Page 50 of Only By Grace
“My sister, Patience, and her husband, Major Stuart, as well as our dear friend, Mr. Cunningham, were also in the party.”
“To think so many strangers were willing to help me. You knew me not at all, yet you willingly risked your life to help me.”
“As to the first, your brother is not a stranger at all. It is Major Stuart’s position in the army to do such things, and your brother has helped my family a time or two in dangerous situations. We were all very willing to help.”
A maid entered and Grace conveyed the request to send Joy to them.
Joy must have been nearby, for she appeared quickly with both kittens in tow. She smiled at Maeve. “Good morning, Grace. I was just on my way to take the kittens outside.”
“Make your curtsy to Lady Maeve first, please, since we had no opportunity to do so last night. Lady Maeve, this is my sister, Joy.”
Lady Maeve stood and returned the curtsy. “It is a pleasure, Miss Joy. May I see one of the kittens?”
Nothing delighted Joy more than someone who shared her love of animals. She plucked Evalina from her especially sewn pouch and handed the kitten over. Grace saw Theo’s head spring up next, and she couldn’t resist taking him for herself. She’d missed his cuddles last night. He seemed to have missed her in turn, as his loud purrs reverberated as soon as she snuggled him against her chin.
Lady Maeve looked equally delighted with her kitten. “Are they not too young to be away from their mother?”
“They were weaned soon before we left. There are four more at home, but Patience would not let me bring them all,” Joy said as though Patience were daft.
“Why do you not go with her to take them out, my lady?”
“But the bruises,” she whispered in return, as if the entire estate was unaware she’d been gone and then rescued.
“’Tis nothing a bonnet will not hide. Fresh air will do you good,” Grace reassured her, then turned to Joy while Lady Maeve decided. “There are stable boys named Paddy and Barry who I assured could help with the kittens as well. They helped me with Theo on the ship. Can you make sure they see them?”
“Of course.”
Grace handed Theo back to her. Meanwhile, Maeve was already tying on a bonnet. Grace suspected Joy and the kittens would be quite good for her.
“You will speak to your sister about England?” Lady Maeve asked before they left.
“Are you coming back with us? Capital!” Joy exclaimed.
“I will do that at once.”As well as beg her to leave as soon as possible.At least Grace could help someone else recover their happiness, even if hers was sorely injured along with her pride.
Ronan feltas though he’d been thrashed. As though someone had ripped out his heart, stamped on it, then poorly sewn it back in. The look on Grace’s face and her words would haunt him forever, but he still knew it was what was best for her. When the time came to speak, he knew he had to let her go.
He would talk with Major Stuart and his wife, as well as pen a letter to Westwood. As he’d returned from a long walk of trying to sort through his thoughts and feelings, he had been surprisedto see Maeve with Joy, playing with the kittens. The sound of her laughter had made him temporarily forget his own sombre mood. He rejoiced that she appeared to have found a friend to help her instead of sulking in her chambers.
Ronan found Major Stuart with his wife in one of the drawing rooms. They had been served what looked like a light meal, as it was now past noon.
“Pardon my intrusion, but may I speak with you?”
“Of course,” Major Stuart said and began to stand up. Ronan waved him back down.
“Would you care for some tea?” Mrs. Stuart asked.
“No, thank you. I wish to speak with you both about Miss Grace.” Something that had been put off with the necessity of dealing with Maeve’s rescue first.
Ronan was aware of Patience Stuart stiffening her posture. Was it his tone of voice? Was she opposed to her sister being forced to wed him? Even though he agreed, it still chafed.
“About that,” Major Stuart began. “I think the crisis has been averted, since we managed to depart shortly after your ship. There was enough chaos and confusion that Westwood was certain he could smooth things over.”
Ronan agreed and nodded. It was what was best for Grace. “You will, of course, let me know if word has spread?”
“Of course,” they agreed quickly but dismissively.
“We thought we would depart in the morning if you have no objection.”
