“I’d best take your arm, Lord Gresham,” she said serenely, “my violently twisted ankle, you know.”
Chapter Twelve
Grace had foundherself satisfied to see Lord Gresham blanch over mention of her violently twisted ankle.
As they took their places for the dance, he said, “I did think you had a small limp when you came in from the garden this morning?”
“Indeed, I did not,” she said.
“I did think so, though, and thought it would not be wise to put too much strain on it. Perhaps it was just a misperception, then?”
“It was of course very considerate to report my injury to other parties. Myviolentinjury, to be more specific.”
The music struck up and they took their turn first. Grace was satisfied that he did not appear to have an answer. Perhaps she had embarrassed him enough to turn him from his ridiculous efforts. He did not seem one who would be prone to being petty and vindictive, at least she had not thought so. Perhaps he would think better of it going forward. It really was not worthy of him, no matter how put out he’d been that she’d brought gossip down around the ears of the family.
He certainly was pleasant to dance with, that she could not deny.
“I suppose I was mistaken,” Lord Gresham said.
“Very mistaken,” Grace said. She kept her tone neutral and her expression just as vague. It was everything her father had taught her about composure.
“I noticed Mr. Vance takes you into supper?” Lord Gresham said. “I was surprised by it, naturally. I don’t think my aunt would quite approve.”
“Oh, but she did,” Grace said, smiling.
“She did,” Lord Gresham repeated, as if he needed to hear it again to be sure it was true.
“I quite like Mr. Vance,” Grace went on. “He seems such a genuine and kind person. I imagine he is not the sort who might hold a grudge or engage in anything that might be considered vindictive.”
Lord Gresham seemed mightily confused by that assessment and Grace thought he had certainly not unraveled the hint about himself.
They had returned to their places. After thinking for a few minutes—minutes Grace was perfectly happy to allow to go by in silence, he said, “I do hope you are not thinking anything serious regarding Mr. Vance.”
He was outrageous. If he could not turn Mr. Vance away from her, he would try to turn her away from Mr. Vance? Did he really not perceive that his efforts were not up to the standards of a gentleman? She did not know if she would leave the season with a husband, or if she did who that husband would be. But if it were some gentleman present this evening, including Mr. Vance, it was none of Lord Gresham’s affair.
“Any thoughts I have on that particular subject I will very sensibly keep to myself,” Grace said.
“I only say, well that is, what I mean, you see, Vance is all well and good in his own way.”
“I agree.”
“Yes, well as I said, good in his own way, but…”
“Oh yes, he isverygood in his own way,” Grace said.
She was surprised to see Lord Gresham go rather red in the face. What in the world was he trying to accomplish? Was he really determined to turn her from anyone who might express an interest? It was bordering on nonsensical. After all, if she did marry Mr. Vance, she would no longer be connected to his own family—was that not what he wished for?
Whatever it was he meant to accomplish, he did not say anything further to her that was outside of the realms of weather and other commonplaces. He did act so odd though. He’d mentioned he thought it would rain on the morrow three times.
Mr. Vance hadbeen as entertaining as she expected. He was quick to tell Grace that he was absolutely hopeless at solving Lord Ryland’s mysteries. For one thing, he could never quite believe that anybody in the story was an actual murderer. For another, reading and eating supper at the same time was inconvenient. And for another, he always got a little bored with the whole operation. There had been some years when the mystery had been solved speedily, which had been a delight. But there had been other years when it just dragged on and on.
Grace had laughed and promised she’d do her best to solve it speedily so he would not find himself yawning.
Now, they had entered Lord Ryland’s dining room. For all she’d been told of the mystery supper, nobody had mentioned the unusual aspects of the room and its set-up. It was the largest dining room she’d ever seen, or that she suspected existed in all of England. Perhaps only the palaces might claim one larger, though she could not know if that were true or not. There was not one table but many, all arranged to seat four people. Lastly, it appeared their places were assigned, though Grace could not work out what the formula was for who sat where. It was certainly not by rank, as the duchess was seated with Mr. Grubb, the eldest son of a baron and one of Mr. Jacobs’ unfortunate friends. The duchess did not look at all enthusiastic about it.
Grace and Mr. Vance were led to a table with Lord Mullhill and Lady Featherstone. Grace had met the lord at Lady Easton’s musical evening and found him a genial gentleman, and of course Lady Featherstone was always pleasant. Mr. Vance was equally acquainted with their tablemates, and it seemed as if it would be a jolly party.
As they were talking of this or that, Lord Gresham appeared from nowhere and broke into their conversation.
