Page 54 of How to Tempt an Earl

“A promise is a promise,” Grace said, to put her mind at ease.

The topic was soon forgotten as Adam and Ian joined the ladies.

Adam’s face was flushed with excitement. “Grace, did you know he has thoroughbred race horses?”

“I didn’t.”

“Ten from Tatterstall’s. They’ve won races,” Adam said as he ate a large spoonful of ice cream.

“Please don’t speak with your mouth full,” Grace said.

Adam swallowed. “I want to ride one.”

“One day. With your sister’s approval, of course,” Ian said.

Adam whirled to face her. “Can I, Grace?”

“We’ll see,” she said.

Adam turned back to Ian and soon they were engrossed in talk about horses, fishing, hunting, and whatever else Ian had done on his country estate as a youth. Grace was struck by how well they were getting along, like they’d done this half a dozen times before.

The baron spent little time with his son, and Grace realized that Adam was starving for male attention. Never in her dreams had she thought her brother would get it from Ian. The earl didn’t seem bothered by a young boy’s questions; rather, he seemed amused and entertained.

“Look! Gunter is decorating a cake,” Olivia said.

The confectioner held a cone-shaped pastry bag and was embellishing a cake with beautiful cream rosettes. He worked quickly and expertly, and the layered confection was fast becoming a culinary masterpiece.

“May we go watch?” Ellie said.

“Me, too,” Adam said.

“Go ahead,” Grace said. The girls led Adam away, leaving Grace alone with Ian.

Ian’s eyes held hers. “Now that it is just the two of us, let us talk of the wedding. Is there anything else you require?”

“I’ve already had three gown fittings.” The day after their engagement, she’d visited the dressmaker on Bond Street. The modiste had not been pleased with the tight schedule, but Ian had instructed the woman that he would be paying for the gown. Thereafter, the dressmaker had been nothing but pleasant with Grace.

“If there are any additional expenses you incur, tell the shopkeepers to send me the bills.”

She eyed him warily as the nagging in the back of her mind refused to be stilled. “Why are you doing this?”

“I can afford everything.”

“No. Not that. Why agree to marry?”

“Ellie and Olivia will no longer need the Dragon. They will have you.”

Grace’s lips curled in a smile at the mention of Lady Taddlesworth’s nickname. “No more Dragon. I’m happy to help your sisters.” She stirred her ice, then regarded him closely. “Why else? You’re wealthy enough to retain another widow’s services to abet your sisters. Why else would a man who refuses to marry change his mind?”

“I would think you’d remember the evening at my home when we were discovered together.”

She gave an anxious little cough. “It’s not a memory I’d soon forget, but my point is that you do not have to act honorably.”

“You assume the worst of me, then?”

“No. It’s just—”

“Ah, you do assume the worst. Just because I’ve owned a gaming club does not make me a blackguard.”