Gwen surreptitiously pinched herself on the leg. Just to be certain that she was awake, and this was not some strange bad dream. The creeping suspicion that she was asleep was a common manifestation since her first meeting with Aidan, it would seem.
“The baron’s murder …” Gwen sifted through her memories. “You mean the late Lord Filminster, who was found dead last month?”
Lady Moreland nodded. “That is correct. One of the footmen was hired by the killer, and Lily figured it out, so he attacked her. If it were not for the butler, she could have been killed.”
Gwen gasped. “I have heard nothing of it.”
Her mother-in-law dabbed at her eyes with her forefinger. “It was all rather shocking, but only the family knows of it. It is only right you be aware because you are family now, dear.”
Gwen nodded in awe. “Thank you.”
“It is a frightening prospect, to think of losing a child. I find myself thinking of you this morning. I wanted to assure myself … that you would take care of my boy. He has carried such a burden of guilt since Lily was ruined. He feels he should have been with her that night, you see.”
Gwen did not see. She had no clue what her mother-in-law was speaking of. Aidan was burdened with guilt over Lily’s ruin? Was that why he had offered to marry Gwen when they had been discovered together on the terrace?
“Which night?”
“The night of the coronation, when Lord Filminster was murdered. Lily stepped forward as an alibi to Brendan Ridley, stating she had spent the night with him. She did not, of course. Lily is a young lady and would never do such a thing, but she said it because Ridley’s paramour would not come forward. Lily ruined herself to prevent his arrest.”
Gwen’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. What bizarre intrigue was this?
She had been vaguely aware of the murder, and the ensuing scandal with Lily and her husband when Lily had informed the coroner that she and the new Lord Filminster had spent the night together. Apparently, that had been a lie.
Did that mean that Lily’s husband, Gwen’s new brother-in-law, could have murdered his father?
But no, Lady Moreland had implied that there had been a legitimate alibi who would not risk her reputation, so Lily had taken it upon herself to step forward. Gwen took a moment to marvel at the young woman’s courage.
What, if anything, did that have to do with her and Aidan?
“It is very odd that Aidan managed to ruin a woman so soon after Lily’s scandal. I am still at a loss why this happened to both my children. Do you think I raised them correctly?”
Lady Moreland was staring at her with brimming eyes. Eyes that reminded her of Aidan. Gwen’s heart twinged in sympathy to see her mother-in-law so troubled. “Of course! Aidan is a perfect gentleman. What happened between us was an aberration. We were overcome by the majesty of the moon, and such exquisite poetry … so now we are married. He did right by me.”
“I am glad it is you, my dear. You seem resilient. Intelligent. You are a good match for my boy. When I first learned of this, I did not know what to think, but after meeting you, my mind has been at ease. At least … regarding your suitability for my scholarly son.”
Musing over the revelations, Gwen stood to move around the table and place herself on the settee next to Lady Moreland. “Lily and Aidan are honorable people. Lily stepped forward to help Lord Filminster, and Aidan did not hesitate in offering for me. Your children are a credit to you, La—Mama Abbott. You raised them to stand by what they know in their hearts to be right, and they did so. The fact that their scandals were so close in time is … a coincidence.”
“You think so?”
“I do.”
It was not altogether true. Gwen wondered if Aidan’s proposal was because he did not want to see a young woman ruined as Lily had been. Perhaps his resolve to marry her had not been so much about their mutual attraction, but merely his conscience driving his actions. He certainly was in a strange and distant mood now that their wedding night was over.
Yet … their wedding night had been sublime. Something from a gothic novel or a poem by Lord Byron. Surely he must entertain feelings for her if he could spend so many hours in her company? It had been like they were marooned ona remote island, the only people left in the world. The way he had spoken to her had implied a deep regard.
One thing was certain. There were secrets to Aidan that he was not disclosing. His sister had been engaged in a scandal just a few weeks earlier, and this was the first she knew that he had blamed himself for what had happened.
And one more thing was certain. Gwen had been so absorbed by her own issues, her own needs and wants, that it had not struck her to think what Aidan might need.
Learning he was shouldering guilt over his sister made her realize her own selfishness over the past two weeks. What of her husband’s needs?
He had stepped in to save her from scandal when he could have walked away. His family had been generous in negotiating financial terms because her father did not have the funds for a large dowry.
Instead of moping around, she needed to forge a true connection with Aidan. To become his partner and assist him with his burdens. They were to traverse life together, so she must stop feeling sorry for herself and demand her place at his side.
“You are a good girl, Gwen. My son and my future grandchildren are fortunate to have a woman like you to steer their lives.”
Gwen was touched. When she first met Lady Moreland, she had thought the viscountess would be like the other mamas of theton, dismissive of Gwen and her appearance. But from their first meeting, she had been warm and welcoming, embarrassing her and Aidan with talk of babes.
