Page 7 of The Marquess's Imperfect Brid
Grace nodded, gazing proudly at her friend. Her father, a very wealthy merchant, was equally as proud of Millicent and her charity work as Grace’s own father was of her. He would never refuse her the funds to further her charitable efforts. And Millicent was always eager to do more for the less fortunate. Especially the children.
“You are such a kind woman, Millie,” she said.
Abigail brought in the tea just as the women settled into their seats. Millicent immediately began speaking about an upcoming ball she would be attending, instantly reminding Grace of the house party that her family was to host. Her previous anxiety returned, and she struggled to concentrate on her friend’s words. She did not wish to dampen the high spirits in the room. But nor did she find herself able to share in the excitement about the season. Especially now that she knew that her parents would be inviting the ton into their home, despite their judgments and tactless words.
“Grace, dear, you have that brow furrow,” Abigail said after a few moments. “And your shoulders look as though they are dragging a carriage behind you. What troubles you?”
Millicent instantly stopped talking and looked at Grace, concerned.
“Heavens,” she said, looking at Grace sheepishly. “I just prattle on sometimes. I see now that you are upset about something. Please, tell us. We will listen.”
Grace bit her lip, glancing at Juliet. The lady’s maid gave her a reassuring smile and an encouraging nod, and Grace turned her gaze back to her friend and the kindly vicar’s wife. She quickly explained the plan her parents had to reinstate theirannual house party, and how it was making her feel. As she expected, the women listened with nothing but compassion and sympathy.
“Oh, my darling Gracie,” Millicent said, embracing Grace when she finished speaking. “I understand how overwhelming this must feel right now, but I have always seen you as a remarkable source of strength. I believe, without a doubt, that the rest of society will come to recognize that as well.”
Abigail nodded with an empathetic stare.
“You certainly are,” she said. “Surviving such a horrific accident was a feat in itself. And everything you have overcome since has been nothing short of miraculous. The physician himself did not know how you might be affected permanently. But you healed from your injuries, and you are still one of the kindest and most loving people I have the pleasure of knowing.”
Grace smiled and nodded, trying to open herself to the comfort that the words offered.
“That is very kind of you both,” she said. “I just hope that the ton sees it that way, especially in my family’s own home.”
Millicent nodded firmly, as though exceedingly confident in herself before she spoke again.
“If they do not, that speaks more about them than it ever will about you,” she said with another warm smile. “And do bear in mind that I shall be right there to offer my support as well. I would not dream of missing this ball for all the world.”
Grace reveled in the momentary relief she felt at her friend’s words.
“What would I ever do without you?” she asked, embracing her friend again.
Yet when tea had finished, and she, Juliet and Lady Whiskers were heading back to Farenley Manor, Grace’s mind slipped back into the darker thoughts. The gossip mongers might be polite when she was present. But nothing would stopthem from whispering about her when she was not, as they had since word of her accident had first spread. And part of her thought it would be better to be directly confronted with their stares of pity and words of judgment than to know it was occurring when she was not there to observe. It would hurt her feelings even more, she knew. But it would show a little more respect than the relentless gossiping. That would surely be better for her. Would it not?
“Milady, the distress is very evident on your face,” Juliet said, snapping Grace out of her self-pitying darkness. “Have you considered asking your parents to abandon the house party plans? Or perhaps, at least telling them that you will not participate or interact with the guests?”
Grace shook her head with a sigh.
“I know that I could,” she said. “All I would need do is to tell Mother and Father that I was not ready. But I cannot spoil something so important to not only them, but to my siblings, as well. They deserve to be happy and enjoy the company of their friends and peers. I cannot bring myself to destroy that for them.”
Juliet looked at Grace with admiration in her eyes.
“And this is why everyone says that you are so kind and generous,” she said. “You will sacrifice anything for those who matter most to you. Even now, instead of locking yourself away and fretting over the house party all alone, you chose to spend your morning giving the orphans their scheduled music lesson. Even in times of distress for you, you are still determined to spread warmth and joy to others. Especially those children. This is why your scars do not, and never will, define you, Lady Grace. It is also why those closest to you adore and admire you so much.”
Grace blushed, smiling shyly. She was always humbled by such praise and kindness from her friends and family. She didnot know if she would ever see what they saw in herself. But she did almost always feel better after the encouragement and comfort. Despite her disfigurement, she was fortunate to have loved ones who cared so much about her. And because of their support, she was able to pursue endeavors that fulfilled a greater purpose beyond the shallow confines of societal expectations. As nervous as she was about the house party, she could find a bit of solace in that knowledge.
Chapter Four
Gareth left his father’s study looking far calmer than he felt. He had wanted to tell his father that he had no business making such important decisions for Gareth when he had only just returned home. He had wanted to inform the duke that he would not consider a union with the likes of Lady Cecilia if she were the last woman in the ton who could produce an heir. But he knew better than to argue with his father, especially when they had company. So instead, he decided to try to avoid his father. At least until he had had some time to sort through his thoughts.
After a quick change of clothes, from the crisp, ivory colored suit expected of a marquess to a simple gray linen riding outfit, Gareth headed to the stables. One thing that always helped him collect his thoughts when his duties and the expectations of his family and impending duties became too cumbersome was a nice horseback ride.
Once the stable hand saddled his beloved white stallion, Lord Hoofer, Gareth led the animal out of the stables, nudging him into a swift gallop that quickly carried him away from the suffocating oppression inside his aunt’s home. He adored Caroline. However, at that moment, he wanted to be anywhere but at her grand, beautiful estate. Anywhere that would keep him away from Lady Cecilia and the insufferable ideas that he should marry her.
The wind felt like giant cool fingers as it whipped through his dark hair. The pounding of his stallion’s hooves beneath him was steady and rhythmic, lulling him into a state of calm, even as the sound mirrored the turmoil within his mind. It was a great relief to be out riding on such a nice day. But he could not forget what weighed on him that sent him fleeing from his aunt’s estatein the first place.
He knew that he could never give into his father’s demands. And he certainly was not about to let another person’s father, however wealthy or influential he claimed to be, have any say in his future. He could not imagine himself sacrificing his own happiness and desires for the future solely because someone else told him to do so. He would be duke one day, after all. How could he reign in his office with the knowledge that someone else had chosen his path for him?
But he also knew that he could not shirk his duties and responsibilities. Being a duke was not something to take lightly, nor was ensuring the continuation of the family bloodline and legacy. The fact added heaviness to Gareth’s already plagued mind. It was for that very reason that he felt he should choose his own bride. It would be he who spent the rest of his life with her, after all, not any member of his family, or of hers. And should they produce children, he felt he should be certain that she would be a good mother.
