Page 47 of Romancing the Scot
“I heard you were taking lunch in your rooms, so I decided to join you, if I may. I hope you don’t mind.”
“I can’t tell you how pleased I am,” Grace responded, crossing to her and taking her hand.
This was exactly what she needed, an opportunity for the two of them to spend time together. Perhaps she could build her courage to say to Jo the things that needed to be said.
A small table near the window was set, and the plates and food were arranged.
“Thank you. That will do very well. We can serve ourselves.” Jo was gracious, but the subtle edge in her tone made Grace focus more closely on the tight lines around her mouth. “I’ll ring when the dishes are ready to be taken away.”
Hugh’s sister seated herself on a sofa, her hands tightly clasped in her lap as the servants left them alone. Tense shoulders, straight back, and eyes that wandered restlessly about the room. Grace knew Jo hadn’t come for lunch, but to talk.
“Please come and sit by me.” She patted the seat next to her.
Grace went to her, ready for whatever came of this.
“Hugh told me what happened today.”
The kiss they shared flashed through her mind, but Grace calmed herself. He would never divulge so personal a moment.
“I am so sorry,” Jo continued. “I’m mortified that you had to be subjected to Lady Nithsdale’s rudeness.”
“There was no harm done,” she responded. She hoped no harm would come of it, anyway.
Jo’s dark eyes focused on Grace’s face. There was a sadness beyond the somber tone.
“He mentioned your agitation. He told me you want to leave Baronsford. That can’t be. I won’t allow it. I don’t want you to go.”
But the time had come. Grace had to speak the truth and be done with this plague of pretense. Unfortunately, she had no chance as Jo continued.
“I am appalled by that woman and her lack of propriety. She is a poison. I’ve come to believe she lives for the sole purpose of spoiling lives.”
“Encounters like today are unavoidable,” Grace said softly, deciding that she needed to ease into her confession. “I’m a stranger here. It was only to be expected that sooner or later curiosity would lead neighbors to your door.”
“This is more than idle curiosity. Lady Nithsdale’s mission in life is to meddle in others business. It is insidious that some women take it as their vocation to spread falsehoods about others and ruin futures.”
Grace was not about to dispute Jo’s response. She knew other women like that, and Hugh’s sister certainly understood her neighbors better. But perhaps she was upset at the possibility of the rumors that could soon be bandied about the tea and card tables of the area. Grace imagined how shocking it was that they found her out riding with the viscount unchaperoned. She was only a brief visitor at Baronsford. She cared little for her own reputation.
The only thing about today’s encounter that distressed Grace personally had nothing to do with Lady Nithsdale, but with her houseguest.
“I can’t tell you how much I abhor that woman.”
The hard intensity in Jo’s voice startled Grace. These words were not used lightly. Jo’s hands were fisted in her lap. Her dark eyes were focused on a line of treetops outside of the window. She imagined a different battle was being fought in her companion’s mind. The root of these feelings regarding Lady Nithsdale had to be planted long before now.
“She’s done you personal wrong in the past, hasn’t she?”
There was no concealing the emotions. Jo’s gaze grew misty.
“What’s wrong? What has she done to you?” Grace took her friend’s hand. Suddenly, her own troubles slipped to the side. Feelings of protectiveness surged through her.
Jo’s fingers were ice cold. She shook her head once and bit her lip. The past rolled in like a fast-traveling storm. So many times in her own life Grace had no one to turn to. No friend. No confidante. She learned early that she couldn’t commandeer her father’s attention for what he considered feminine woes.
“I know I haven’t earned your trust,” she said. “And I’ve certainly done nothing to deserve it. But you’ve shown me only kindness. You selflessly spent days caring for me and giving me this second chance at life. It hurts me to see you like this.”
Tears beaded on Jo’s face like pearls.
“Too many years have passed.” She dashed the droplets away. “It’s not right that I should still hold such loathing in my heart. I should let it go. But seeing Hugh’s anger at Lady Nithsdale scratched open a very old wound.”
It was Grace’s nature to speak her mind. She was never good at holding back. She’d lost friends because of it. Still, there was no relief like allowing one’s temper to explode, especially when you were certain you were in the right. Jo, she knew now, was the exact opposite. She kept her troubles hidden inside. Perhaps, her heartaches, as well.
