Page 14 of The Marquess's Imperfect Brid
When at last Gareth could not postpone the endeavor any longer, he turned to face Lady Cecilia, who had remained at his side despite his many attempts to escape and find Thomas. He stuck out his arm, careful to remain in view of his mother as hedid so and gave her a stiff smile.
“Would you care to dance?” he asked.
The blond woman beamed as though he had asked her to marry him right where they stood.
“I would be honoured,” she said, clinging fiercely to his arm.
Gareth swallowed bile as he led her onto the floor. He wanted nothing more than to be dancing with Lady Grace. But he knew that if he did not dance with Lady Cecilia at least once, there would be no peace for him that night, or any other, for that matter. That might still be the case once he abandoned her after the dance. But at least then, he could point out that parties were meant for mingling, especially for men who were to become duke someday.
The dance, a simple cotillion, seemed to drag on forever. He forced himself through the steps, choking back more nausea each time Lady Cecilia smiled up at him. He noticed several gentlemen looking at her, which had him utterly bewildered. He had to remind himself that they knew nothing of her true personality. And likely, many of them did not care. She was lovely on the outside, and she seemed quite accomplished to anyone who was not actually listening when she spoke. That was good enough for most gentlemen to wish to make her their wife. But Gareth knew who she truly was. And worse than her shallowness was her ability to be cruel to someone who had had something tragic and life altering happen to her, through no fault of her own. She might have a pretty face, but she had a hideous soul. And nothing could make a lifetime with her worth her blond curls, rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes.
He tuned out her chatter as he gazed across the ballroom. He noticed that Lady Grace was dancing with a gentleman who bore a striking resemblance to her. He assumed it was her brother, as their smiles were nearly identical. His heart broke, even as he watched her laugh at some silly antic he was pullingas they danced. Could other gentlemen truly not see what he saw in her? And then, another thought occurred to him as he continued ignoring the insufferable Lady Cecilia. Would he want them to see what he saw in Lady Grace?
Chapter Eight
For the time she spent dancing with Neil which she did three times that evening, Grace allowed herself to relax and enjoy herself. Neil, just like Anne, had always adored her, and he had not looked at her any differently after the accident. Even when he first saw her after the physician removed the bandages and her mother coaxed her into joining the family for dinner that evening, he had kissed that side of her face and smiled lovingly at her as he always had when she entered the dining room, without batting an eye.
He had even gotten involved in three separate altercations with men whom he overheard speaking cruelly and disrespectfully about Grace in the months following her accident. Their father had had to go to great lengths to ensure that Neil’s membership to White’s was not revoked due to some arguments in which he had defended her. She knew without a doubt that her older brother loved her, and she knew she would always be safe with him.
After their final dance ended, however, she was once more made aware of the stares. Neil had gotten better at ignoring them, with her urging and pleading over the years not to land himself in trouble with the authorities. But she could see on his face that he was no less angry about the whispers than he used to be. He only smiled each time he gave her a reassuring glance, but his eyes were otherwise cold and filled with a silent challenge to anyone who dared speak louder than a murmur.
Neil escorted Grace to the refreshment tables, where he fetched her a glass of white wine and a glass of punch. He gave her a big grin, though the fog of bitterness at the gossipers was slow to dissipate in his eyes.
“I did not know which you would want,” he said, holding out both glasses. “I will take whichever you reject.”
Grace laughed, taking both glasses playfully before holding out the punch toward him.
“Thank you, dear Brother,” she said.
Neil took the punch and raised a silent toast, which Grace returned before they sipped their drinks. He glanced around the room, seeming to try to ground himself as he waved to someone Grace could not see. Then, he turned back to Grace, putting a protective arm around her shoulders.
“Do you want me to stay here with you for a little while?” he asked. “I hardly see three women here with whom I might even consider dancing. And you are two of those three.”
Grace laughed, giving her brother a teasingly horrified look.
“So, you only considered dancing with me?” she asked, giggling again as he rolled his eyes.
“You are, and always will be, the exception to that,” he said. “But really, Sister. Do you need me to keep you company?”
Grace sighed, trying not to allow her disappointment to show. She refused to ruin her brother’s evening just because she felt insecure. But if he saw her looking as nervous as she had been earlier, she would not be able to get rid of him even if she tried.
“I will be fine,” she said, forcing her tone to imply that he was worrying needlessly, as he had when they were children. “Millicent is here, and I will talk with her when she gets a moment off the floor.”
Neil studied his sister, glancing around at the guests who had suddenly lost all interest in looking at Grace. Then, he smiled at her once more, giving her a slow nod.
“Very well,” he said. “But should you change your mind, come and find me at once. It is hardly any trouble at all to sit with my sister and gossip about all these snobs.”
He spoke with a small amount of unnecessary loudness. Some people glanced at him, but most kept their eyes and their input to themselves. Grace bit her lip to suppress a giggle, succeeding only in uttering a little snort. Neil grinned, pleased that he had made his sister laugh. He kissed her on the cheek and then met her gaze firmly.
“I truly mean it, dear Sister,” he said. “Should you require my assistance, do not hesitate to seek me out.”
Grace nodded, giving her brother a gentle push.
“I comprehend, dear Neil, and I shall comply,” she replied. “I give you my word. In the interim, do indulge in some amusement.”
Neil looked unconvinced. But he nodded, giving Grace another smile.
“You, as well, Sister,” he said.
