Page 32 of The Marquess's Imperfect Brid
What they could not monitor was his mind, which wandered right to Lady Grace. He could imagine how much more interesting and fun the fair would be if he were able to enjoy it with her. He hardly even looked at Lady Cecilia, even when she spoke directly to him. Instead, he found himself continuously looking through the crowds of people, hoping to find Lady Grace.
He was so preoccupied with his thoughts about the lovely woman as he was examining some scarves that Lady Cecilia had insisted that she just needed to see that he did not notice another woman approach on his other side. It was only once he bumped her hand as they reached for the same beautifully woven, dark blue scarf that he realized she was there.
“Oh, my lady,” he said, looking up quickly. “I do apologise. I…” he trailed off as he saw who it was. “Lady Grace. What an absolute delight.”
Lady Grace giggled, releasing the scarf and reluctantly drawing back her hand. Her eyes were wide, and her cheeks were faintly flushed, and she placed a gentle hand on herchest. Gareth wondered if hers was racing like his was at the unexpected contact with her. He was still waiting for the thrills coursing through him to subside.
“What a wonderful surprise,” she said, smiling shyly at him. “Please, if you would like to see this scarf, it is all yours. I simply could not see the texture properly from where I stood.”
On the opposite of him, Lady Cecilia snorted, barely concealing a sardonic laugh. Gareth straightened his shoulders and released her arm. He might have to tolerate Lady Cecilia much of the time. But he refused to reward that childish reaction with the continuation of his presence.
“Perhaps, I will look at it later,” he said. “Would you like to walk with me through the fair for a little while?”
Lady Grace glanced behind her where her sister, friend and lady’s maid stood. They all nodded before turning back to one another and whispering amongst themselves.
“That would be wonderful,” she said.
Gareth grinned at her, offering her his arm as Juliet joined them with a polite smile and a curtsey. He walked away from Lady Cecilia and their parents without a single word, exiting the tent with Lady Grace and tingling as the cool breeze and sunshine touched his skin. He led his new companion away from the tent, and from the glares that he knew would surely be following them until they were out of sight. Then, he turned to Lady Grace, smiling brightly at her.
“What would you like to do?” he asked.
Lady Grace looked around until she saw something that captured her attention.
“Would you like to play the Target Game?” she asked, pointing to a game booth just up the path from where the scarf vendor had been.
Gareth grinned, poking out his chest in a playful manner.
“I could play that game in my sleep, my lady,” he said with ajesting boast.
Lady Grace giggled, sending a thrill up his spine.
“We shall see about that,” she said as she tugged him toward the game.
They had a short wait in line for their turn when they reached the booth, so Gareth turned to Lady Grace with a broad smile.
“How long has it been since you have played this game?” he asked.
Lady Grace thought for a moment before replying.
“It was just a few months before my accident,” she said. “It was the village fair about three years or so ago. Millicent and I came to help with the musical performances that year because Abigail was ill. Reverend Goodwin arrived a couple of hours before the fair ended and relieved us. So, we spent our time playing this target game and one more similar to this.”
Gareth nodded with another wicked grin.
“I would imagine that you are fairly ill practiced, then,” he said.
Lady Grace looked at him as if she were appalled.
“I will show you just what I can do,” she said, hiding another giggle. “Which will be even more impressive with only one good eye.”
When their turn came, Gareth gave the game all his effort. He felt it would not be fair to coddle a woman who meant so much to him by pretending to lack skill and allow her to win the game. But it turned out that even his best was not better than her. She easily won three rounds of the game, pleading for a fourth, tossing the balls effortlessly at the stacks of items.
“I admit that my pride had taken a terrible blow with this game,” he said, giving her the biggest exaggeration of a hurt look. “Perhaps, you should let me exhibit my prowess at the other game you mentioned.”
She lit up like a chandelier, nodding eagerly.
“I would be delighted to have a chance to beat you at that, as well,” she said with a brilliant smile. There was no longer any shyness in her eyes. It seemed that the easy conversation and spirited competition between them had ignited something within her, something which superseded her insecurities. In that moment, she was just like every other woman in the ton who was enjoying herself and feeling true happiness. Gareth’s heart melted as he led her to the operator of a similar game. If he could succeed, he would aim to win a prize just for her.
As luck had it, he was better at that game than at the previous one, albeit only marginally. They played for nearly twenty minutes, for Gareth to finally end up the victor. When it came time to choose a prize, he said nothing as he surveyed the selection. And when he noticed the ideal gift, he pointed, looking at the man.
