The man wrung his hand. “Be seein’ ye later I s’pect.”
“Yes, yes, if she’s not reasonable.” Fate must be on his side. At least he saved some money. Though he wouldn’t have to worry about being at low water ever again, not after he spoke to Worthington and let him know the game was up.
* * *
Once Matt and Grace arrived at the church with the rest of their family, Charlie, Louisa, and Charlotte helped settle the children. Patience and Lord and Lady Herndon joined them. A few moments later the Eveshams and Rutherfords stopped by.
Seeing the wives of his friends in a delicate condition, Matt wondered how long it would be before Grace was breeding. He must have lost his mind, but he hoped she was already pregnant.
St. George’s was half empty, and he gave thanks for those who’d left London for Easter. The remaining congregants now paid little attention to them. They returned home to Jacques’s roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. The chef was definitely remaining with them.
After dinner, Charlie took him aside. “I wanted to thank you, sir.”
Worthington turned in surprise. “How so?”
Charlie grimaced. “The children, though I don’t suppose I should call Louisa and Charlotte children, told me that Grace refused you at first, but you kept at it until she said yes.”
Clapping him on the back, Matt glanced at his brother-in-law and gave Charlie a serious look. “One must fight for what one wants.”
“Yes, well you see, I knew she wanted to marry.” He shuffled his feet a bit. “But she gave up all her dreams for us.”
“Fate has a strange way of arranging things.” Matt squeezed Charlie’s shoulder.
“I suppose it does.” He paused for a moment. “When I attain my majority, I’ll take them off your hands.”
This was not a discussion Matt intended to have now. “Let’s see how everything goes.” Glancing around and seeing Grace occupied with the older girls, Matt lowered his voice. “You wouldn’t like to tell me, man to man, earl to earl, how to remain on Grace’s good side?”
Charlie grinned. “Don’t surprise her. She’s held our hands through stitches and broken bones, and other things that would give another woman the vapors, but give her a surprise birthday party, and she faints dead away. Don’t understand it myself. No reason I should. It’s just the way she is.”
“Like a game of billiards, Stanwood?”
“Wouldn’t I just. I’ve had no one to play with since m’father died.”
Matt clapped his hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Then come with me, young’un, and we’ll see how much you know.”
Walter and Philip joined them. Charlie knew the game and only needed practice and a few pointers. He helped Matt teach the younger two. As much as Matt loved his sisters, he enjoyed having younger brothers.
He gave silent thanks for Grace coming into his life.
* * *
Lord Bentley and Lord Harrington were ushered into the drawing room. Grace smiled as they made their bows and Louisa and Charlotte curtseyed.
“I know it’s not usual to visit on a holy day,” Bentley said, tugging on his cravat “though there are so few people in Town . . .”
Harrington nodded. “We—we thought we’d call.”
Resisting the urge to laugh, Grace motioned for them to a sofa. “We are very glad you did. Please have a seat, and I shall ring for tea.”
“No need to do so on our account,” Harrington replied.
“Indeed,” Bentley said. “We wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble.”
This must be the first time that either gentleman had done the pretty. “Thank you for your concern.” She rang the bell-pull. “But we usually drink tea at this time of day.”
Bentley swallowed. “Of course.”
Even though Grace bid them to sit, they naturally remained standing until she sank onto the sofa.
