Phoebe raised her brows sympathetically. “He wants to marry you.”
All the breath in Grace’s body left in one fell swoop.Marry me? Oh no. This couldn’t be happening. “I—I shall have to find a way to avoid meeting him.” Rubbing her temples, she tried to think. Unfortunately her brain seemed unwilling to cooperate. “I don’t plan to go about much. At least not to entertainments where gentlemen are likely to be.”
Phoebe regarded her dubiously.
Grace really was going to have strong hysterics. “What?”
Phoebe took Grace’s hands again. “It’s been my experience that gentlemen in love turn up just where one does not expect them to be.”
She was right, of course. Men were so unpredictable. They never behaved the way one wished. Why couldn’t he have just forgotten about her? “Phoebe, this is horrible. What shall I do?”
Despite her large middle, Phoebe rose gracefully and seemed to float over to a small side table with a decanter and glasses. She poured two and handed one to Grace. “Sherry, not as strong as brandy, but effective nonetheless.” Phoebe sank back down next to Grace. “You had better be prepared to explain to him that you do not intend to give up guardianship of the children. The law is very unfair to women in many respects and this is probably the worst example.” Phoebe’s brows drew together in thought. “I don’t suppose you might consider that, as your husband, Worthington could be their guardian?”
Grace drank half the glass in one swallow. It didn’t help. “I cannot conceive of any man willingly taking on seven children.” She took a small sip. “Even if he thought he wanted to, what if something happened to change his mind? I would be helpless to do anything about it. If he were to send the boys off to school before they are ready or send the girls to school at all. I have no great opinion of girls’ schools and want them to remain at home.” Grace stopped, her voice suspended by tears. She put the glass on a side table and dropped her head in her hands.
Phoebe rose, refreshed Grace’s glass, then handed it to her. “I understand. In your position, I’d likely feel the same.”
Grace sipped her sherry. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Phoebe’s lips curved up. “Being your friend? Let me remind you, my friend, you stood by me when I refused to marry.”
Yet that wasn’t nearly as bad as what Grace had done. “No, for not thinking me an abandoned woman.”
“Nonsense.” Phoebe gave Grace a rueful look. “You’ve been half in love with Worthington for years. I remember the offers you turned down hoping he’d ask.”
She sighed miserably. “He never even noticed me.”
“No, probably not. Young men are like that. But, my dear, how on earth did you think you could make love with him and not fall in love?”
Well, that was a reasonable question. Still, she’d only seen him that one Season. Grace dabbed her eyes. “I might not have done it, if he hadn’t been so wonderful.”
Phoebe grinned. “Apparently he was quite taken with you as well.”
Grace took a large sip of sherry. It really was very good, and she was feeling a bit better. Why had she been so stupid? She sat up straighter. “That, unfortunately, doesn’t do either of us any good at all. I cannot marry. Not him, nor anyone else.”
“It’s a shame he didn’t figure out he was in love with you before your parents died. Though really, men can be such big noddies.”
She finished the glass, stood, and started to pace. “I must avoid him. There is absolutely no conceivable way I could ever tell him I only wanted one night.”
“No, I can’t see him taking that well at all.” Phoebe shoved a small cushion behind her back. “Though Grace, I shall own myself surprised if youcanavoid meeting him. You’d be better occupied deciding what you will say when you do see him.”
Grace had reached the end of the room and turned. He’d never understand. Men could do what she’d done, but ladies, at least unmarried ladies, could not. “Yes, you’re right, of course.”
Charlotte knocked on the door and came in carrying a largish magazine.
Grace quickly brought herself under control and smiled. “Well, my love, did you find anything?”
“I found several wonderful gowns,” her sister said, with a sly grin. “If only you will allow me to have diamonds sewn onto the bodices and wear silk.”
Grace held out her hand forLa Belle Assembléeto look at the pictures Charlotte was mooning over. The ball gown depicted was in a pale lavender with a darker color underskirt. The narrative recommended small diamonds or some other gemstone. Grace assumed a prim expression. “If you wish to dress in diamonds, you will have to set your cap at a very wealthy gentleman who will agree to give you a large allowance.”
“Oh pooh. I don’t care that”—Charlotte snapped her fingers—“for such fripperies. Although I did think it was extremely droll.”
Grace laughed. No, she’d never give up her brothers and sisters. “Well, we had better be on our way. Aunt Almeria plans to serve an early dinner until we get used to Town hours.” She held out her hands to Phoebe. “Thank you for our conversation. Will you join us to-morrow?”
Phoebe grinned and glanced down at her stomach. “Yes, I think I shall. I’ll very soon need new gowns, again.”
As Grace and her sister strolled arm-in-arm across the square to their aunt’s house, she thought of and dismissed ways to tell Worthington she could not wed. Somehow she’d find a means to convince him, if she couldn’t avoid him altogether, that was. Which was a much better plan.
