Louisa took over. “If the disagreement is among ourselves, then we may still go to Mama, but if the disagreement is between—our—our new brothers and sisters, we cannot go to Mama because Grace is like their mama.”
Augusta frowned. “Does that mean we’ll have two mamas?”
“No,” Charlotte said. “Let me try to explain. If, for example, Louisa and I disagree, we cannot go to either Grace or your mother, as that might cause problems between them. We must come to a compromise between ourselves. Our rules will help us to work out our differences without being a bother to Grace and Matt.”
“Exactly,” Louisa agreed. “And that is just one of the issues we should discuss. You heard Grace. She will not marry Matt until they have resolved all the issues. If we want them to wed, we must assist.”
Walter stared at Charlotte skeptically. “Do you think they need our help?”
“Of course they do.” Louisa’s eyes opened wide. “It’s obvious they need our aid. Otherwise we would have a wedding date instead of a possible betrothal.”
* * *
Matt watched his betrothed wear a path in her Turkish rug. She’d been at it since Jane had left over a half an hour ago. Something in addition to the general mess they were in was clearly bothering her. “Grace, my love, open your budget. I can’t help you if I don’t know what has you so upset.”
“I dislike uncertainty immensely.” She threw her hands up. “And at the moment, it is all I seem to have.”
He couldn’t disagree with her about that. The only thing that was making waiting to marry at all tolerable was being able to make love to her. He conjured a vision of her naked, her golden hair curling down over her fabulous breasts . . .
“Matt, are you listening to me?”
He jerked his attention back to her. “Yes, my love.”
“I said that we must stop having these—these—oh, I don’t know what to call them. We must wait until we are married to—to have relations again.”
He was nearly diverted by her beautifully crimson cheeks. “What?”
Grace stood rubbing her brow. “You must know how improper it is for us to be—be doing that—with the children around. If even a hint of it got out, my reputation would be ruined and the children taken from me.”
She was right, of course. Worthington rubbed a hand over his face. Damn. He should have thought of that. It was his job to protect her. The chancery court wouldn’t allow a woman of questionable morals to keep the children. He stifled a groan and his vision of naked breasts faded away. “Yes, my love, I agree.”
Her face was anything but happy. “What next shall we discuss?”
Our wedding date.He’d better keep that thought to himself. As up to snuff as he considered himself when it came to the foibles of theton,he needed help. “We should speak with Patience. She always seems to know what’s going on and what to do in any social situation.”
Grace stopped pacing. “Very well. When would you like to talk with her?”
“Immediately.” He glanced at the mantel clock. “I hope she’s at home. May I have a sheet of paper, pen, and wax?”
Stepping to her desk, she took out the writing implements. “Here you are.”
Matt wrote his note and sealed it with his ring stamped in the wax.
Grace tugged the bell-pull, and a few moments later her butler appeared.
She handed him the missive. “Royston, please have this taken to Lady Worthington.”
Seeing the butler’s confusion, Worthington said, “It is the house directly opposite the square.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“If she is there, please have the footman escort her here.”
Royston bowed and left the room.
Grace pinched the bridge of her nose. “We shall need to see my uncle Herndon as well. He has always supported me.”
“Is he the children’s trustee?”
