Page 22 of The Marquess's Imperfect Brid
Gareth suppressed the raising of his eyebrow. Something about the way the earl was speaking was off putting to him, though he could not pinpoint precisely why. But since he was still clearly not considered to be part of the conversation, he decided it was not his place to try to understand the reason behind his discontent. Especially not when there was a more immediately pressing problem: the complete disregard for his desires and feelings.
As his father and the earl continued talking, his heart sank. They were essentially forming the terms of an arranged marriage right in front of him, and neither one of them was asking Gareth when he might consider such a proposition. Or if he ever would at all. He was not unaware of his obligations as the heir to hisfamily’s legacy.
However, even if he were to agree to an arranged marriage, he wanted to have some say in the matter. The older men were blindsiding him, and he felt as though he did not have any control over his life. He was born into the position of heir to a dukedom. But did that secretly mean that other people got to decide every important detail of his future, as well?
When Gareth saw Thomas approaching with a warm smile, he nearly melted with relief. He gave a nod to the older men, who were hardly paying attention to his presence right then. Then, he reached his hand out to his younger brother, who was smiling warmly at him.
“Would you care to join us for a game of billiards?” he asked, glancing pointedly at their father and the earl.
Gareth nodded with a grin.
“I would be delighted,” he said.
With a weak mumble of excusing himself, Gareth quickly followed his brother from the room. Thomas would help him regain his senses, at least long enough to get through the rest of the evening. And it would do him good to play some billiards, as it was one of his favorite hobbies, especially when he was distressed and unable to ride. The two men could continue planning Gareth’s future to their heart’s content. Or at least, what they believed his future would be.
***
In the drawing room Grace was able to find a moment of peace. In truth, she had hardly stopped laughing since she, Anne and Millicent had seated themselves in the corner of the room.
“Oh, you should have seen his face,” Anne said to Millicent, waving her hand vainly in front of her face as though it would help her catch her breath. “Neil looked so horrified when he found us up in that tree. We could not tell whether he was afraidfor our safety, or worried that he would get into trouble if our parents found out.”
Grace giggled. She recalled the day of which Anne spoke. It was the day the three of them had been playing hide and seek, and they had thrown Neil off their trail completely. It had been Anne’s idea to hide where their brother would never suspect. Their nursemaid was not far away, although she was not privy to their plan to climb a tree. And when Neil had finally found them, he was shocked and concerned. Their parents still did not know about those particular antics, and now it was a story they all loved to tell at parties.
“I believe it was a little of both,” she said, sipping her wine. “And I still cannot believe that we got away with that.”
The women laughed, and Grace reveled in the calming tranquility of their laughter. It was a far better atmosphere than that which she had experienced at dinner. And she was grateful for the reprieve.
It did not last, however. When Lady Cecilia entered, the entire room turned toward her. She carried herself with an air that commanded attention. And when she locked eyes with Grace, a strange grin dawned on her face. She hurriedly approached, taking it upon herself to take a seat without waiting to be invited to join the women.
“This is such a wonderful party,” she gushed, smiling at them all except for Grace. “Indeed, it has been an incredible season thus far.”
The other three women exchanged glances with one another. Grace’s heart was racing as she tried to understand. Why was Lady Cecilia so determined to sit with them? What could she possibly want with someone like Grace?
Millicent regarded her warily as she nodded.
“I dare say that Grace’s family’s house party is the most intriguing and delightful so far,” she said.
Lady Cecilia beamed and nodded as if in agreement. But there was something so insincere in her eyes that it made Grace want to squirm.
“It is a lovely party, to be sure,” she said. “I have attended every single ball hosted this season. And I have already confirmed my attendance for the rest of them. Except for one, during which I will be in Bath.”
Grace understood the connotation of the Bath reference too late. She looked up to see a slow smile spreading across Lady Cecilia’s face. She tried to answer, but the young lady had already begun to speak again.
“I do adore the newest styles of dresses,” she said, gesturing to her own. “The new shape is just marvelous. And then there is another style which is gaining some popularity, but the name escapes me.” She paused, making a grand show of trying to recall something. “Oh, Grace, do you know to what I am referring? Surely, you would be as conscious of fashion as the rest of us.”
Grace flushed. Because of her three-year stay in Bath, she did not know anything about recent fashion. And given the look in Lady Cecilia’s eyes, Grace suspected that she knew that. Her conversation was deliberately designed to embarrass Grace. And unfortunately, it was working.
Before the cruel young lady could see her struggling, Anne linked her arm through Grace’s and gently led her out of her seat.
“This has been truly fascinating,” she said with sarcasm so thick that a deaf man could have heard it. “However, we must be going.”
Millicent flanked Grace’s other side and nodded, giving Grace a warm, comforting smile.
“When you think of that dress style, let us know,” she said. “We shall immediately inform your wardrobe.”
It took Grace a moment, until the gentlemen rejoined thewomen a moment later, to understand what Millicent had meant. But as soon as she did, she laughed at the snarky joke. She stood between the two women, silently grateful for their support and protectiveness.
The men filed in, each of them drifting toward either family members or women who had captured their interest. Grace bit her lip as the marquess walked in, expecting him to head straight for Lady Cecilia, who had begun whispering and tittering with another group of women as soon as her trio had snubbed and left her alone. But Lord Hayewood surprised her by approaching, with her brother, with a warm smile on his face.
