Grace hugged her friend. “Thank you.”
“I am happy to help.” Phoebe kissed Grace’s cheek. “This Season will be more interesting for it.”
Although Grace had wanted a chance to speak with Phoebe alone, it helped that she didn’t find anything untoward about Grace and Matt marrying.
After the door closed, Matt took her in his arms. “I cannot believe all that has happened in the past few days.”
“I know.” Grace lifted her eyes to his lapis-colored ones. “To think it was just yesterday morning that I refused you.”
“Kiss me, nothing more. I know kisses will have to satisfy me until we can wed.”
She brought his head down and moved her lips tenderly against his. When she teased them with her tongue, he opened his mouth to her. Her breasts rubbed against this chest, and her nipples became hard buds. She tilted her head, deepening the kiss, the throbbing need raced down her body and pooled between her legs. She wanted him so badly that her need scared her. It was as if she’d been starved for years and wanted only to feast.
“Matt, my love, we have to stop.”
He lifted his head reluctantly. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Grace nodded and walked him to the door. This was going to be the longest three weeks of her life, with him so close and always willing to touch her. If she could only stop thinking about his body and how he made her feel, they might survive.
* * *
The following morning, Matt was admitted into Stanwood House and informed, unnecessarily, that the family was all together in the breakfast room. He could hear the din from the front door and followed it toward the back part of the house. Footmen were running back and forth carrying plates of toast, glasses of milk, and fresh pots of tea.
“Good morning.” At first, he thought he was seeing things. He pressed his palms to his eyes but when he dropped his hand, his four sisters were still present.
The room briefly became silent then choruses of greetings were spoken or shouted out.
Presiding over the table, Grace laughed and shook her head. “Good morning.”
God, it was good to see her happy. He strode to her and kissed her lightly on the lips.
“Oooh.” Mary’s eyes rounded.
Grinning, Matt tugged gently on one of her braids and settled in the chair a footman had placed between Grace and Mary. “Yes, oooh. Now finish your breakfast.” He took out his quizzing glass and focused it on each one of his sisters. “Did you tell your mother you were breaking your fast here?”
Louisa raised her chin slightly. “Mama wasn’t up. We told Nurse. She was to have told Mama. We’ve”—she glanced at the other children, who nodded—“decided that since we’ll all be living together, we should get used to it.”
“It makes perfect sense,” Walter said, “if you think about it.”
Waving a piece of toast, Augusta added, “This way it’s easier for us to help.”
Worthington blinked. He didn’t dare close his eyes longer than that. Lord only knew what they’d come up with next. He glanced at Grace. “When do you wish to start out, and will you take your town coaches?”
Grace swallowed her tea. “We shall walk. I’ll not subject the rest of the parishioners to this bunch as they are.”
“I am marrying a woman of superior understanding. It would not do for them to act up in church our first time out.” They were going to cause enough of a stir as it was. “We cannot be late either. When will you be ready to go?”
“In less than thirty minutes. They are all dressed under their smocks.”
He glanced around the table and for the first time noticed they all wore what looked like artist’s smocks. He’d never heard of anything like it. “What a good idea.”
“Thank you.” She grinned. “At least they will leave the breakfast table without stains on their clothing. I make no promises after luncheon or tea.”
His lips twitched. “Due, I imagine, to the jam tarts.”
“Precisely. It should take us about fifteen minutes to walk to Hanover Square. Does your stepmother join us?”
“Yes, Patience will take her town coach. I am here to determine the method of travel.”
