Far Beyond Scandalous by Bethany Sefchick Page A

irrelevant to this directive.   Besides, as far as she knew, that situation had been resolved
years ago, shortly after it had initially occurred.   "Isn't that what young, unmarried ladies do?   Go out in society?   Attend balls and musicales and other events?"
    "That
was my understanding, yes."   He
tucked the paper back in with the others and tied them back up in a neat bundle
before moving them to a desk drawer.   She was not surprised when he locked the drawer and then pocketed the
key.   That was Gibson.   Ever careful and ever vigilant.
    "Still,
it is abundantly clear that your father wanted you to be seen out and about,
not tucked way at home, even if it is to nurse your mother back to health.   Which, might I add, is a very noble
thing."   Gibson looked directly at
Amy, making it clear that he had already guessed that was precisely what she
had been intending to do with her time now that it was not to be tied up in
running the estate.   "Therefore, we
must make appropriate arrangements for you to do just that.   You need to attend the balls, musicales and
other amusements you have already accepted invitations to, as well as agree to
new entertainments."
    Amy
raised her chin a fraction of an inch, hoping she achieved the right look of
defiance on her face.   Gibson wasn't the
only aristocrat in the room, though he was certainly acting like it, much to
her dismay.   Gone was the tender lover
from the night before who had kissed her so passionately, and in his place was
the panther-like viscount, cool, calculating, and always in control.   How he could switch from one mask to another
so easily she did not know, but neither did it matter.   She could play this game just as well as he.
    She
would not be told what to do, not even by Gibson.   She might have put her dreams for the future on hold, but that
did not mean she would surrender her dream of freedom completely.   He would not order her about.   She would not tolerate it.   "And if I refuse?   If I wish to remain here?"
    "I
do not know," Gibson admitted truthfully, some of his hauteur falling away
to reveal the man she remembered, "but if you do not abide by that
directive, someone, probably Michaels, will know that Marcus is not in charge
of the earldom.   For if your brother
was, there would be no question that you would follow this directive, no matter
how obstinate you like to be on occasion."   Her strong-mindedness was one of the things that Gibson adored
about her, though he suspected that now was not the best time to mention that,
especially since he needed her to be rather biddable at the moment.
    Amy
winced a bit at his words.   She had
rather hoped that he didn't know about her tendency to flout convention.   However, she suspected he probably already
had a pretty good idea about her behavior.   He also had a very valid point, much as she hated to admit it.   "And if it is discovered that Marcus
isn't in charge..."
    "People
will find out how serious his illness is, and how close to death he was when he
departed for Bath.   They might possibly
even discover that his condition has not improved as much as we had hoped it
would," Gibson finished for her.   He did not need to lecture her.   She knew the dangers of exposing Marcus' true condition to society.   "I know you do not want that."
    No,
that was the last thing Amy wanted.   If
society knew how dire her brother's situation was, there would be immense
pressure to send him to Bedlam.   He did
not need that.   He would recover his
wits and his health.   She was certain of
it.   He only needed time, which was
precisely what the extended trip to Bath was intended to provide.   She did not need Michaels, or others for
that matter, poking into the Cheltenham family business just because she was
not fulfilling her father's explicit wishes.   She might be headstrong, but she was not stupid, nor did she wish her
family harm.
    "Very
well."   She intended to be
practical and