His friend lost his smile and closed his mouth. Good, Grace didn’t need to know about Matt’s peccadilloes. Particularly after what her aunt had most likely told her. And, after all, they were in the past.
Huntley gave a bark of laughter. “He’s got you there, Will. When does she come out? Next year, isn’t it?”
Wivenly emitted a sound that resembled a low snarl. “Yes. But it was not necessary for you to mention it.”
Grinning, Matt turned back to Grace. “Shall we stroll, my love?”
Her eyes sparkled, and she inclined her head to his friends. “As you wish, my love.”
As they started to leave, a lady in her late twenties strolled up to them. “Lady Grace, Lord Worthington, how good to see you here.”
Grace stared for a moment, as if trying to place the woman, then smiled. “Lady Fairport. It’s wonderful to see you again.”
The Countess of Fairport was one of Phoebe’s elder sisters.
“Is Fairport here?” Worthington asked.
“Yes, he’ll be over in a moment. Phoebe asked us to look out for you, and we were happy to oblige.” Her ladyship glanced at Grace. “I understand you are both interested in being more active in the party. We can always use a few more good political hostesses.”
Grace nodded. “That is one of the things we wish to do. You know, of course, about the children. Still, we wish to be as active as we are able.”
When Fairport joined them, Matt greeted him. Fairport’s father had been one of his sponsors when he took his seat in the Lords.
Several moments later, Grace and Lady Fairport paused. Taking advantage in the break in their conversation Fairport bowed. “Lady Grace, I’m glad to see you back in Town.”
“Thank you, my lord. May I say you haven’t changed a bit? Neither of you have, my lady.”
Fairport dipped his head slightly, and said in a low voice, “We’re in for it now. Here comes Lady Bellamny.”
Grace’s arm tensed, and she glanced at Matt. “She will want all the details.”
“We should have practiced our roles.” He tried to make light of their pending doom. “Don’t worry about a thing,” he said with more bravado than he felt. “Agree with me, and we will carry it off.”
“Gladly.” Her eyes twinkled. “You are much more inventive than I.”
“Charm, my love, I plan to charm her.” Matt gave the old dragon his most elegant bow. “My lady, how nice to see you.”
Lady Bellamny fixed her sharp, basilisk gaze on him. “Don’t try to flummery me, Worthington. I’ve known you since you were in leading strings. You have no wish at all to see me. Am I to take it the rumors are true?”
“To which rumors are you referring, my lady?” he said with what he thought was sufficient sangfroid
Her cane struck the floor, missing his foot by a hair. “Are you or are you not betrothed?”
Lips twitching, he attempted to keep a broad smile from his face. “Yes. We are.”
“Good.” She turned to Grace. “I never did like the decision you made to remain single. Your mother wouldn’t have wanted it. When is the wedding?”
Before Grace could say a word, he answered, “Tuesday.”
Lady Bellamny’s chins jiggled as she chuckled. “Giving her no chance to get away I see. Well done, my boy. What are you doing about Lady Grace’s brothers and sisters?”
“I am applying for guardianship.” Conversing with Lady Bellamny was like being interrogated by Bow Street Runners.
Her shrewd eyes studied him for a moment. “Excellent. The children need a man, and so do you, my dear.”
Grace blushed deeply, and he wondered if she was thinking about this afternoon.
Smiling kindly, Lady Bellamny patted Grace’s arm. “You’ll find out what I’m talking about soon enough. Now what story am I to put around?”
