Page 56 of Discovering Grace

Jacob went to the yard where he had tied up his horse, a handsome gelding gifted to him by Matthew. The horse had been raised to take a saddle and pull a gig. He was a handsome chestnut with black mane and tail. Though not a golden hunter, Jacob had immediately felt a kinship to the animal.

After mounting the animal, he made his way to Everly Refuge, all the while thinking on Grace and how best he could put the question of courtship to her. They knew each other so well. He did not have a closer friend than Grace.

Dancing with her the previous evening had reminded him of many other times he stood up with her. But it had been different, too. His eyes had never strayed from her lovely face, her enjoyment the deciding factor in his own. The way she smiled was familiar, and endearing, and beautiful. She had always looked like that. Why hadn’t he taken notice of it before?

Birdsong filled the trees along the lane, lifting his spirits and his hopes. Clouds rolled in above him, promising a summer rain. The drizzle started when he came to the Everlys’ property, light enough he felt no need to race up to their door.

As he drew closer to the house, he looked up at the windows. There, framed perfectly, stood Grace. Watching for him.

Jacob hurried the horse along. There was no sense in them getting too damp, after all. He went directly to the stables, allowing one of the grooms to see to the animal. He hurried to the house, going for a back door.

This call was different. Though he had visited the Refuge more times than he could count, this occasion must stand out from that day forth. The anticipation building inside him churned his thoughts, muddling the careful words he had planned until they were nearly forgotten.

One thing he knew for certain, based upon his reactions to even the thought of Grace: Jacob must apologize for ever thinking himself in love with anyone else.

* * *

When Jacob looked up through the rain, seeing Grace in the window, she momentarily forgot how to breathe. Something was different, had been different the last two times she had seen him. Her mind recalled the moment in the orchard, when he had come so near she thought he might do something extraordinary.

She told herself that his mind was full of Hope, and Grace was a convenient substitute for her twin. Believing that had worked. It kept her safe.

Her lips parted, staring down at him, as though she might say something he would somehow hear. Then he looked away and nudged his horse into a canter, riding out of sight around the house.

“Mama?” Grace turned, brushing aside the curtains that half-concealed her from the room. “Jacob is here.”

“Is he?” Mrs. Everly barely glanced up from her sewing, but she wore a neutral expression. “I always enjoy his visits.”

At any moment, the door would open and Jacob would come in. He would sit down and chat about nothing in particular with her mother while Grace’s insides twisted and spun. In front of her mother, she could say almost nothing to Jacob. Nothing that would calm her troubled mind.

“This visit is different,” Grace said, voice almost a whisper.

Needle and thread paused in mid-air, Mama’s whole body went still. Lowering her hand to her lap, she looked up at Grace with eyes full of understanding and sympathy. “I know. You must be calm, Grace.”

A frightened laugh escaped from Grace. She hurried to cover her mouth.

“Oh. Grace.” Her mother put her sewing down and came to Grace’s side. “Dear girl, it is all right.” She put her hands on Grace’s cheeks, steadying her daughter. “This is Jacob. He is your dearest friend. Would it be a comfort to you if I told you how much I hoped for this to happen?”

Grace shook her head. “No. How could you want this? He is a vicar, and will be poor, and mothers want their daughters to marry lords and rich gentlemen.” She bit her tongue, wondering where the nonsense came from.

“Mothers want their daughters to be happy.” Mama stood on her toes to kiss Grace’s forehead. They were both short in stature, so Grace bent enough to allow the token of her mother’s love. “And Jacob has always made you happy.”

They heard the steady rap of riding boots in the passage. Mrs. Everly gave Grace one last encouraging look before gathering up her sewing. Grace stayed near the window, watching the doorway. She would see it all when he entered. She would see that she was wrong. Nothing had changed. Jacob would bow in his usual way, take his customary seat, and speak of the inconsequential.

The door opened, Garrett bowing as he entered. “Mr. Jacob Barnes.” Then Garrett’s glance darted to hers, but she had no time to puzzle over the servant’s knowing expression before Jacob strode into the room.

Jacob had never looked so happy as he did at that moment. An energy came into the room with him, setting her senses to buzzing.

“Good morning, Mrs. Everly.” He bowed to her mother. “Good morning, Grace.”

Had her name sounded different on his lips?

“Good morning, Jacob. Come in, sit down.” Mama acted as though everything was completely ordinary, and the moment Jacob sat she asked after his family.

“I am reading the banns for Matthew and Mrs. Muir this Sunday,” Jacob informed them, his eyes glittering with excitement. “You will all be there?” He looked at Grace, expectant.

“Yes, of course,” she said, somehow maintaining an even tone of voice. “We would not miss it. It is your first sermon.”

He stared at her, his expression falling somewhat. Had she said something wrong? How could she have? She answered a simple question.