Free The Widow Wager by Jess Michaels Page A

everything.
    And whatever happened, he wasn’t about to let this woman close enough to do any of that.
     

     
    When Annabelle opened the door to the billiards room, the way the men brought their conversation to a screeching halt made every hair on Gemma’s neck stand up. She stared at the three guilty faces, the three sets of eyes that wouldn’t meet hers and her skin heated. She wanted to hide. She had come to be very aware of when others were discussing her in a less than positive light.
    And even though she knew Crispin wanted out of their marriage, the fact still stung.
    But then he did the unexpected. He turned his face back to hers, their eyes locked, and he just… watched her. Unflinching, unjudging. He just watched.
    She finally looked away, just as Mrs. Flynn said, “Is it safe to assume that everyone in the room now knows the unfortunate details of Gemma and Crispin’s marriage?”
    Gemma suddenly found the design on the carpet fascinating, but even though she no longer looked at them she was well aware that everyone around her was nodding. The humiliation of all these strangers, kind as they had been so far, privy to what had been one of her worst nights cut deep. It took everything in her not to run from the room. After all, where would she go?
    “Then I suggest this is something that would better be discussed all together, as a family.”
    To Gemma’s surprise, Annabelle wrapped an arm around her shoulders in that moment and drew her forward, drew her into their circle. She felt her spine straighten and she let her gaze lift.
    Part of their family? Could it be so easy?
    “Gemma tells us that you wish to somehow annul the union on grounds of fraud, or at least drunkenness,” Annabelle said, her tone cold. “Is that true, Crispin?”
    “It was true.” Crispin shifted. “Rafe pointed out to me a moment ago that I never actually asked Gemma’s opinion on the matter. So I am asking you now, Gemma. What do you want to do?”
    She stepped back in surprise. No one had asked her about her desires regarding her own future in years, decades perhaps. She wasn’t even certain she had a reply.
    “Gemma,” he said, his voice softer as he took a step toward her. “I want to know your thoughts.”
    She cleared her throat. Her thoughts.
    “Although being dragged into the night by you and my father, being forced to wed in the most unromantic and uncouth way would never have been my choice, the fact is that it was done. And I know my father. By this morning, he would have begun the announcing and the crowing to anyone who would spread the word quickest. If we then annul the union, I fear the repercussions will be devastating. Not to me. I already know a bit about scandal—”
    She blushed at having to say those words, but forced herself to continue.
    “It is for my sister I fear, you see. At this moment, Mary could still have some value if my father allows her to have a Season. He might even let her have a little bit of choice in husbands to save face. But if I fall, utterly fall, as I would with this broken, blasphemous marriage…well, my father might decide to barter with her innocence instead.” She shook her head. “I realize I’m telling you something personal and horrible and trust me, I take no pleasure in it. But you asked me what I want, Crispin…Mr. Flynn, and what I want is to protect my sister from a future I have already survived.”
    His face softened, as if he were beginning to understand a little about her. He nodded.
    “So you wish to keep the marriage intact and work something out for how we will proceed?”
    “Wish is a strong word,” she said with a shake of her head. “I believe that may be the best course.”
    To her surprise, he smiled. “It is something to consider.”
    “I think Gemma is correct,” Mrs. Flynn said, breaking the moment between them without even trying. “Crispin, you could make an argument about fraud or duress and it would go to the courts and be dragged