Raising her chin, Grace stared at Matt defiantly, as if she was looking for a fight. “And the girls?”
She would soon discover he was not easily provoked. “No, I’m not in favor of girls’ schools. After hearing about flirtations with dancing masters and liaisons with gardeners’ boys, they do much better at home with a governess.”
Her mien as well as her tone softened. “Matt, do you truly wish to apply for guardianship?”
“Yes.” Lord, how he wanted to hold her, comfort her, yet if he did, the issues would still hang between them. “I could never—would never ask you to give your brothers and sisters up. You are doing a wonderful job with them, still it occurred to me at the Park that I have knowledge to offer the children that you cannot, a different point of view, the experiences a man has.”
She glanced up and though her face was still strained, a spark of humor lit her beautiful eyes. “Such as teaching them to box?”
“Among other things.” He stood. “We will discover how to go about changing the guardianship.” He closed the distance between them, placing his hands on her waist. “Please be my wife.”
“I want to. I do. I—I just don’t know. I cannot think how we are going to manage it all. There are so many problems to solve.” She threw up her hands in defeat. He caught them.
“We will make it work.” Perhaps if he continued to repeat that, she’d finally agree with him.
The sound of shuffling feet in the corridor intruded.
Matt grinned. “Someone’s been keeping them out.” He touched his forehead to hers. “It won’t last much longer. Do we tell them?”
“Tell them what?” She tried to pull back. When he held her in place, she heaved a sigh. “I cannot make a decision until we have worked out all the details.”
And to think Matt had once thought his would be the easiest courtship ever. Still, he wasn’t giving up. “Tell them we’re thinking about it. We must, Grace. We can swear them to secrecy until we are sure.”
Her brows drew together, and he wanted to smooth the wrinkle it caused. Maybe it was wrong of him, but he knew once they mentioned it to the children, the decision would no longer be hers.
Closing her eyes, she gave a slight nod. “Well, I suppose we should get their opinions. After all, any decision we make affects them as well.”
If it wasn’t for their lovemaking, Grace thought she might have been able to resist him. At least that’s what she told herself. She had made a strategic error when she’d chosen Matt, believing once would be enough. A lifetime wouldn’t be sufficient. Yet she could never have given herself to another man. He seemed so confident everything would work. If only she could be as sure.
Grace sank onto the sofa while Matt opened the door. Ten curious faces stared up at him. He inclined his head. “Please, come in.”
They piled into the room. Mary came immediately to Grace, crawling onto her lap. The youngest Vivers girl, Theodora, sat next to Grace. It appeared Theodora and Mary had already formed a friendship, just as Matt had said. Charlotte and Louisa took the two chairs across from the sofa, while the others formed a semicircle between the chairs and the sofa, and waited. Grace had rarely seen her brothers and sisters so solemn.
Matt took the seat on the other side of Grace. A smile tugged at his lips. “May we help you?”
“Well.” Walter cleared his throat, glanced at the other children, and fell silent.
Grace hoped nothing serious had happened. She hadn’t heard any loud horrifying noises. Then again, she’d been rather occupied. How long had they been in the corridor?
After a few moments, Mary tugged on Matt’s coat. “We want to know if you and Grace are going to be married.”
“Yes,” Theodora agreed. “We want to know.”
Grace glanced at Matt, then surveyed the children. “What would you like?”
Alice opened her mouth and closed it when Walter narrowed his eyes at her. He looked at Matt then Grace. “I, for one, would like it if you married.” He flushed. “You’d be happier, Grace.”
Augusta, Eleanor, Madeline, Alice, and Philip nodded.
The two eldest glanced at each other and Louisa said, “Yes, all of us would like it.”
“Theodora?” Worthington asked.
“Me too.” She nodded, smiling. “I won’t be the youngest anymore, and I’ll have more older brothers.”
Grace nudged Mary. “What about you, sweetheart?”
“I like being the youngest, and I like Matt.” She gazed up at Grace. “Are you going to get married?”
