Page 47 of Only By Grace
Grace turned when she heard him. “My lord! I had not realized you were there.”
“I have just arrived. How are you this morning?” He searched her face for signs of distress. Only a shade of dark purple beneath her eyes hinted that perhaps she had not slept as well as she ought. Doubtless his own reflected something similar as he’d yet to seek his bed.
“I am well, thank you, although I did not sleep for long,” she confessed as though she’d guessed his thoughts. “How is your sister?”
“I believe she is still sleeping. My mother gave her a draught.”
Grace nodded as though that was just what should have happened.
“Would you care to walk a little?”
Her eyes twinkled. “I had thought to look at your famed stables, sir, but upon seeing Paddy, I was reminded your sailors were also some of your stable workers and might not care to see me.”
“They’ve no fear of the sea goddess here.” He tried to hold back a smile and failed. “There will be some horses in the paddock,” he suggested and held out his arm to her.
She took it a bit hesitantly, as if she, too, were not certain what came next.
It had been a while since he had led her in such a formal manner. In fact, it was when they had presented themselves as very different people, two Seasons ago. He found that he very much disliked being formal with her at all. He’d not been himself for some time and not at all like he’d been before Flynn had begun threatening his family. When he thought how very little time he had now to convince her he could be worthy, his chest thumped hard with what must be panic.
Should he speak with Stuart and Patience and convince them to stay a few days? It was what his father—and very likely his mother too—wanted, he thought wryly. Ronan wanted to make sure it was also what he and Grace wanted.
“This is what the rest of Ireland looks like,” he said inadequately, as they stood before a lush green meadow tucked into a valley surrounded by rolling hills.
The pretty silver mare she’d ridden the night before pranced over, demanding attention, and Ronan watched as Grace stroked her soothingly.
“You seem troubled,” Grace said gently, drawing him back to the present. “Is something wrong?”
Ronan glanced at her, startled by her perceptiveness, but quickly recovered. “Not troubled,” he said after a beat, though he realized how unconvincing it sounded. “Merely…reflective.”
Grace tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in mild amusement. “I would not have taken you for the brooding sort, Lord Carew.”
“Nor I, but it appears you bring out the worst in me,” he said, his voice frank, but not unkind.
Grace blinked, caught off guard, as though he’d slapped her. “If that is the case, then perhaps I ought to leave you to seethe in peace.”
Ronan stepped forward before he could think better of it. “On the contrary,” he said, his tone deepening. “You have proven far too adept at unsettling me for me to wish you gone.”
Grace looked at a loss for words. “Unsettling you is a…desired quality?”
The moment hung between them, like a butterfly hovering, uncertain where to land. Ronan could scarcely believe the words had left his mouth, and a flicker of nervousness crept in—nervousness,of all things. It was both absurd and undeniable. “I rather think it is.”
Her cheeks coloured faintly, and she turned back to the mare as though the horse’s mane demanded her full attention.
Clearing his throat, he turned the conversation to safer ground. “My father has expressed a desire to meet you,” he said, his tone returning to something more familiar. “He wishes to thank you properly for what you have done.”
Grace smiled. “That is unnecessary, but I would be honoured to meet him before we leave.”
Ronan nodded, his mind already leaping ahead. “Perhaps I might speak with Major Stuart and Patience. There is no need for such haste in your departure. My parents would appreciate the company, and the castle has been far too quiet of late.”
Grace looked at him for a long moment, as though searching his face for something unspoken. “Only your parents would appreciate the company, my lord?” she asked softly, yet rather boldly.
Ronan’s lips twisted into the faintest of smiles. “I would as well,” he admitted.
“I should very much like to stay longer and see more of Ireland, and…appreciate the company.”
Ronan did not hold back a wide smile. “My father wants to host a large gathering to celebrate, which is something indeed since he rarely leaves his chambers to dine these days. We oftenjoin him for meals in his sitting room. So you see, you are doing all of us a favour.”
He could see she was not convinced.
