Page 77 of The Duke of Pain

Gideon shook his head. He shouldn’t be surprised by this.

“You are aware that all divorce cases are public? That there will be reporters in court, and they will no doubt print the salacious details in the papers?”

“It will not reflect on me, as Sanford will be taking the blame. I am to call him out for cruelty and adultery.”

“None of it is a lie,” Gideon interjected. Whinstone must be desperate to make the child legitimate if he agreed to those terms. “And the monetary demands?”

“It is none of your business.”

Gideon nodded. “You are correct. I care not how you waste your money. Why tell me this?”

“As I said,” his mother sniffed. “I need you to have the court hear the case right away.”

The last thing he wanted was to assist Whinstone in any way, but, as always, he would barter to turn it to his advantage.

“Then you will agree to move in with Aunt Mirella immediately, as I have already given notice on the townhouse. You have until the end of the month.”

“But that is only a little over two weeks away.”

“Then you had best get packing.” Gideon strolled toward her, took her arm, and pulled her toward the door. “Time to go.”

“Wait! You haven’t addressed how that woman spoke to me!” she whined.

“I agree with Olivia’s every word. And another thing, the accounts will be closed at the grocer and the apothecary. Buy your own goods going forward. As I said before, time to budget. And do not drop in unannounced again, Mother. Hobson! See the duchess off the premises.” Gideon pushed her through the door and slammed it shut.

Olivia clapped her hands together. “Bravo. You handled that well.”

He strode toward her and pulled her into his arms. “As did you. My God, the look on her face. She’s never been spoken to like that before by someone other than family. Well done. And your words.”

Gideon kissed her passionately, showing her just how much her speech had touched him.

Sighing blissfully, Olivia pulled back. “It’s true, Gideon. We must protect each other. We must ensure that love, respect, kindness, and trust are the watchwords for our relationship. There will be times we disagree, perhaps vehemently. But as long as we keep our vows, we will come out on the other side. I know it.”

Gideon took her hands. “Then let us vow here and now. We will not allow any outside influences to come between us. We will communicate fully and honestly. We will love and respect each other until the end of our days. We can accomplish anything. Never again will we be broken. As long as we stand together. I am yours.”

Olivia nodded. “And I am yours. Oh, Gideon, we can make this work. I know we can. You have my vow.”

As he held her close to his heart, he believed they had that chance at happiness. But something nagged at the back of his mind. That there were still obstacles ahead.

But they would face it—together.

Later the following morning, Gideon and Damon arrived at Warren Cowley, Viscount Huxley’s townhouse. Gideon did not know what to expect, as the man had been absent on and off since last summer. Huxley placed himself in the Bevan-Standon Sanitorium, located in Hertfordshire. The sanitorium was started by Doctor Gethin Bevan and his daughter, Cristyn, now married to the Earl of Carnstone.

The private sanitorium specifically dealt with those suffering from addictions of all types.

Huxley’s particular ailment? A form of sexual compulsion. The rest of the rakes had no idea how serious it had become until he up and announced he was cloistering himself away.

The butler showed them into the parlor, and Huxley stood to greet them. Gideon observed that Huxley looked far healthier than the drawn, thin ghost he had seen last autumn at a rakes’ dinner.

“Leave us,” Huxley said to the butler as he strode to the sideboard. “Can I offer you a drink, or is it too early? I can order a tea tray or coffee.”

“No, thank you,” Gideon replied.

“Nothing for me,” Damon said. “I must say you look the picture of health. Are you cured of your particular malady?”

Huxley sat opposite them. “No one is ever truly cured of an addiction, whatever it may be. But I am coping well and ready to join the living. But not as a member of The Rakes. Those debauched days are behind me. Besides, I’ve met someone.”

Damon scoffed. “Lord, not another one. Gideon here has fallen into that black hole. He’s engaged if you can imagine. To an absolutely lovely woman. And yours?”