Free Far Beyond Scandalous by Bethany Sefchick Page A

needed to salvage the situation before he completely lost
Amy's trust.   "I'm sorry, Amy, but
I did what I thought was best.   And
remember, I did tell you that the apoplexy affected her brain."
    Gibson took a risk and used her
Christian name, something he hadn't done in months.   "I didn't want to hurt you any more than you already have
been.   You are dealing with a great many
things at the moment, and your mother's condition might only be temporary.   I do not know for certain yet, and didn't
want to cause you undue worry.   Tomorrow,
you must be prepared to take the reins of Cheltenham, and you cannot do that if
you are ill or overset with worry yourself."
    Amy hated to admit it, but Gibson
was correct in his assertion.   There was
an undeniable logic to his words as well.   She could berate him for the omission later.   In private.   Though in her
heart, she had already forgiven him.   He
had only acted as he had in order to protect her.   For now, she needed to be the lady of the manor.   She needed to be the one in charge of
Cheltenham.   And for that, she would
need a new mask.
    It seemed that breaking free of her
confining life was not possible after all, much to her disappointment.   Then again, this was an adventure of sorts,
was it not?   She decided to think of it
in that manner, anyway.
    "Very well.   But this isn't forgotten, Gibbs."   Amy used his nickname, letting him know that
she did forgive him - to a degree.   "Next time, however, you need to tell me everything.   I cannot do this if you withhold information
from me."
    "I will.   I promise."   Amy was stronger than she looked, something Gibson hadn't really
known about her.   How many more details
were there about her that he did not know?   Suddenly, inappropriate as it was, he wanted to know them all.   Then he sobered, needing to make certain Amy
understood everything clearly.   "Since we are dealing with truth, I will tell you this as
well.   Your mother needs to rest.   Undisturbed.   She cannot continue on in her duties as she has been or they will
kill her.   Even after she is well.   There is an underlying condition of some
sort that caused her to faint this evening, and until I know what it is, I
cannot effectively treat her over the long term."
    Tears pricked Amy's, eyes and she
attempted to fight off yet another urge to cry.   This time, she gave in, tired of being strong.   "Please, Gibson, don't let her die.   I'll do whatever you wish, whatever is
necessary.   I don't want to lose
her.   She is all I have.   Yes, I have my father, and while he cares
for me, he is never really here.   My
mother is all I have in this world to cling to."
    A part of her was embarrassed for
confessing so personal and private a thing, but if she could not tell Gibson,
then whom could she tell?   No one.   There was no one in the world who knew or
understood more about her than he did.   Not even Marcus.   As the tears
slid silently down Amy's face, it was as if she could feel the wall between
them slowly start to crumble.   In a way,
it was relief.
    Gibson wanted to say that she could
cling to him, but it wasn't his right.   It never would be.   Instead, all
he offered her was a risky friendship, and even that was pushing the boundaries
of propriety a bit too far.   Still, he
would not change his mind.   He cared for
her, perhaps more than he should.   Secretly, he knew he would do anything for her.
    "Then I will do my best to
ensure that you will not lose her.   If
it is within my power to keep her from death, I will, even if it means that I
step down as one of the Prince Regent's advisors.   I will be by your side until your father returns, whatever the
risks."   He wanted to offer more,
but, for the moment, that was all that he could manage and not seem like a
besotted, lovesick fool.   Though he was
probably that, too.
    His words struck right to her
heart.   Amy was in awe that Gibson would
risk so much for