AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Nine
“Areyouheadingdownstairsfor breakfast?” Lady Augusta asked, crossing the corridor to stand beside Grace.
“I thought I might wait a bit before going down.”
Lady Augusta’s brow dropped. “You always go down first thing.”
Grace hadn’t realized her habits had been so noticed among the other guest at Bridgecross. Apparently, her lack of polishing school was making itself known again.
“True.” Grace stumbled over the word. “But I thought I might enjoy some morning light through the window first.” Actually, though she’d gotten up early same as every morning, it wasn’t until she was dressed and in the corridor that she remembered her mother’s admonition that she spend less time with Lord Weston and more with Lord Brown.
Now, she was stuck in the corridor, not wanting to return to her room, but knowing she shouldn’t go to breakfast just yet.
“If you don’t go, won’t you be leaving a certain gentleman waiting for you?”
Grace’s cheeks heated. Oh dear. She had been woefully wrong in assuming her time with Lord Weston was going unnoticed.
“I am sure he won’t be put out,” Grace muttered.
“Well, I’m not,” Lady Augusta said.
Grace glanced up at the woman who had been a stranger only a few weeks ago but had easily become a comfortable friend. “I am from the country. My father holds no title. My mother has no lofty connections.” Grace folded her arms tightly against her chest as she spoke, dropping her voice to be sure they weren’t overheard. “Lord Weston is anearl. Though we enjoy one another’s company, I am not so deluded as to hope for anything coming of it.”
Lady Augusta reached out and took hold of Grace’s hand. “I understand what you’re saying, and I hope you won’t grow offended at what I wish to say in return.” She waited, as though needing Grace’s permission to continue.
Grace nodded. She wasn’t sure she’d be happy with what her friend said, but she would hear her out, regardless.
“I know connections between two people from different stations is hard, and I wouldn’t encourage you at all if I didn’t feel very strongly about this. But do you remember when Lady Katherine mentioned the way Lord Weston supposedly looks atallwomen?” Lady Augusta dropped her voice. “All intense and brooding.”
Grace smiled. How could she forget? It had been an extremely uncomfortable and humbling conversation.
“She was wrong,” Lady Augusta continued. “Lord Weston doesn’t look ateverywoman that way. He only ever looks that way when he’s looking atyou.”
Grace’s heart skipped a beat, then started again with a force so strong it seemed it might bruise her ribs. “Do you really think so?”
Lady Augusta gave her hand a squeeze.
“I would never encourage you in something I wasn’t quite confident in. It’s true I hesitated to say anything at all, only...I would hate it even more if assumptions led you to miss out on something magical this Christmas.”
Grace didn’t know what to say.
“He truly does look at you differently,” Lady Augusta continued. “And the way he cheered for you last night? I would be hesitant to infer he only wants friendship.”
Could Lady Augusta be right? Grace had never allowed herself to think of Lord Weston as anything more than a surprisingly considerate gentleman.
“I don’t know what to do,” Grace heard herself say.
Lady Augusta smiled, her gaze flitting up to the ceiling. “My dear friend Lady Lambert would say to be audacious. But what I think you need to do now is determine for yourself which man you prefer. Who is most likely to make you happy?”
What a strange thing to have happen to her, the simple Grace Stewart. The entire London Season had come and gone and not a single gentleman of her acquaintance had shown her the least bit of interest. Now, she had two men who were vying for her affection. At least, she did if Lady Augusta was to be believed.
“Now,” Lady Augusta said, taking a step back. “I think I shall take breakfast in my chamber; leave the room downstairs open for others who wish for a moreprivateconversation.”
As Lady Augusta slipped into her room, a smile spread across Grace’s face. Could her new friend be right?
And if she was, what then?
A thrill shot through her at the possibilities.
