Page 83 of The Miracle of Love
Pain etched her eyes.
Bollocks, she still thought he was going to leave her at the end of this assignment.
Well, hopefully his plans for tonight would convince her otherwise.
Rattling aimlessly about the house had left her with nothing to do but fret. Grace’s nature was not to indulge in her own misery but to worry about the comfort of others. In this instance, it was for her mother and siblings and their deprivation.
He hoped Donal and Lorcan had been able to do something for Lady Montford. While outside of Grace’s hearing, he had asked for their help and given them funds to apply for her benefit and that of her children.
He dared not say anything to Grace about his efforts, for his cousins had the crown to return and plenty of Brayden family obligations to occupy them. They might not have been able to do anything for her mother yet.
Christmas was tomorrow.
It could not come soon enough for him.
If his plans for tonight did not work, he wasn’t certain what else to do.
He took Grace’s hands and nudged her out of the chair. “Come on, I am taking you out.”
She laughed. “Are you serious? Where?”
“You are in need of a new gown for tonight. Our excursion ought to be safe enough at this hour. Just one shop. We’ll slip in and out fast. I’m sure Mrs. Hyde will know of the best dressmaker in town.”
“Deklan, have you forgotten this is the day before Christmas? Even at the quietest times of the year it is impossible to simply walk into a shop and out with a gown.” Even though she was shaking her head, he could tell by the sparkle in her eyes that she was delighted at the prospect.
This is all he wanted, to see her smile and be carefree for a little while.
“Besides, why would I need a new gown?”
“I may not be able to take you anywhere, but there is no reason we cannot have our own elegant party right here.”
“You really are a leopard lost up in that tree of yours. Do you know what goes into preparing for a party? Or properly dressing a lady? The modiste will never be able to finish even one of her simplest designs for me by tonight, not even if she engages a team of seamstresses. It is an impossible task.”
He still had hold of her hands. “We’ll see. Come on, we are wasting precious time.”
“Well, if you are going to be stubborn about it. All right.”
Her laughter touched his heart.
He began shouting through the house for Mrs. Hyde. The woman came scrambling out of the kitchen, worried something was wrong. Then she shook her head and gently chided him for alarming her when she noticed their broad smiles.
“We need the name of the best dressmaker’s shop in Brighton. My wife must have a new gown for tonight.”
“Captain Driscoll, that will be Mrs. Galbraith’s shop but I doubt she will be able to–”
“She’ll get it done. Just give us the direction. Grace, love…get your cloak. I’ve hired a carriage and driver from the stable. He’s waiting for us outside.”
“You’ve planned this out?” She blushed and ran upstairs to get her things.
He turned to Mrs. Hyde and spoke quietly. “Has your husband purchased the decorations?”
“Yes, just as you requested.”
“Good.” He and Grace were going to spend the night putting up holly boughs and red velvet ribbons to celebrate the holiday. He knew Grace would enjoy it and get into the Christmas spirit because she was a traditional girl at heart. “And the wassail bowl?”
“All will be done to your instructions. What a sweet thing you are doing for your wife.”
He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “In truth, Mrs. Hyde, I would do anything for her.”
