Page 49 of The Trouble with a Dare

Well, the direct approach was best after all, and hardly a surprise.

“Because I do not wish to be at outs with you. I know you do not approve of me, but I am your daughter-in-law, whether you approve or not. Our lives will be easier if we get along.”

Mrs Oak gave a snort at that and lifted her teacup to her mouth, taking a sip.

“This is a lovely cottage,” Grace said, looking about her. “I must confess I have been suffering agonies of guilt thinking about you being thrown out of your home, but I rather think I’ll stop worrying now. It is perfectly charming.”

“Aye, no expense spared,” Mrs Oak said wryly, shaking her head.

Grace bristled at her tone. “Why should he spare any expense? You are his mother, and he wishes for you to be comfortable.”

A pinched expression crossed the woman’s face, and she looked away. Grace puzzled over it.

“You could come to the house, you know. We could have you to lunch on Sunday, if you would like. Mrs Gladwish always makes enough to feed an army.”

“More waste,” Mrs Oak muttered with a sniff. “I’ll not come where I’m not welcome.”

Her chin was up, her back ramrod straight, and Grace studied her, trying to understand this uncompromising woman. She was clearly proud and hard, unbending too, but why?

“Has your family always lived here, Mrs Oak?”

“Sterling bade you call me Martha,” she said, setting down her cup and saucer.

“Yes, but you did not give me leave to do so,” Grace replied.

“Martha is fine,” she muttered impatiently, before picking up the plate of scones and offering it to Grace.

Grace took one with a murmur of thanks, watching avidly as Mrs Oak took her own and broke it in two. She spread a little butter on top, a scant spoonful of jam, and took a bite. Grace watched, more nervous than she liked to admit, wishing the woman had not been so stingy with the butter and jam.

“Good,” Martha said begrudgingly.

Grace let out a breath of laughter. “But not as good as yours,” she guessed.

She thought perhaps Martha’s lips twitched, just a little.

“No,” she said. “But the jam is better than my last batch,” she added generously.

“Ha!” Grace said, triumphant. “I am not so very useless after all.”

“I never said you were useless.”

With a quirk of one eyebrow, Grace met the woman’s eyes.

Martha let out an impatient breath. “You’re not the sort who should live on a farm, and you know it. He knows it, more to the point. Your great-grandfather was an earl, was he not?”

Grace shrugged. “Yes, and he was a vile man too, so what does it signify? My mother was penniless before my father wed her. She looked after her aunt whilst she was dying, struggling to make ends meet. She had to cook and sew and clean, for she could afford no one to do it for her. I have been raised a lady with every advantage, that is true, but my parents have also taught me the value of hard work and to respect endeavour. I know how to cook and how to run a household without waste, and I wish to be a help to my husband, only he will not let me.”

“Of course he won’t,” Martha said with a tut of impatience. “The thought of your lily-white hands dirtying themselves on a farm,” she made a sound of amusement and shook her head.

“I was not suggesting I take up a scythe or shear the sheep myself,” Grace said, setting down her cup and saucer with a bit more force than was necessary. “But I have a brain in my head. I have been reading about farming, trying to understand it. I wish to be someone he can discuss his problems with. I do not expect to ever have his knowledge. I am not so arrogant to believe I can learn it all from a book. But if I educate myself, I could be someone he could talk to. Perhaps he could even find a use for me, for I have time to read and research which Sterling does not have, for all his experience. I could be a help to him somehow, I am sure.”

Martha looked at her with interest. “And what about all the parties and balls your friends host, and a London season? Won’t you miss your all that, the theatre and all the entertainments?”

“I have never had that, so why should I miss it?” Grace pointed out. “Sterling and I married before I came out, and I have always lived quietly in the country. I won’t deny the odd trip to London would be a pleasure, but I have no wish to spend the entire season in London when Sterling is needed here. Nor would I have him be made uncomfortable, and I know he would not be happy living in town.”

“You could go alone, you’ve friends enough. He doesn’t need you here,” Martha said, and whilst there was no cruelty in the words, there was a look in her eyes that was calculating, considering.

Grace stiffened. “I do not wish to live apart from my husband. Sterling may not need me, but I need him. I should be wretched if we were parted.”