Page 66 of Tempting the Highland Spy
The question caught her off guard. “He will make his home here. But I need to see my home as well. We’re still working out the details.”
“It is such a challenge, blending two lives…even a life as ordinary as mine.”
“Your life is far from ordinary,” Grace said gently, sensing the pain in Belle’s voice.
“Everyone tells me what they think I want to hear, simply because they know I have money. You…you’re different, Grace. You laugh, and you lead me in shenanigans. I adore that about you.”
“We do enjoy our fair share of mischief when we’re together, don’t we?” Grace took another sip of champagne. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the two women from the restaurant. An enormous flower pinned to Lady Edythe’s bodice bobbed up and down as she dodged guests in her path. A matching bloom on her head threatened to topple from her curls. She gave a little wave as she hurried toward them.Drat the luck!Grace had hoped to have at least a short time to speak with Belle far from the ears of the controlling duo.
“Mrs. MacMasters,” Lady Edythe said with a plastered-on grin. “I dosoadore that gown. Is it a Worth?”
She shook her head. “It’s from the House of Margaret.”
Wearing a gown of deep blue silk that gave her pale skin a peculiar cast, Lady Sybil sidled up to Belle. “The House of Margaret?” the older woman repeated with a frown. “I’ve never heard of that.”
Of course Lady Sybil had no knowledge of the establishment, Grace thought with a smile. After all, she’d just made it up. It seemed only fair to credit Mrs. Carmichael after she’d moved heaven and earth to find a lovely gown that fit Grace to perfection on little more than a moment’s notice. The seamstress had managed to alter the dress that had been originally made for another, somewhat larger, woman with a few brilliantly placed darts and seams.
“The designer is quite new. But so very talented.” Grace caught a fistful of emerald silk skirt in her hand and gave it a little swish. “It is beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. That shade complements your coloring,” Belle said as Lady Edythe nodded her agreement.
“We arrived this afternoon,” Lady Edythe said. “I believe we are occupying a room one floor above yours.”
Grace absently twirled a tendril that had escaped her upswept coiffure. “Well, that is a stroke of luck, isn’t it?”
Lady Edythe’s brow furrowed. “Luck? I had not given it any thought.”
“It’s only that…I’m not sure how to say this without being…indelicate. But I will try. It is fortunate you and your niece are staying in a room above us, and not in the reverse. After all, I’d hardly wish to disturb you at night when my husband becomes a bit…enthusiastic.”
“Oh my, Grace, you are a pip,” Belle said with a little wink.
Evidently, Lady Sybil and Lady Edythe did not share Belle’s appreciation. Each pressed her lips together so tightly, it seemed they were in a contest to see who might form the most impenetrable seam.
“Grace and her husband are newlyweds, you see,” Belle added, as if that eased the tension.
“Uh-hem.” Lady Sybil cleared her throat. “I do remember those days when I was a young bride. Rather fondly, actually.”
Lady Edythe’s eyes looked as if they might pop from her head. “Goodness, Aunt Sybil. What’s come over you?”
“Nothing that a little champagne won’t cure,” the older woman said. She flashed a small, surprising smile in Grace’s direction. “You won’t regret marrying a Highland man. You have my word on that.”
At that unexpected dose of wisdom, heat crept over Grace’s cheeks as Belle and Lady Edythe blushed.
Around them, music swelled into a crescendo, the harmonies lush and powerful. Lady Sybil cast her gaze around the ballroom. Her gray eyes brightened. “Ah, there is that dashing fiancé of yours.”
Raibert and Harrison made their way through the crowd. Raibert introduced Harrison as he greeted the women.
Lady Sybil beamed at the sight of him. “I was hoping you might indulge me in a dance. Or two. It’s been so long since I’ve enjoyed a waltz.”
“My favorite dance,” Raibert said, sketching a courtly bow. Catching the slight hike of Grace’s brows at the irony given his previous comment, he threw her a wink.
“I suppose I will have to await my turn,” Belle said pleasantly.
Raibert led Lady Sybil to the dance floor. Harrison moved closer to Grace, near enough to touch her sleeve, to warm her with the heat of his body. She watched the dancers move to the strains of the waltz, their bodies swaying gracefully to the rise and fall of the music.
She turned to Harrison, catching a glimpse of his expression before he had a chance to conceal its nuances. To a casual onlooker, he appeared to be lost in thought, but she noticed the slight tension that marked the set of his chin. She’d seen that look before, every morning when he tried to pretend he was unaffected by her presence in the bedchamber.
She wanted to dance. There’d be no harm in pressing the matter, just a wee bit. After all, their appearance on the ballroom floor would make their ruse all the more convincing.
Boldly, she asked Harrison, “Shall we join them, dear husband?”
