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“I doubt he knows that I arrived in England just yesterday. You can tell him you have been in town for a while.”
Grace shook her head and stood because the whole idea made her uneasy. “There has to be another way, Melanie. This is dangerous for both of us.”
Melanie grasped her hand and her eyes began to fill with tears. “My father is adamant to have me marry a nobleman. You are bolder than me, and you can deter the Marquess much better than I ever could. I implore you, Grace. Help me.”
“Melanie…I cannot.” It pained Grace to say that, and she winced when a tear fell down her friend’s cheek.
“I know what I am asking you is difficult, and I wish I did not have to.” Melanie sniffled. “This is my only chance to find love.”
The mention of love made Grace shut her eyes for a moment before returning to sit beside Melanie. Her friend had dreamed of finding love since they were young, and Grace’s need to help her grew. What if this was Melanie’s only chance?
“Very well,” she conceded, and trepidation circled her like a bird of prey. There were a hundred ways this could go wrong, and it was impossible to know which of them was worse than the other.
CHAPTERTWO
Devlin Redmond, the Marquess of Anglesey, stepped into Redmond Manor after an eventful day, hoping to go straight to his chambers to rest. However, the sight of the housekeeper and his grandfather’s valet talking in hushed whispers told him it was not to be so.
There was a grave air about them that alarmed him, and he immediately asked, “Where is the Duke?”
The housekeeper exchanged a look with the valet before she said, “The physician just left, My Lord.”
“His Grace is unwell,” the valet, Evans, said what Devlin had already guessed. There was something behind Evans’ expression that he was unable to comprehend, and that deepened his consternation.
“He was fine this morning,” he muttered.
“The fever came suddenly, My Lord,” Evans explained.
Devlin immediately took the stairs, two at a time, to his grandfather’s chambers. He entered the chambers and found his grandfather beneath a mountain of covers, his face pale as a ghost’s in the dimly lit room, and he was shivering. Julius Redmond’s health had been declining in the past year, which was expected in an eighty-year-old man, and every time he fell ill, Devlin feared the worst.
“Grandfather,” he said, sitting on the bed. This was the palest he had ever seen him, and his insides sunk.
Julius groaned weakly and opened his eyes. “Dev, is that you?”
“Yes, Grandfather. Do not strain yourself by speaking.”
“No…there is…something…that I must…” Julius paused to take a long, labored breath before continuing, “tell you.”
“You do not have to tell me now,” Devlin said. “Please rest.”
His grandfather gave a slight shake of his head, and Devlin understood. Julius was not sure how long he had left. Devlin shut his eyes as dread tensed his body. His father and older brother, Eugene, had been taken from him four years ago, forcing him to inherit a title he had never been prepared for. He was not ready for another loss and the burden of another title.
His grandfather’s sudden coughs interrupted his thoughts, and Devlin quickly helped him up and placed several pillows behind him to keep him upright. Every sound that came out of Julius rasped against Devlin’s composure, and he considered calling the physician back.
However, the coughs subsided after a short while, and Devlin gave him some warm tea, which was on a tray on the nightstand to drink. Julius sighed after drinking enough and raised a trembling hand to point at an end table on his left. “There is…something there…a sheet. Bring it to me.”
Devlin stood and walked around the bed to the table. He picked up the sheet and glanced down at it to see a list of names, female names. His jaw hardened because he was already guessing what his grandfather’s request would be. Nevertheless, he took the sheet to him and sat.
“The years are against me, Dev,” Julius began, and the tea seemed to have restored him somewhat because he spoke easier now. “I am not afraid of death, but I will have one very grave regret if I die now.”
“What would that regret be?” Devlin asked carefully.
“The Redmond bloodline is not secure. I want you to marry so you may have an heir. This is my final wish, Dev.”
Devlin glanced at the list on Julius’ lap. “I suppose this is the list of ladies you want me to consider marrying?”
“Yes.” Julius covered his mouth with a handkerchief and coughed.
Devlin knew he would have to marry someday but now was not the time. His profession ensured he would be placing a woman in danger if he married now. Of course, he understood his grandfather’s concerns and respected them.
