Page 75 of Romancing the Scot
His lips brushed against her brow. “Very well, do it. Write the letter. But I’m telling you now that if she writes back and asks where the diamond is, she’ll need to send her own courier to retrieve it. You will not be risking your life to deliver it.”
“That sounds fair,” she agreed. Grace stole a kiss from his lips when he smiled down at her.
They were hidden from the others by the night and the gloom of the woods, but still there was a chance that those who rode behind had espied what she’d just done. She didn’t care. An impenetrable veil obscured the future, but for today and tomorrow and however many days belonged to them, there was no weight on her heart. She loved Hugh and he loved her. These were the only essential truths she needed right now.
The woods parted ahead and Baronsford came into view. Torches flared, illuminating the front courtyard even at this distance. Candles flickered in a dozen windows. Jo was making certain that the warm light of welcome shone into the darkness. Grace thought of her and the pleasing possibility of having Jo as a sister. She imagined the moment when she would hear the news.
Grace pulled away from Hugh’s side and straightened her skirt. But that couldn’t happen. Not yet. His gaze searched her face.
“If you please, we need to keep any word of . . . of our attachment private.”
“You’re saying I shouldn’t tell Jo.”
“I believe it would be easier. If the Prince Regent’s decision is not what you want, the less we need to explain, the better for everyone.” Grace knew her friend hoped she and Hugh would form this attachment. Jo would be very disappointed if she thought there had been a chance that didn’t work out.
“Believe what you will, but my head will be delivered on a platter if Jo hasn’t been informed of our news before my parents arrive.”
Grace’s heart sank. “When are your parents arriving?”
“Let me see. They left London when Jo did. They’ve been touring the Lake Country and visiting friends there. The letter I sent should reach them by tomorrow latest.” He flashed her a smile. “They should be here by Tuesday.”
“You told them?”
“Of course. They are my parents. I couldn’t very well announce to the Prince Regent our intention to marry and not tell them.”
Grace drew a deep breath. She’d have done the same thing in his position. She’d never have kept such news from her father.
“What if I’d refused?”
He leaned toward her. His lips were a whisper away. “After last night, there was no chance of that.”
She loved this man. He already knew her too well.
“But nothing is definite. No planning. No hoping,” she reminded him. “Perhaps you can write to your parents again and explain the logic behind my thinking.”
“I’m afraid there’s very little chance of that.”
“But . . .” As she started to argue, he kissed her lips, silencing her.
“And Jo has to be told,” he continued. “I’m quite certain that within moments of reading that letter, my mother will have written to the rest of the family.”
Grace covered her face with her hands. But there were still too many things that could go wrong. The Prince Regent’s decision was crucial, but she worried about Hugh’s family’s reaction. Lord and Lady Aytoun might not want a penniless, Scots-Irish rebel as a daughter-in-law. Talk about scandal.
Hugh reined in the horses and peeled her hands off her face. They’d arrived at Baronsford.
“Don’t worry, my love. I’ll find the right moment and soften Jo up before I give her our news. But you should know that she’ll be the most difficult one to win over.”
* * *
Hugh and Jo went off in the morning to attend the Sunday service, but Grace decided to stay at Baronsford. She was a stranger here, and she could only guess at the rumors circulating about her. Still, if she could help it, she didn’t want to bring any extra attention to herself or the Penningtons. She had no desire to meet the local gentry at church right now, for it would surely mean subsequent social calls, and she preferred to remain in the shadows.
Escaping to Hugh’s study, she buried her head in the law books. She had more to do in her research for the Campbell case. When she looked up several hours later, the sun was streaming in the windows.
Grace had no doubt she’d face plenty of scrutiny once Hugh’s parents arrived. She’d only been at Baronsford for less than a month. She wouldn’t fault Lord and Lady Aytoun if they worried whether their son had formed a connection too hastily. Any good parent would worry about her motive. Hugh was a prize for any woman, but they might not find her to be good enough for their heir.
Grace loved him. And she knew his matching words were the absolute truth. But that wasn’t enough. Her background, her parentage, her family’s affiliation with the French emperor and his brother and Queen Julie. The list went on endlessly, and their objections could as well. Grace would be terribly naïve if she thought they would be pleased to have their son marry someone like her.
And all of this worry was over and above the question of the Prince Regent’s decision.
