“I as well.”
“Under the circumstances”—Aunt Almeria said briskly—“with the guardianship and two young ladies to bring out, I think what little talk the marriage might cause will die down quickly. It is not, after all, as if you are a young lady just out. I know the rector at St. George’s quite well. If you’d like, I shall make the arrangements.” She twisted the fringe of her shawl. “I shall leave you with the wedding breakfast to plan. As much as I hold all the dear children in affection . . .”
Grace laughed at the thought of eleven children trooping through Herndon House. “No, I’ll be happy to arrange it.”
“Worthington, a word with you in private, if I may,” her uncle said.
Now what could it be? Grace tried to keep her countenance calm, but her panic must have shown. Uncle Herndon smiled reassuringly. “Just a formality, my dear. I need to discuss the settlements with Worthington.”
“Of course, Uncle.”
Matt kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back soon.”
The only thing she had of her own was her dowry, yet if her uncle wished to be responsible for making sure all was right, he was welcome to it.
* * *
Matt followed Lord Herndon to his study.
“Please have a seat. You may send your information to my solicitor. I wanted to tell you how Grace’s portion and those of the children’s were settled.”
Matt didn’t care if she was penniless, yet Grace wouldn’t see it that way. “Very well.”
“Grace has a dowry of around thirty thousand, invested in funds, from her mother’s settlement. All the other girls have the same amount. The two younger boys have easy competences, enough for them to marry and command the elegancies of life. Still, their father wanted them to have a profession. The church, law, or the foreign office. Something of that sort.” Lord Herndon rose and poured them both a brandy. “By the time Lord Timothy, Grace’s maternal grandfather, died, two of his sons had predeceased him. He had a small estate in Cambridgeshire and a large fortune in investments. Before his death, he and I discussed the matter. He decided that his Cambridgeshire estate would go to Walter and the house on Half-Moon Street to Philip. Both properties are currently leased.”
“I understand.” Matt was relieved the children were taken care of.
“Grace, because she took the children, was to receive an additional amount upon Charlie attaining his majority. She’ll still receive the bequest if she manages to keep the children together. I don’t think she’s ever thought about it. But old Lord Timothy wanted to ensure she had enough to live well on, if she never married.”
“No, I’m quite sure she hasn’t given the bequest a bit of thought.”
Herndon fixed Matt with a stern look. “Grace is a wealthy woman.”
He put down his brandy and stood. “Then she shall remain so. Decide what you think right for any daughters she and I will have. I shall provide for our sons. Grace shall keep all her property. If anything should happen to me, I want her taken care of. Send me the figures and we’ll speak again.”
Lord Herndon grinned. “I understand you are also an heir to a marquisate.”
“Indeed, but I don’t expect anything to come of it.” Matt shrugged. “My cousin is still young, and not at all reckless.”
Herndon put a hand on Matt’s shoulder. “I should dearly love to hear the story of how that came about.”
“Someday I’ll tell you.” He grinned. Matt wanted to get back to Grace and take her home, hold her in his arms, and reassure her everything would be fine.
Chapter Sixteen
Grace’s mind was in a whirl. The marriage she thought never to have would happen next week. But then what? Grace tried to breathe calmly but her heart fluttered.
Breathe, just breathe. Think of something else. Of how lovely it will be to have Matt with me every night.
“Grace, Grace?” Aunt Almeria hovered around her. “You are very pale, dear. Is anything wrong?”
Grace glanced up. “I can’t believe it’s happening so soon.”
She’d spent years thinking about him. He claimed to have fallen in love in one night. Was she truly even that woman? Well, she admitted ruefully, part of her was. The part that was so wanton as to allow him, no, encourage him to take her anywhere. Had he mistook passion for love?
“Grace, is there anything I can help you with?” Aunt Almeria chaffed one of Grace’s hands.
She passed her other hand over her brow. “No, I mean—I don’t know what I mean. Worthington says he loves me—but—how could he know so soon?”
