“No, not any longer. She’s admitted she was in the wrong.”
“Did she? That is a relief.” Grace gazed up at him. “Is there anything else I should know? More rumors?”
He laughed easily, happy to have good news for her. “No, my love. All the rumors and speculation are helping us.”
“Then I suppose we should go.”
Worthington kissed her lightly on her lips. “Shall we walk to Grosvenor Square? The air might do you good.”
“Yes, I should like to.” Grace took his arm. “It’s such a pretty day, and, other than to church, I haven’t been for a nice walk since I arrived in Town.”
When I wasn’t dodging you or your family, that is.
Worthington retrieved his hat and placed her hand on his arm. “Shall we go, my lady?”
She nodded. Being with him was right. So many times she’d ached with loneliness and struggled with thinking she couldn’t marry. He loved her, and he wasn’t taking the children lightly. He knew how much work it would be. Everything would be fine.
Several minutes later, Worthington knocked on the large, shiny, black door of Herndon House. Her uncle’s elderly butler bowed and showed them into the drawing room where her aunt and uncle rose to greet them.
“Grace, Worthington.” Aunt offered Grace her cheek and her hand to Worthington.
Uncle Bertrand smiled broadly. “Worthington, come and sit. We have a great deal to discuss.”
Her aunt kept up a steady stream of small talk until tea was served. The topic turned to Grace, the children, and Worthington.
“I don’t mean to mince words with you, my lord,” Uncle Herndon said. “I’ll be happy to see Grace married.” He glanced at her. “Since her grandfather, Lord Timothy, died, talk has gotten back to me that some of her father’s relatives think it improper for her to hold the guardianship alone.”
Grace’s heart lurched. Had she been having premonitions? Her mother had them at times.
Matt squeezed her hand. “Will our marriage settle the talk, do you think?”
Her uncle rubbed his nose. “You are a respected and wealthy peer. Everyone knows you would not take on the responsibility of the children unless you wanted to.” He took a sip of tea. “Masterful stroke bringing your stepmother with you to church. Everyone knows her reputation. She wouldn’t countenance the match unless she was convinced all was proper.”
Grace kept her breathing calm. It was a good thing Patience didn’t know about the inn, or the other. “No, she wouldn’t.”
Her aunt smiled. “Have you set the date, my dear?”
Grace glanced at Matt. “Not yet. We were concerned that there would be just the kind of talk we wish to avoid if we married too soon.”
“Very prudent of you.” Aunt Almeria reminded her of a bird looking expectantly for a piece of bread.
“We had originally agreed on three weeks.” Grace took a breath, steeling herself for her aunt’s reactions. “But now perhaps less.”
Aunt Almeria smiled warmly.
“My lord?” Matt asked. “How soon may I apply for guardianship?”
“Not until you are married.” Her uncle rubbed his chin. “They might accept the application based on the betrothal, but no action could be taken before you’re leg-shackled.”
“That’s not good at all.” She wanted the guardianship completed as soon as possible.
“Grace?” Small lines bracketed Matt’s mouth.
She met his gaze. “If that’s the case, we must marry as soon as possible. One week from Tuesday.” She turned anxiously to her aunt. “If you do not think it too premature, Aunt Almeria?”
“You just want a small wedding, dear?”
Grace nodded. “Yes, family and close friends. That is all I want. Worthington?”
