Page 45 of The Marquess's Imperfect Brid
“Lord Hayewood,” Lord Neil said, waving to Gareth. “I must speak with you. It is most urgent.”
Gareth gave him a curt nod, steeling himself. It was not uncommon within the ton for the brother of a noblewoman to misunderstand situations between his sister and another gentleman, and Gareth feared that was what he was now facing. The expression on Lord Neil’s face seemed to corroborate Gareth’s concern, and he was prepared for an argument. But as the men dismounted their steeds, Lord Neil bowed politely, and Gareth saw that there was distress in his eyes, rather than anger.
“Of course, Lord Neil,” he said, returning the bow. “Please, unburden yourself.”
Lord Neil gave a nod similar to Gareth’s as he took another step forward.
“Miss Juliet Gately, Grace’s lady’s maid, confided something in me last night of which I was not aware,” he said. “It would seem that your mother said some very harsh things to my sister on the eve of the ball, and Miss Gately overheard them. Miss Gately is a loyal and trusted member of my family’s staff. However, this morning, our younger sister confirmed the lady’s maid’s story. Grace told her the same things; that the duchess made it perfectly clear that she was not good enough for you and that she should leave you be.”
Gareth’s heart stopped. He had been so busy swimming in self-pity that he had not seen what was right before him. His mother had not been subtle in her dislike for Lady Grace. It made sense that the meddling duchess would corner the woman Gareth loved and try to frighten her away from him. He shook his head, scrambling to find words. How could his mother hurtthe feelings of such a sweet, innocent young lady, just to further her own manipulative agenda?
“Please, try to understand why my sister rejected you,” Lord Neil pleaded. “After speaking with my youngest sister this morning, it is clear to me that Grace loves you. She did not renounce you willingly. She refused to confess her own feelings for you because she believed that it was what she had to do to protect you.”
Gareth nodded, his head spinning. She does love me, he thought, hope temporarily shading over the anger he was beginning to feel toward his mother.
“I shall go to her,” he said, giving Lord Neil another brief bow before returning to his horse. “I cannot express to you how grateful I am for having brought this to my attention.”
Neil gave him a small smile and a nod, but he pointed in the opposite direction from which Gareth had been preparing to go.
“It was my pleasure,” he said. “Grace is not home, however. Our sister managed to convince her to go to the orphanage today. That is where she will likely be for the remainder of the morning.”
Gareth nodded again, giving Lord Neil a grateful look.
“Thank you again, my lord,” he said. “I am forever in your debt for this.”
Lord Neil shook his head, his eyes softening.
“The only debt you owe to me is to ensure my sister’s happiness,” he said. “That is the only repayment I shall accept.”
Gareth smiled despite himself and nodded once more.
“There is nothing more important to me in all of England,” he said.
With that, he turned his horse back in the direction from whence he had been riding. He spurred Lord Hoofer into a sprint, heading straight for the road that would take him to the orphanage. Now that he knew Grace’s heart, there was no timeto lose. He would not allow his mother to cost him the greatest love he would ever know.
The trip was not a long one, yet it felt like the longest one of his life. Each minute felt like an hour, and his impatience grew with each one. He tried to think of what he would say when he saw Lady Grace. He would apologize for his mother, and for the way that her words had wounded Lady Grace. But how would he begin to speak the depth of his feelings for her?
It matters not how, he thought as the orphanage finally came into view. It only matters that I do tell her. And that I make her understand.
He leapt off his horse before they were fully stopped, nearly tangling himself in the stirrups. He raced toward the door, barging in without announcing himself or knocking. He walked through the parlor, just happening to spot Lady Grace before she saw him. She was in the sitting room with Abigail and Lady Millicent, with Lady Whiskers curled happily in her lap, as always. She was even more beautiful than he remembered, and the racing in his heart ceased in favor of skipping.
However, her lovely features were contorted into a serious expression. And the conversation in which she was engaged with the other women appeared to be quite somber. He wanted to approach her and take her into his arms to comfort her sorrow. But despite knowing how inappropriate it was to eavesdrop, he could not force himself to move any closer.
“I am so sorry, darling,” Lady Millicent said softly. “But we are here for you for anything you need.”
Gareth’s pounding heart broke. He did not need to guess why the women were offering their support. They loved her, just as he did, and she would have felt safe opening up to them. And he did not fault her at all for confiding in them. He only sought to ease the pain in her heart.
Before the vicar’s wife could speak, Lady Whiskers liftedher head from her perch in her mistress’s lap. She was the first to sense him, jumping down and running straight to him. She wrapped herself around his legs, leaving a light trail of her long white fur on his pants. He bent down and picked up the cat, earning himself a soft meow in greeting.
This, of course, got the attention of the women. They ceased their conversation, turning to look at what had so suddenly intrigued the cat. When they saw Gareth, there was a mixture of expressions. Lady Millicent looked worried, looking at Lady Grace protectively. Abigail Goodwin wore a warm, sad smile, her eyes filled with sympathy and compassion. And Lady Grace herself looked surprised and frightened. But there was something else there, something he had never seen before. She was happy to see him. Even though she had not yet heard what he had to say.
“Lord Hayewood,” she said, but Gareth held up his hand as he approached her.
“May I speak with you for a moment?” he asked. “Please?”
***
Grace stared at the marquess’s outstretched hand with thoughts that raced faster than her pounding heart. She had blatantly rejected him, no matter how untruthful her declaration of not loving him had been. And yet he stood before her as though he still wanted to be with her. She was sure that she should reject him again. But the love and determination in his eyes told her that she should at least speak with him alone. Even if the end result was that she turned him away from her life yet again.
