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Chapter Ten
“Andwhatdoyouthink of the view, Miss Stewart?” Lord Brown asked as he patted her hand where it rested against his arm.
Grace tore her attention away from his touch—and how little it did to her heart—and tried to focus on the gently falling snow across the back lawn.
“It is a very lovely view,” she said, her tone far from enthusiastic.
“I believe any woman of refinement would find this view most enjoyable all year around.”
“I suppose so.” Grace still could not drum up the excitement Lord Brown seemed to think such a vista should inspire. Ah well, she knew the reason. It was because themanbeside her had ceased to elicit anything in her. While Lord Brown continued to look out the large window in the drawing room, pointing out a few particular points of interest, Grace allowed her gaze to land on him.
How was it that only a few weeks ago, the mere mention of Lord Brown had brought her such joy, and now it led her to feel absolutely nothing?
When had the change begun? She couldn’t say. Her infatuation with the baron was over before she’d even realized it was waning. How odd it now felt to stand beside him, the very man who’d inspired many a dream in her not so long ago, and feel indifference.
Not that he wasn’t a good man. Not that any woman wouldn’t be blessed to have a connection with him.
Only, she found she was not longing for that connection herself.
Good heavens, what was she going to tell Mother?
She’d never understand.
“Miss Stewart,” came a deep familiar voice. Lord Weston’s voice.
His, however, was like a yule log blaze, one that warmed her completely through. Grace turned, letting Lord Brown’s arm drop away, and curtsied to Lord Weston and Lady Katherine.
“Good afternoon to you both,” she said, though she barely could force her gaze away from Lord Weston.
His smile was small—no broad grin that spread ear to ear—yet it seemed sincere, and Grace even believed she saw a spark of something more. A promise? A desire?
Her heart lurched at the notion. Grace turned her head away so he wouldn’t see her blush. How could such a mundane, unremarkable expression as a simple smile elicit such intense heat inside her?
“Lord Weston had a marvelous idea just now,” Lady Katherine said, addressing them all but not bothering to ever look directly at Grace. “He proposed we all take a sleigh ride. Last night’s snowfall undoubtedly rendered the nearby forest quite magical.” She squeezed Lord Weston’s arm.
A strange surge of biting discomfort swelled in Grace.
Jealousy, Grace was quickly learning, was not a pleasant emotion.
Lady Katherine reached for Lord Brown with her spare hand, looping it around his arm and pulling him to her so that she had a man standing on either side. Grace didn’t miss the small look of triumph Lady Katherine shot her. “Won’t it be glorious all riding together?”
“It is a good idea,” Lord Brown said, “however, won’t Lady Augusta, Lord Andrews, and Mr. Banfield care to join us? Not to mention my mother. She’s never been one to turn down a sleigh ride. We’ll have to split up and take three sleighs, at least.”
“Do you have so many?” Lady Katherine asked him, her tone taking on a fake quality, as though astonished at the prospect.
Lord Weston’s gaze slid to Grace and his look clearly said he saw straight through Lady Katherine’s ruse. They shared a smile.
Lord Brown, for his part, only puffed his chest out. “I do indeed have many fine vehicles. I shall have them readied at once, and just as soon as you ladies are dressed in your warmest, we shall be off.”
“I cannot wait,” Lady Katherine said with a giggle. “It will be such fun to see the lovely countryside beside two handsome men.”
Seeing the three of them together rather irked Grace. She’d known many women like Lady Katherine during her Season. Ladies who needed all the attention, all the men, all the compliments and praise. Grace was tired of it. Of the games and posturing. She wanted to spend some time with her friend, the man who filled her mind while also heating her heart. Rather than making her feel less important, as Lady Katherine was no doubt trying to do, all her silly antics left Grace feeling rather bold.
“Yes,” Grace said, “I’m afraid Ihavebeen monopolizing all of Lord Brown’s time this morning. Of course you would want to ride with him.” Grace slid her hand around Lord Weston’s arm. “Shall we go tell the others of your idea?”
Without allowing anyone a moment to respond, they walked out of the room, leaving a silent Lord Brown and a stunned Lady Katherine behind.
“That was smoothly done,” Lord Weston said, his voice low.
