Her eyes flew open. “Oh, no, Jane, why would you? Do you want to go?”
“No, but you will no longer need a companion.” Jane smiled gently.
“Jane, you are so much more than that.”
Jane patted her hands. “Don’t worry, my dear. We can discuss it later, when you are closer to your wedding.”
Grace nodded as her cousin left the room. She had never considered that Jane might leave her. Her cousin had been a stalwart supporter since her father had died after he’d been thrown by his horse, and her pregnant mother fell ill. Perhaps Grace shouldn’t marry. It had all been so sudden. She’d not been able to give this marriage as much thought as she should have. How was this going to affect her staff, many of whom had been with the family for years, and Jane?
Several minutes later, she approached the grand staircase.
Royston bowed. “The senior staff would like to wish you happy, my lady.”
Summoning a smile, she thanked him and proceeded to her chamber. Of course her senior staff would have figured it out before she’d told them. The younger members of the staff probably knew as well. It had most likely even made it out to the stables.
She tugged the bell-pull for her maid, but just as she brought the pull down, Bolton appeared carrying one of her new gowns. “I think this one for dinner tonight.”
“Perfect.” Grace washed with the warm water already in the basin. She wished she could be as excited as everyone else seemed to be. After all, for years she had wanted to marry Worthington. Bolton put the gown over her head and Grace stood as her maid adjusted it. But was it the right thing to do now? Passing a hand over her eyes, she berated herself for not only making love to him the first time, but not being able to control herself once his arms were around her. Still, she hadn’t actually agreed to the marriage. She just hadn’t said no the last time he asked or when he’d announced it.
“My lady, do stop fidgeting.” Bolton tied the laces.
It had finally dawned on Grace that when she’d not protested, she had inadvertently agreed. “Do you think I’ve made a mistake agreeing to marry Lord Worthington?”
“No, my lady, I do not.”
Grace turned around. “But Jane talked about leaving.”
“You have to allow folks to make their own decisions. If there is a place in the household that makes her happy, she’ll stay, if not, she’ll go. You can discuss all that with his lordship.”
She handed Grace a missive that arrived. Breaking it open, Grace read the lines. Phoebe and Marcus would join them for tea this evening. Perhaps Grace would consult her friend. Phoebe always gave good advice.
Standing, she gave herself one last look in the mirror before she went down to the drawing room. Her gown was one of the new ones. A salmon-colored tussore silk with a deep V neckline in front and back. A braided cord in deeper salmon and gold was fastened by a brooch under her breasts. The three-quarter-length sleeves were unadorned. Two flounces decorated the bottom of her skirt. Madame Lisette knew her work. Grace thought she looked very well indeed.
* * *
Matt was handing his hat to the butler when Grace descended the stairs. His heart stopped as he sucked in a breath. Every time he’d met her before, except at the inn, when she’d worn a well-made but out-of-date twill gown, he’d been so intent on speaking to her, or kissing her, he hadn’t paid attention to her clothing. Now that he had her promise, he could take the time to appreciate her beauty. It took his breath away. Her hair glowed under the candles and her gown, a silk, moved with her, discreetly accentuating her figure as she gracefully descended toward him. His chest swelled knowing she was his. A few curls spilled over her shoulders from a knot high on the back of her head. Every part of his body tightened. Yet his love appeared distracted and unsure. He needed to take her into his arms and kiss all her doubts away.
Why the devil did I agree not to make love to her?
Then Charlotte, Walter, and the twins appeared on the stairs. He held out his hand to Grace. “Chaperones?”
She placed her fingers in his palm, but she was tense. “We usually all dine together.”
Tucking her hand in his arm, he grinned. “I think that’s a wonderful idea, much better than you dining alone.” What would dinner with seven, no ten, children be like? “You’ll have to show me where to go.”
She led him to the drawing room, where he noticed Jane already in residence sitting in a chair near the fireplace, speaking with a man and woman, both in their midtwenties. Jane rose. “My lord, good evening.”
He bowed, and not knowing who the couple was, replied formally as she had. “Good evening. Miss Carpenter.”
Jane grinned. “I’m glad you are joining us.”
“Worthington.” Grace directed his attention to the two other people, who’d risen. “Miss Tallerton, I must introduce you to Lord Worthington. Worthington, Miss Tallerton is the children’s governess, and this is their tutor, Mr. Winters.”
Matt inclined his head as the governess curtseyed and Winters bowed. The governess lived up to her name; she was indeed a long meg, but handsome in a firm sort of way. Winters was only slightly taller than she and had a very pleasant countenance. “A pleasure to meet you.”
“And you, my lord,” Miss Tallerton said.
Matt shook Winters’s hand.
