Page 26 of The Marquess's Imperfect Brid
“I am uncertain of what you mean, Father,” Gareth said, immediately regretting the words when his mother’s eyes lockedfirmly onto him.
“What he means is your continuous fraternizing with that woman,” she said. The disgust in her voice left him with no need to ask to whom she referred. Of course, she meant Lady Grace. And that cruelty in her voice and her inability to even say the beautiful woman’s name furthered his frustration. “She would never be a suitable match for you, due to her impairments. And yet, you follow her around as though you believe that her blemishes will just one day disappear and make her a good bride for you.”
Gareth tensed, resisting the urge to let his anger fill the room. He could not understand how people could be so cruel, especially in society, where everyone was supposed to be so refined and cultured. Indeed, it seemed to be that very culture which made people feel entitled to judge people they deemed to be less perfect than they were. He desperately wished that he could defend Lady Grace and try to explain the beauty and worth of the lovely young lady that he saw within her.
Before he could respond, however, Caroline set aside her cutlery with a loud clink, startling both his parents into brief silence.
“Perhaps, it is not our place to judge the qualities that make a person worthy of love and respect,” she said.
Her voice was gentle, but her words were pointed and deliberate. She met Gareth’s gaze with a knowing one of her own, and his heart was soothed by her defense of Lady Grace.
The duchess was far less impressed. She sneered, regarding her sister-in-law with disdain.
“It is our place to see that we give ourselves the best in life,” she said. “And some things are simply not in our best interest.”
Caroline did not look disturbed. Rather, she looked pleased with herself when she spoke again.
“True character is what is most important within nobility,”she said. “Especially for those with higher statuses. And I believe that Lady Grace has a heart of gold.”
Gareth could not help smiling at his aunt’s words. He knew she was right, of course. And he knew that his parents would likely never see that. But thinking of how kind and compassionate she was brought a ray of light into his heart, despite the coldness of the discussion in which he was involved.
Before his parents could say anything further, the dining room door opened, and Lady Cecilia and her parents entered. The entire atmosphere changed, save for one final withering glare from the duchess to Gareth. Then, she smiled as the duke briefly rose from his seat and motioned to their guests.
“Good morning,” he said, suddenly jovial and warm. “Please, come and join us.”
The Bingham family murmured their gratitude, each member of their family too focused on separate members of the Darnall family to concentrate on polite exchanges. The countess and duchess exchanged knowing glances, while the duke and earl gave satisfied nods to one another. Lady Cecilia wasted no time in launching into a discussion about the house party’s upcoming events.
Gareth, however, paid none of them any heed. He looked at his aunt, who was smiling slyly at him. He gave her a nod and a wide grin, trying to convey with his eyes how thankful he was for her support. She silently raised her water glass to him and gave him a wink, letting him know that she understood. It was only by her grace that he would survive the rest of the meal. And he decided that was good enough for him. At least, for the moment, Lady Grace’s honor and character had been defended, and he was free from the continuation of a conversation about marrying Lady Cecilia. It was a small victory, but one he gladly accepted.
Chapter Fifteen
Grace was seldom astonished by the avidity with which the children attended to her performance of the more intricate compositions, which she had chosen to exemplify the myriad possibilities available to her pupils as they pursued their cultivation of music. Nor did she find it surprising that they executed her every direction at the pianoforte or with their vocal arts with such spirited zeal when called upon. It was as though she was transported into an entirely different realm each time she had the distinct privilege of serving the children in her capacity as their music instructor.
With them and the music, there were no insecurities or hurtful words whispered from poorly concealed lips. There was only her, her beloved musical compositions and a room filled with children who, for those brief hours, smiled and laughed and enjoyed themselves, just as all children should.
As she assisted Susan with the final notes of a piece, the children’s ecstatic applause and brilliant smiles gave Grace incomparable fulfillment. Their delight and varying degrees of skill and success with each lesson would always be the only form of payment she would ever need. She could not imagine charging any sum of money to teach something about which she was so passionate. Especially in moments like those. To her, she felt as though the children helped and taught her just as much as she taught them. She considered herself to be very fortunate to have such a wonderful opportunity to show them the same joy and comfort that she found in music.
“That is all for today, children,” she said with the faint but notable heaviness that filled the air at the end of each lesson. “I do hope that you will all practice and be ready for next time.”
The children all nodded eagerly as they took turns saying their farewells to Lady Whiskers.
“I will know every song by heart, Lady Grace,” a ten-year-old boy named Jacob said.
Grace giggled at the boy’s enthusiasm as she rose and nodded.
“I look forward to hearing them,” she said, giving Juliet a small wink as they prepared to leave.
Abigail met them at the door, giving the women her warm, gentle smile.
“Grace, your performance was remarkable, as always,” she said. “It is as if each piece was written specifically for your hands to play.”
Grace blushed, humbled as always by the vicar’s wife’s praise.
“You are too kind, as always, Abigail,” she said. “Music is simply a blessing which I am delighted to share.”
Abigail nodded, folding her hands together gently in front of her.
“That much was clear to me when I first heard you play years ago,” she said. “Indeed, it is that very passion and love for music which leads me to an important question. Would you be willing to perform at the upcoming musicale we are hosting after the village’s annual charity ball for the children?”
