He lowered his voice. “They really are getting along well.”
“Indeed, but I don’t know how long it will last. Have you eaten?”
“No.” He stepped to the sideboard, served himself, and then returned to the table. “Have you heard from your uncle yet?”
She took a bite of her eggs and swallowed. “No. We’ll probably see them at church. I looked at the calendar and realized that next Sunday is Easter. Charlie will come home for the full-term holiday.”
“If we have a week left in Lent, that means none of this week’s entertainments will have dancing.”
Grace giggled. “How fortunate for you, my lord.”
“Yes, isn’t it?” Matt grinned. They must at least be formally betrothed by the start of the Season. “By the time we have the first ball, I’ll have made my intentions known to every gentleman in theton.”
Shaking her head, Grace munched on a piece of toast. “I don’t understand why it’s so important to you.”
“I can’t explain it. Some primitive urge, I suppose.” He tried to pass it off lightly. Yet with each passing day, the warrior in him had become more protective of her, and, by extension, her brothers and sisters.
The children were just finishing when Lady Worthington was shown in and informed they were walking to St. George’s.
Matt rose. “Patience, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
She smiled at Grace who offered her tea. “Most likely because I didn’t expect to be here. My curiosity won out.” Patience smiled more broadly. “When I awoke, I was greeted with the news that the girls had decided to breakfast here. I have never seen a table with so many children. I also decided it might present an off appearance if I did not arrive with you. It is a pleasant day, and I haven’t had a good hike since we arrived in Town.”
Grace clapped her hands together twice. “All of you up to brush your teeth and wash your hands.”
The table emptied. Once the children had gone, the silence was deafening.
“How long do we have until they return?” Matt asked, finishing his tea.
“About fifteen minutes or less. They all have their own washbasins.”
“You have organized them well,” Patience said. “I wanted to tell you both at the same time what my girls told me last night. It seems they have decided to relieve you of some of your worries . . .”
When she finished, Grace chuckled. “I must say, I am happy they’ve settled on a way to try to work out their own problems. Though I do not think they should decide where we are going to live.”
The children started coming down the stairs, and she rose. “I must fetch my bonnet and meet you in the hall.”
“My love.” Matt stood, placing his hands on her shoulders.
Glancing up at him curiously, she asked, “Yes?”
“Can you wear a hat that enables me to see your face?”
Her eyes widened as a blush rose in her cheeks. “How did you know?”
He ran his thumb along her jaw. “It took me too long to realize it the first time. The second time you disappeared into thin air. Someday, you must tell me how you managed it.”
Grace bit her lip. “Oh my, and you still wish to wed me?”
“More than anything.”
Patience laughed lightly. “I predict you shall have an interesting married life.”
Matt glanced at his stepmother. “I’m looking forward to it. I don’t know how I was stupid enough not to marry her when she was eighteen.”
His stepmother flicked her fingers dismissively. “You both would have been too young.”
“Maybe you’re right.” He took Grace’s arm and led her to the main staircase.
