Worthington hovered over her, concern coloring his voice. “Are you sure you don’t need any help?”
Oh God, why didn’t he leave? Her heart raced and she was sure she’d faint. Taking large breaths of air, Grace shook her head and tried to pull her arm away.
“I shall help her ladyship,” her footman, Harold, said.
“Very well. I wish you a good day.” Worthington, sounding confused, released her and turned toward the Park.
“My lady, are you all right?” Harold asked.
Holding a hand to her chest, Grace nodded. “I’m fine. Let’s go, shall we?”
Walking straight ahead, she crossed Mount Street and didn’t stop until she reached Herndon House. Her hands shook as she tried to untie the bow to her hat. Finally the ribbons came undone. Tearing the hat off, she tossed it on her dressing table and fell across the bed before she collapsed. Too late did she remember he lived on Berkeley Square.
* * *
Matt and his sisters were halfway down Mount Street heading toward the Park, and he was still trying to understand what was so unusual about that lady.
Louisa frowned. “That was very odd. She wouldn’t even look at us or talk to us.”
“Maybe she was horribly disfigured and is afraid to let any see her face,” Madeline piped up.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Augusta, in her know-it-all-voice, said. “If she’d been disfigured, she’d have worn a veil.”
“Well, no matter the reason.” Louisa gave her younger sisters a superior look. “I still think it’s strange.”
Matt lowered his brows. “Very strange, indeed.”
And very familiar.Glancing down at the hand that had touched her, he realized his fingers were still warm. Then it hit him as if he’d been punched.She is my love. She had to be. He’d never had that sort of reaction to another woman. Turning quickly back, he searched the street, but she was nowhere in sight. Then he started to walk toward Berkeley Square.
“Matt, what are you doing?” Louisa tugged at his arm. “If you want to go back, we must also.”
Damn. His sister was right. He couldn’t leave them, especially Louisa. And Matt wasn’t going to take them on a chase through Mayfair to find his love. Still, she’d been in Berkeley Square. Who lived in there? Had he ever known? Matt had rented his own rooms for so long he had little idea who his neighbors were. Patience would know. If not, he’d knock on every single door if he had to. “Where is your mother?”
Louisa shrugged. “I believe she is attending a tea or visiting a friend.” She gazed up, her eyes shining. “Matt, we are going to a soirée at Lady Bellamny’s house to-morrow evening. It will be my first London party.”
He summoned a smile. “I know you’ll have fun.”
“Will you be there?”
“I doubt it. I’m dining with friends at my club.” He’d speak with his stepmother this evening.
He was so close to finding her, and, when he did, he’d discover why she ran away from him.
* * *
Grace’s heart had finally stopped thudding so hard she was sure it would fly out of her breast, when Aunt Almeria knocked on her bedchamber door. “My dear, would you like to attend Lady Featherton’s at home with Charlotte and me?”
Grace rose. “I am sorry, but I cannot. The children are arriving to-morrow. I must attend to some additional details at Stanwood House. This evening, Charlotte and I will dress there and come round to fetch you for dinner.” She glanced at her watch. “If I have time, I must go to Bond Street to exchange some ribbon that is not quite right.”
“If you are sure, my dear.”
“Quite sure.” Grace bussed her aunt’s cheek. “You and Charlotte have a good time.”
Aunt Almeria’s eyes grew misty. “I’m certain we shall. Oh Grace, she is so beautiful. Just what your mother looked like at that age.”
Suddenly, Grace’s throat hurt. A portrait of her mother, not much older than Charlotte was now, hung in the Hall’s gallery. “Yes, I know.”
Charlotte came into the room. “Aunt Almeria, are you ready to go?”
