Page 93 of The Outcast's Redemption
‘Thank you. But I am aware this leaves you in a very difficult situation. I know better than anyone that your father’s finances are very limited. The marriage settlement—he was looking to me to provide for you.’
‘I shall explain it all to Papa. I hope...’ Something was blocking her throat and she was obliged to swallow hard before continuing. ‘I hope he will be pleased that I am not leaving him, after all.’
‘And there will be speculation. With everything that has happened people will talk.’
She put up her chin. ‘It will die down once it is seen that you still come to the vicarage.’ She added, with an attempt at humour, ‘I trust you do not intend to cut our acquaintance, Loftus?’
‘No, indeed.’ Some of the anxiety left his face. He picked up her hand and kissed it. ‘Thank you, Grace. I had no reason to expect such understanding from you. I shall go home and speak to Claire immediately!’
Grace was so lost in her own thoughts that his last words did not register until he had quit the room.
‘Loftus, wait!’ She jumped up, but the soft thud of the front door told her he had left without her. No matter. She would ask Croft to arrange a carriage for her.
She sank down on the sofa. She should find Wolf and tell him she was no longer betrothed, but her heart quailed. It was one thing to succumb to him in the heat of the moment, quite another to offer herself so blatantly. And for what? A few months of happiness, until his restless spirit wanted to move on. Then he would leave her, or worse, he would stay and she would watch his love slowly dying. The unhappiness she had kept in check all morning now welled up and she dropped her head in her hands.
‘Why are you weeping?’
The childish voice had Grace hunting for her handkerchief. She had not heard the door open, but now little Florence was standing before her, regarding her with her dark, serious eyes.
‘I am being very foolish, I beg your pardon.’ Grace wiped her eyes and smiled. ‘Were you sent to fetch me?’
‘No, I was looking for my father,’ said Florence, climbing on to the sofa beside her. ‘I wanted to see him. Diana said he was too ill yesterday and she would take Meggie and me to the drawing room this evening before dinner, but that issucha long time to wait.’
‘It is indeed.’
‘And he ismypapa, not Meggie’s, and I want to see himfirst,’ declared Florence.
‘Of course. I can quite understand that.’
‘But I am a little bit frightened,’ Florence confided. ‘Will you come with me?’
‘Me?’ asked Grace, startled. ‘No, no, I could not.’
‘Why not? He likes you. I heard Aunt Diana and Lady Phyllida talking about it when they came upstairs last night. They said...’ Florence screwed up her face as she tried to remember. ‘They said he should marry you and settle down at Arrandale Hall, and I could come and live with you.’
‘Oh.’ Blushing, Grace slipped an arm around the little girl’s shoulders. She said gently, ‘I am not going to marry your father, Florence.’
‘Why not? Is it because of me? Perhaps you would rather have babies of your own.’
Grace’s blush deepened.
‘No, it is not you, sweetheart. Your papa does not want to marry me.’
‘But Lady Phyllida said she had never seen two people more in love.’ Florence fixed her candid eyes upon Grace. ‘Isn’t it true?’
Looking into those innocent eyes, Grace was unable to tell a lie.
‘Well, I lovehim,’ she said sadly. ‘With all my heart and soul, but he does not love me in the same way.’
Something made her look round. Wolf was in the doorway and suddenly Grace was on fire with mortification. How long had he been standing there?
She was aware of Florence shrinking closer and she put aside her own concerns. She forced herself to speak cheerfully.
‘Ah, so there you are, sir. Florence came here in search of you.’
‘And I was looking forher.’
‘Then I shall leave you alone. If you will excuse me.’
