Page 30 of Discovering Grace

As Hope’s sister, what was her duty to them both? She could not encourage Jacob, with his heart set upon her sister. Not when she knew how wrong they were for each other. Hope had never said anything to indicate she cared for Jacob as more than a friend. But if he approached her as a suitor, things might change.

It took a great deal of strength for Grace to get through the visit with the husband, wife, and small children of the Wright household. In every tender look the couple shared, she saw what she could not have. With the two younger children playing near their hearth, and Mrs. Wright’s hand upon her child-swollen middle, the entire scene of domestic felicity was more than she could bear.

When they took their leave at last, Jacob insisting on helping her onto the cart, Grace wanted nothing more than to bid him good day. Perhaps give in to another bout of crying. But she kept a pleasant countenance, and if Jacob noticed anything amiss, he said nothing.

His thoughts were likely too occupied with Hope to pay much attention to Grace. She clung to that thought, though its barbs pierced her heart, for the remainder of their time together that afternoon.

* * *

The dress Grace wore to Sir Isaac’s dinner party was one of Hope’s particular favorites. The yellow satin fabric was perfectly complimented by a deep purple shawl. At least, Hope had always thought the two perfect together. For Grace’s part, she much preferred softer colors to bold. Perhaps the bright colors gave her sister an added measure of confidence. Perhaps they drew the eyes of others more often, making Hope stand out as she wished.

Perhaps one of the reasons Jacob had more affection for Hope was due to her cheery wardrobe.

Grace stepped into Sir Isaac’s foyer, releasing her father’s arm to make her curtsy to her friend. Had she been herself, Grace would have shared a quiet smile with him before exchanging greetings. As Hope, she instead had to beam as though vying with the chandelier for brilliance.

“Sir Isaac.” She imitated her sister’s fond manner of speaking to their dear friend. “I am thankful you invited us, as it saved me from having to storm your home in a quest to ascertain your well-being. I have not seen you in such a long time.”

Isaac grinned back at her, his spirit as adventurous as Hope’s. “When one goes to war, it leaves a great many things undone at home. I am attempting to put everything to rights and I’ve had little time for visits. Soon, though, I should like to call upon you for one of our rambles.”

“That would be delightful.” She waited for her father to make his greetings to the host. Then she looped her arm through Papa’s and walked into the parlor off the dining room. Isaac’s mother had been the last woman to decorate the house, which meant a great many of the rooms were out of date in terms of fashion. The familiar pink and gold furnishings did something to steady Grace’s nerves, however, so she could not think ill of them.

Mr. and Mrs. Parr were present, with their daughter, Miss Bettina Parr, newly come out. Although not part of Miss Parr’s set, to see another young lady present gave Grace leave to relax. In fact, since Miss Parr did not know Grace or Hope particularly well, that gave Grace more room to make mistakes.

She had barely exchanged greetings with the Parrs when the Barnes entered the room, followed by Isaac. Mrs. Barnes, tall and stately, floated gracefully into the room. Matthew Barnes, the head of the family, escorted his mother with easy confidence. Then came Miss Elizabeth Barnes on Jacob’s arm, her sister Mary behind them.

Jacob. He cut a fine figure in his dark blue waistcoat, a pristine white cravat at his throat. When she met his eyes, he winked.

Her heart stammered and stuttered, though her mind immediately berated it. The wink was naught more than a friendly offer of support, meant to bolster her confidence. Still, she had to turn away to keep her composure.

Nothing about the ruse she acted out met with Jacob’s approval. Not really. Believing that Hope had orchestrated the entire switch was the only reason he had ceased to speak against the plan. Had he known Grace was behind it, he surely wouldn’t look upon her with any measure of friendliness or offer support.

Isaac drew Matthew and Jacob into conversation, speaking with them on a matter regarding the vicarage. Mrs. Barnes drifted away from her sons, but rather than go to the other matron in the room, she came across the carpet to where Grace stood with her father.

“Mr. Everly, Miss Everly, I am delighted to see you both. I understand Mrs. Everly is away visiting her sister?” She looked from one to the other with a genteel smile. The two women had been friends for many years. “You must miss her, given Miss Grace’s absence, and the children away at school.”

“We do, Mrs. Barnes.” Papa sighed deeply. “The house is far too quiet of late. Occasionally, I fancy stomping through the passageways merely to make some noise.”

“Ah, I understand. I have felt that way a time or two myself. It is somewhat distressing to know Jacob will be out of our home soon, though I know he looks forward to taking up his place at the vicarage.”

Grace’s eyes drifted to where Jacob stood, admiring the broad grin he wore as he spoke with animation to his brother and Isaac. He said something she could not hear and the two men laughed. Jacob’s head turned in her direction and she swiftly dropped her gaze, as she had been doing for months, so he would not know she gave him any more attention than she ought.

When she attempted to return her focus to Mrs. Barnes, her gaze collided with the older woman’s piercing stare. Mrs. Barnes raised an eyebrow at her. “And you, Miss Everly. Do you miss your sister?”

“Terr—” She broke off and cleared her throat when her voice emerged hoarse. “Yes. Terribly.”

“Hope has born the separation better than I thought she might.” Pride tinted Papa’s words.

Guilt wormed its way further into her heart. All that pride would evaporate the moment he knew the truth. Yet she would not tell him until she absolutely must. She would not take Hope’s place aboard that ship, and until she knew her sister successfully made it out of port, she mustn’t say anything.

The butler came into the room, announcing dinner. The men and women fell into place, each by order of importance, by marital state, by age. Grace went before the other unmarried misses, on Mr. Parr’s arm. Jacob took up the rear with Miss Parr, as he was the only unmarried and unlanded gentleman in the party. When everyone took their chairs, the foot of the table unoccupied, Grace found herself seated directly across from Jacob.

He shared a friendly smile she had no choice but to return, and then the soup was served. Seated between Mr. Barnes and Mr. King, Grace conversed with them on the subject of horses. Though she did not know as much as Hope about the beasts, she held her own well enough.

“I have heard you are a fine horsewoman, Miss Everly.” Mr. King addressed her with polite interest. “Sir Isaac is most adamant that we go riding together while I am visiting.”

“Ah, now there is a dangerous thing,” Matthew Barnes said at her other side. “Miss Everly has had the most unfortunate luck in her races of late. The last resulted in an injury.”

Mr. King’s eyes widened. “I am sorry to hear that, Miss Everly.”