interject."

Amelia flushed. "Pardon me, I do that sometimes. To alleviate my nerves. It is a habit I picked up from my sister—"

Gideon glanced at her but did not break his stride. When she bit her lip and made it clear she wasn't going to continue, he began again. "Well, you should at least be comfortable," he insisted. "Even if you are not happy."

"I did not know that my happiness was any concern of yours."

Gideon raised a brow at her. He turned down another path and she suddenly realized that he was moving away from the more crowded trails. "Goodness, Amelia, you make it seem as if I am some devil who preys on your misery. Surely you do not think me to be so terrible? Gideon Terrell, the Terrible. Has quite a ring to it, actually."

She giggled. "I suppose you do have some redeeming qualities. You did make an effort just now to ease my discomfort at being out in public again. So I suppose you aren't a complete devil."

Gideon gave her a look of mock astonishment. "A compliment veiled beneath an insult!" he observed, sounding awed. He drew in closer and explained as if he needed to clarify, "Usually, it is the other way around, you see."

Amelia felt her tongue loosening. She had started to feel more comfortable in Gideon's presence. "Yes. I am teasing you, Your Grace ," she laughed, playfully smacking his arm. "Is that so hard to believe? Goodness, you embarrass me sometimes. You make it seem as if you witnessed a miracle."

His eyes widened again. "Why? Do you also turn water into wine? Can you teach me?"

She playfully slapped him again. "I can push you into the Serpentine if you so desire to experience one," she answered wryly.

"Ha! There's the Amelia I know. Your friends must think you to be quite the jester."

Amelia dismissed the thought with a shake of her head. "They might, if I had any. The only person I have is Dorothy, my… my sister," she finally admitted.

"You're close then? You have never really talked about her."

"There was no need to, considering our marriage was only supposed to—" Amelia's lips clamped shut, just in time before she gave away the entire ruse. " Supposed to be in name only ," she finished carefully. "Well, she was my best friend. Still is, despite the fact we haven't met in years."

"Must be difficult, considering she lives all the way in Brighton."

"Yes, she…" Amelia went quiet again. Then, she glanced up at Gideon. "How did you know?"

It was Gideon who froze this time. He removed his top hat, and shook his hair, before carefully replacing it there. He looked quite majestic and handsome as he did so. Then, he smoothly resumed his strides. "I… Ah. I saw a correspondence to you addressed from Brighton, and put two and two together."

"Oh," Amelia frowned before continuing, "Well, yes, she resides in Brighton, with her husband, Lord Talley. We exchange letters now and again, but it is not as often as I'd like it to be."

"Why haven't you visited?"

"I…" She hesitated. She wasn't keen on delving into her sister's private life, and she especially didn't want Gideon to know anything about Dorothy's domestic situation. "As you said, it is quite difficult considering she lives all the way in Brighton. With my busy seasons, I had scarcely found the time." Quickly turning the conversation, she added, "What of you? Do you have any…?"

"I do not." His tone was direct. Amelia peeked up at him but his expression did not give anything away.

"Oh. Then you must've been left feeling quite lonely when you were younger," she observed softly.

Gideon shifted his gaze to her and something moved in his dark eyes. "Like you wouldn't believe," he said quietly.

Amelia came to a stop, taken by surprise by his candid response. Without thinking, she touched his arm gently in what was intended as a comforting gesture. Gideon looked down at her hand and then back at her face. For a brief second, she glimpsed the shadow of a lonely boy lurking beneath his usual stoic facade.

Not caring as to who was around, Amelia reached out, her fingers brushing his cheek. His stubble tickled her palm and, for an instant, he seemed to soften, leaning into her touch as if starved for that simple kindness. As if he needed someone to lean on for a moment.

But then he clasped her hand. He tore it from his cheek. And then he pulled her closer to him.

Amelia knew what was going to happen before it did. She should have stopped him. Even though they were not on one of the more open paths, they were still in public and a few people had wandered by now and again. It wasn't seemly, even for a married couple, to engage in such displays out in the open.

Yet there was something about Gideon's penchant for inappropriate behavior that excited her. A small grin even played on her lips as their mouths met.

The kiss was fleeting, yet capable of instilling the same levels of need in her as it always did. Amelia's heart was racing by the time he pulled away. She gazed up at his smirk, blushing furiously. "I'll take that offer of being thrown into the Serpentine if it's still on the table," he said breathlessly.

She rolled her eyes and walked away from him but not before she returned his smirk. He was changing her, she realized. For the better or the worse, Amelia didn't know. But whichever one it was, Amelia was beginning to welcome it with open arms. For the first time in a long while, she was enjoying her life.