Page 114 of Gilt

“I’ll be holding my breath,” I promise her.

“Exactly what did any of this have to do with my father’s murder?” Jameson asks as he shows her to the front door

“Well, since you two are so innocent, you can find out when everyone else does. Press conference is at noon.”

I hate to admit it, but we both know we’ll be watching.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Jameson takes me by the hand and leads me towards the stairs as soon as she’s gone. We should talk or come up with a plan, but I can’t find the energy to do either.

“I can’t go back to sleep,” I warn him.

“Can I have a moment with Emma?” Evelyn asks, stepping out of the shadows before we reach the stairwell. Jameson considers for a moment, but his mom must be on the pre-approved list because he excuses himself.

“I’ll be waiting in your room,” he says before he leaves me with her.

Dark circles rim Evelyn’s eyes. Is anyone in this house getting sleep?

“What did they want?” she asks when we’re alone.

“To accuse me of murdering your husband,” I blurt out. “I might as well tell you now because there’s going to be a press conference.”

I don’t know how I expect her to react, but she surprises me by wrapping me in a tight hug.

“How can you know that I…” I let the thought trail away.

She steps back, her hands gripping my shoulders. “The same way I know Jamie is innocent.”

“He’s your son.” It seems like an obvious fact to point out.

“He is, and he’s in love with you. As far as I’m concerned, that makes you my daughter, and I know what my children are capable of.”

I swallow hard, wishing I deserved her faith in me. If she knew the secrets I’m hiding, she wouldn’t think so highly of me.

“Get some rest.”

When I step into my room, Jameson closes the door behind us then he takes me in his arms.

“Mackey won’t touch you,” he vows.

“I don’t understand why she was asking all those questions,” I admit. “Jameson, you have to know that I had nothing to do—”

“I already know that, Duchess. I’m going to draw you a bath, and then I’m going to go downstairs and get on the phone with my lawyer.”

“You don’t have to do that.” He stops me with a kiss.

“Yes, I do.”

I blink against the prickly heat of tears. “She’s going to try to turn us against one another.”

“She’s going to fail,” he promises me.

“There’s going to be interrogations, maybe even a trial.” I’m too panicked to let him reassure me, but he grabs my chin in his hands and directs my gaze to his.

“I’m not going to let that happen, Emma.”

“I don’t have the resources you have unless I ask Hans for help,” I rattle on.