Page 47 of The Marquess's Imperfect Brid
Anne approached them, wrapping both her siblings in a tight embrace.
“As will I,” she said with a tearful giggle.
Grace pulled away to smile warmly at her siblings. She could hardly believe that she was blessed not only with the best family in all of London, but soon to be the best husband, as well. The changes ahead might take some adjustment. But she knew how fortunate she was in that moment.
“Thank you,” she said again.
The next day, when the knock came, she waited eagerly inthe doorway of the music room, anticipating Gareth’s arrival. He had gone out of town for a business meeting, but he was due back that day. When the butler announced the caller, however, Grace’s heart dropped.
“Lady Grace,” he said, his expression grave. “The Duchess of Darendale has just arrived.”
Grace gasped. She could not imagine what the duchess could want with her, especially with Gareth not also present. But when her future mother-in-law appeared, she forced a weak smile.
“Good day, Your Grace,” she said, curtseying.
The duchess nodded, not returning the curtsey. But there was something in her eyes that took Grace by surprise. She was not sure what it was, but it made Grace think of a scolded child. She stepped aside with a silent gesture for the duchess to join her in the room. The women took their seats and Grace braced herself for whatever the duchess had to say.
Before either of them could speak, however, Gareth burst into the room.
“Mother,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “What are you doing here?”
The duchess patted the sofa beside her, her expression unreadable. Grace’s heart was racing as her betrothed entered the room. What was the meaning of this strange visit? And why would the duchess want Gareth there to witness the encounter with Grace, knowing how upset he still was with her about the things she had said to Grace at the ball almost one month prior?
“I had expected to speak with the two of you separately,” she said, looking at Grace with wide, almost sad eyes. “But it is fortunate that I have caught you two together.”
Gareth looked at his mother skeptically as he moved to sit beside Grace, rather than the duchess. Grace felt weak with relief as her betrothed took her hand in his own and squeezed it softly.
“Why?” he asked. “What is the meaning of this?”
His repetition of his question sounded more agitated and wary than his first inquiry. The duchess acknowledged the growing frustration with a gentle nod of her head and a faint smile.
“I was terrible to Lady Grace,” she said, bluntly enough to completely shock Grace. “And I would try to make amends, with both of you, if you will allow me to do so.”
Grace’s heart stopped. The duchess had all but threatened her to stay away from Gareth because of her scars, which were something she could not help. She had nearly caused Grace to make the biggest mistake of her life by walking away from Gareth and the life she was just days away from beginning and sharing with him. And yet as she sat looking at the woman who had once been so cruel, who now looked so contrite and remorseful, she felt nothing but compassion.
Gareth, however, spoke before she could accept the offer for the duchess’s amends.
“What has spurred this change of heart, Mother?” he asked with suspicion. “What makes you think that Grace can simply forget how you told her that she was not good enough for me?”
The duchess looked at her son with tears in her eyes. It was enough to change Gareth’s expression from one of protective cynicism to wary pity.
“I have no excuses for what I have done,” she said. “But my reasons for apologizing are altruistic, I assure you. I was wrong about Cecilia, and her family as well. I feel horrible for my part in trying to see you married to her. And I now know that I was wrong about Grace, too. I made a judgment based on appearance, just as I did with Cecilia. And I was wrong about both. Perhaps, I do not deserve forgiveness. But both of you deserve an apology. I merely came to see that you received one.”
Grace looked at Gareth, who looked at her with wide eyes. His mother had clearly surprised him, and he looked as confusedas she felt. She offered her betrothed a warm smile and a nod of encouragement before turning back to the duchess.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said, glancing at Gareth again with a pointed look. “I appreciate your apology. And I assure you that all is forgiven. I understand that you were only concerned for the best interest of your son. I cannot fault a mother for caring about the future of her children.”
The duchess looked at Grace with the same surprise that her son possessed. She shook her head, reaching out a hand for Grace to take, which she did.
“This is precisely what I mean,” she said, squeezing Grace’s hand. “I was terribly wrong about you. You are the kindest young lady I have ever met.”
Gareth seemed to come to his senses, as he finally spoke.
“That is what I tried to tell you,” he said.
The duchess nodded.
“I know, darling,” she said. “I can never apologise enough. I can only hope that you see how sincere I am and that you can forgive me one day.”
