Page 76 of The Duke of Pain

Gideon closed the door and headed toward her. Standing behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

“What a damned muddle,” he murmured.

Olivia laid her hand on top of his. “Is it true? We cannot accuse Whinstone?”

“Criminally? No. Well, I am not certain. He could feasibly get a trial in the House of Lords, judged by his fellow peers, but that is a farce. True justice is hardly ever meted out. They all stick together. I will consult my solicitor.”

“Let’s wait until we have definite proof first.”

He nuzzled her neck. “Very wise.”

Hobson entered. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but the Duchess of Whinstone wishes an immediate audience.”

Gideon growled. “What is this, the revolving door at the Midland Grand Hotel?”

Revolving door?

Gideon must have read her mind because he leaned in and whispered, “I will take you to see it soon. Quite the invention.” He kissed her cheek. “You don’t have to stay and endure my mother’s presence.”

Olivia straightened her shoulders. “No. I have to meet her sooner or later. Best to have it done now.”

Gideon’s mother was exactly as he had described. The older woman had an imperious, haughty air. Her dark eyes, similar to Gideon’s, were cold. Already, Olivia didn’t like her. For the woman did not spare her son a warm glance or smile.

Before the duchess could speak, Olivia stood in front of Gideon as if protecting him. Which, in essence, is what she was doing.

“Your Grace. I am Olivia Durham. I’m engaged to your son. I wish I could say I was pleased to make your acquaintance, but I am not.”

The duchess raised an eyebrow. “How dare you speak to me this way. Gideon! It is not to be borne. How dare you have your doxy address me.”

Olivia took Gideon’s hand and squeezed it briefly before moving toward the duchess.

“I am his fiancée, not his doxy or any doxy at all. Gideon and I will be making a home together, and if we are able, to eventually have children. If you wish to be a part of our family’s life, you must make amends. How you have treated your son—your only child—in the past and in the present is abominable.”

The duchess sputtered. “What lies has Gideon been spouting?”

“You enabled and supported his abuser. That is not something I can ever forget, let alone forgive. Whether Gideon does, is his decision. You have to earn my regard, and how it stands now, that may take years—if at all. You are a sorry excuse for a mother. A selfish woman who did not protect her child. How you can live with yourself, I do not know.”

Olivia took another step closer. “But know this. I will protect Gideon with my last breath. I will give him all the love he deserves but never received. I will show him respect and give him the kindness that was sadly lacking in his life all these years. Everything you never gave him.”

What possessed her to speak to a duchess in such a manner? She turned to look at Gideon. He was not angry but looked at her with such aching love and tenderness her heart stuttered in her chest.

She had meant every word.

Chapter 22

Gideon could not be prouder of his beloved. When had anyone stood up for him?

The passionate words Olivia had spoken would be forever etched on his heart.

And those comments had rendered his mother speechless. He made similar remarks to his mother through the years, but to have someone else say it? She stood, gaping, like a carp flopping on the pier.

“Why are you here, Mother? Speak your piece.”

Her narrowed eyes shifted Gideon’s way. “To tell you that I will be giving Sanford his divorce. His child must be legitimate. I need your assistance to get the case through the courts as swiftly as possible.”

“You are giving him what he wants.”

“Yes, I am.”