Page 43 of The Trouble with a Dare

Grace turned in his arms and stared up at him, unable to believe he could be so very generous. He pressed a finger to her lips, correctly interpreting her desire to speak and silencing her again.

“You are not so innocent now, and you must know there are men in this world who go from woman to woman, slaking their lust wherever they desire. Physical pleasure is a temptation. It is not just men who feel it, though many seem to wish to believe it. This notion that women are devoid of passion or sexual desire is not only a wicked lie, it is dangerous. To deny the obvious and button everyone up behind layers of lies dressed up as morality is sheer folly. We are human, Grace, every one of us. We are fallible and we make mistakes.”

“Y-You can forgive me?” she asked, disbelieving still that it could be so easy.

“Ah, love. There’s nothing to forgive, and no shame in wanting me. It does not make you wicked or lascivious or whatever other nonsense has made you so very unhappy. Indeed, the news makes me very happy indeed, for I want you very much, Grace, and it would pain me to think you did not feel the same.”

“Oh,” she said, and turned in his arms to throw her arms about his neck and hold on tight as she wept. He hugged her close to him, his big hand stroking up and down her back as he made soothing sounds to calm her. Once she had herself back in some semblance of control, he handed her a handkerchief, and she wiped her eyes and blew her nose.

“Better?” he asked, pushing back a strand of hair that had fallen into her eyes.

“Much. So much,” she added ruefully. “I do not think I deserve you, Sterling Oak.”

“No,” he said, his expression sorrowful. “You must have been very wicked in a past life to deserve such a fate.”

She laughed, amazed that such a thing was possible when she had been so utterly wretched such a short time ago.

“We shall talk again, Grace,” he warned. “From now on, I insist you tell me what is in your heart, whenever you are troubled or afraid. Promise me you won’t keep secrets from me again.”

He looked so very grave, his handsome face all harsh lines in the fading light, but his eyes were not harsh. They were warm and loving and so very understanding.

“I promise,” she said, wondering at her own good fortune. Perhaps she had needed to suffer a fall, to plummet to the terrifying depths where she had feared she was ruined and everything lost to her, so that she could appreciate just what she had been given in return for that pain.

“Now then, we have a dinner party to go to,” he said, giving her a wry smile.

“Oh, no, but… but I couldn’t. I must look a shocking sight,” she protested, horrified at the thought of facing everyone now.

Sterling reached out and caught her chin in his hand. Carefully, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her mouth. “You took my breath away when I saw you coming down the stairs earlier. I cannot quite believe you are really mine, my beautiful little wren. Not only beautiful, but brave too, to tell me the truth when you were foolish enough to think I would be angry with you. As if I ever could be,” he added with a laugh.

“Oh, I suspect it is possible,” she said with perfect sincerity. “My brother tells me I’m the most annoying female that ever lived.”

“Well, happily, I am not your brother,” he said, setting her back on the seat beside him and gathering up the reins again. “And you cannot disappoint your friends by not appearing, for they shall think it is my fault and I shall have Bainbridge back causing havoc and throwing his considerable weight about.”

Grace sniffed and put her hands to her hair, trying to set herself to rights. “Everyone will see I’ve been crying,” she said anxiously. “My eyes and nose must be all red.”

Sterling got the horse walking out again and turned back to her. “You have until we get there to compose yourself and, if you can’t, you’ll have the entertainment of seeing Bainbridge throttle me for upsetting you.”

“Indeed, he will not,” she said, indignant on his behalf.

Sterling grinned at her. “Will you protect me, love, like you did from my mother?” he asked, amused.

She sat up straighter and put up her chin. “I shall protect you from anyone who thinks to offer you insult,” she said with great dignity, meaning every word.

He shook his head in wonder, mightily entertained it would seem. “What a tigress I have married. Perhaps I must call you my little tiger instead?”

Grace frowned and shook her head. “Oh, no, please….” she began, before she saw the teasing light in his eyes. “Oh, you,” she huffed, but smiled all the same, happy that he would banter so playfully with her.

“No, little wren is perfect after all,” he mused. “For a wren might be tiny, but it has a remarkably loud voice.”

Grace smacked his shoulder, pretending to glare at him, and he laughed, his deep voice echoing through the darkening countryside and making her heart giddy with pleasure.

Chapter 15

Monsieur Le Comte,

I am relieved by your explanation, though I am afraid I shall continue to say whatever is on my mind as I always do. That is the price of my friendship. I shall never flatter you or bat my eyelashes at you or wish to hear you flatter me in return. There is honesty between us, and I value that greatly. So greatly that I shall never offer you anything else, nor modify my words or my opinions to avoid shocking you. A wretched creature I am, and I know it. There are few people in this world—least of all men—who would stand for it, but I do not think you truly wish me to be any different. For you know you can trust me, Louis, with anything and everything, as I know I can trust you.

I am not a fool, and I realise if the world knew of our friendship, they would be horrified and not understand it. I am not such a ninny to allow anyone outside of my family and closest friends to know of it, but I will not change it no matter the cost, for to change it would be to destroy it. So, I will vex you, my dearest friend, and I am sorry that it upsets you, but I think perhaps you need to be vexed now and again. For the world takes one look at your beautiful face and sighs, giving over whatever it is you desire with barely a murmur. That is not good for you, and I think you know it.