Archbroke came to a stop beside Theo. He glared at the physical touch. “Love, why are you about to inflict pain upon Harrington?”
Theo released his wrist, but her gaze never left Matthew’s face.
He considered the woman like a sister, and of course, he would do anything she asked. Which she rarely did. Matthew released a sigh of resignation. “I’ll be around tomorrow to finish this discussion.”
Theo’s smile beamed with triumph. Possessively Archbroke placed his hand on Theo’s lower back. “What discussion?”
“Oh, nothing. We were just reminiscing and discussing childhood pranks. But I asked Matthew to visit tomorrow. I haven’t seen him since…” Theo’s eyes watered. “Well, since Baldwin died.”
At his wife’s upset, Archbroke’s pompous demeanor fell away and he swiped the lone tear that had escaped, rolling down her cheek. Archbroke murmured in a tone Matthew had never heard before, “Of course, Harrington should come to visit.” His superior then turned to address him directly. “We would be delighted to have you visit for a drink.”
Theo inched a step closer and whispered in her husband’s ear. With a slight roll of the eyes, Archbroke said, “You are welcome to visit our home regardless if I’m present or not.” The couple shared a look that simultaneously conveyed both a challenge and immense love for one another. How astonishing that both sentiments could be expressed within a singular stare. The dynamics between the pair were intriguing. There was a strong undercurrent of respect, freedom, and love that flowed between them. Matthew sucked in a breath. Theo and Archbroke’s connection mirrored the one he once had with Grace. They possessed the type of relationship he had hoped to return to upon his release from captivity.
Archbroke winged his arm. “It’s time we all return to the party.”
Matthew blindly followed the pair who were still nonverbally communicating. Why would Theo seek out his help when she had Archbroke clearly in hand?
Grace’s tinkling laughter brought his attention back to the couple who were the cause of the celebration. Ellingsworth looked down at the woman whose mere smile sent Matthew’s pulse racing. He couldn’t blame the man for looking like a besotted fool. After all, Ellingsworth was lucky to be marrying such an astonishing woman.
Matthew had to look away. Grace’s smiles were causing a cascade of emotions he dared not acknowledge. He needed to escape. He pushed his way through the crowd of guests to the foyer.
Lord Flarinton stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Lord Flarinton. I have another matter to attend to.”
“Don’t lie to me, boy.”
Ah. He was dealing with the astute mastermind of foreign affairs. The man he had considered like a papa since the death of his own. The man whom he wanted to model his own life after. But Lord Flarinton would never endorse the plans he had for Burke. Even if the man could recall all of Burke’s devious schemes. It had taken Matthew, Grace, and Lord Flarinton years to eliminate Burke’s smuggling rings and shut down his gambling halls that went without policing and drove many a man to his own death, leaving genteel families destitute. The only scheme left to disband was Burke’s most lucrative—the selling of English artifacts.
Flarinton’s gaze hardened. “You will stay and support Gracie, even if it kills you. That is an order.”
“Yes, my lord.” Matthew wouldn’t dream of denying the man.
Without Flarinton, Matthew would have failed as the primary liaison between the Home and Foreign offices, a role he had held up until his absence. Upon his return, Matthew was surprised that the position hadn’t been filled by either his sister or another agent, but by Theo. And from all accounts, the woman had done an outstanding job of ensuring the two departments worked together in harmony.
Matthew led Flarinton back to the party. As they reentered the room, Lady Flarinton’s strained features relaxed, the worry over her absent husband replaced by relief. Placing his clenched fists behind him, Matthew stood near the entrance and watched Flarinton return to his wife’s side. Ellingsworth stood slightly to Grace’s right. The man’s jovial smile was firmly in place until his gaze fell upon Matthew.
Matthew’s mind screamed. Turn. Leave.
The experience of another man standing mere inches away from Grace, exhibiting all the traits of a man infatuated with his betrothed, was far worse than what he had endured upon the Continent.
Chapter Eight
A lock of hair at the back of Grace’s neck brushed against the sensitive spot Matthew loved to nibble. Pressing her eyes closed for a moment, she let the fantasy of having his lips upon her play out. She missed the thrill of his kisses on her neck, along her jaw, down the slope of her breast, and, most of all, between her thighs. Her hands balled at her side. No matter how much she ached for him, he remained out of reach. If her mind would refrain from linking every event, conversation, or smell with the man, her heart might have a chance to heal. Without Matthew in her life, a gaping hole in the vital organ had formed. A slight rise in her body temperature meant he had returned from his jaunt into the gardens. Grace held her breath and opened her eyes. Matthew stood frozen at the threshold.
What was he doing? Matthew never stood still.
His ability to breeze into a room and enter a discussion with any group regardless of whatever event they were attending was the one skill Matthew possessed that Grace had envied the most. Yet he remained rooted to the spot, his eyebrows scrunched, eyes narrowed, and lips drawn into a tight line. He appeared as if he was preparing himself to enter a battle, not a room full of friends and family.
“It’s time your papa and I retired.” Her mama’s sweet voice startled Grace. “You know what occurs when he becomes overtired.”
Her mama placed a light touch upon her husband’s arm and left with a swish of skirts. Her papa smiled at guests as he and her mama bid them a good eve. Matthew shifted to allow her parents to pass. After a brief exchange with her mama, his scowl disappeared, and a hesitant smile appeared. Not at all surprising, her mama, like Matthew, had an innate ability to set everyone at ease. Unfortunately, it was not a trait Grace had inherited.
She could feel Ellingsworth’s eyes boring down on her, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away from Matthew, who bowed as her parents left. He promptly made his way across the room, ignoring the other guests, to where Blake and Lucy stood talking with the Home Office messenger, Mr. Jones.
Tobias shifted to stand before her, blocking her view of the group. “I’d wager that Matthew was ordered to remain despite his wishes to leave the festivities.”
She raised her gaze to his and, through lips that were plastered in a smile, asked, “Who would issue such an order?”
“Your papa.” Ellingsworth’s weight shifted slightly forward, breaching the socially accepted distance between them. To on lookers it might appear an intimate gesture by her fiancé, but she knew better. The man was attempting to loom above her in an endeavor to dominate her and the space between them.
Standing her ground, Grace replied, “Why would he?”
“Because your papa agreed it was best if everyone believed we are to be wed. He has even offered to assist.” Tobias stuck his elbow out and said, “Don’t look so shocked. He was of sound mind when we discussed the matter. Now, let’s take a turn about the room. I’m sure a riddle or two will liven up the evening.”
Grace dutifully placed her hand on the crook of his arm as she slid a glance over at Matthew. The material of his coat was stretched taut across his back. Faced away from her, she studied his reflection in the windows. His scowl had returned. Their eyes met in the glass, and she sent him a plea to see through the facade to the truth. Matthew blinked, and the slight tilt of his head breathed hope into Grace that he might, just might, have understood her message.
Tobias’s arm muscle twitched beneath her hand. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “It is imperative everyone believes you intend to marry me willingly. Including Har
rington.”
She rolled her shoulders slightly forward and then back before she nodded. Grace could only hope Matthew had noted the brief movement, their private signal that she wished to meet him at the gazebo to discuss an important matter.
Tobias maneuvered them through the room toward Lord Burke. Every fiber in her body bristled at being in close proximity to the devil. The man was responsible for Matthew and the others’ captivity. Grace glanced at Tobias as he slowed his pace. He appeared relaxed and jovial, but Grace could feel the anger radiating from his tense body with every step they took.
He murmured, “Burke may be my sire, but he holds none of my respect. The man only cares for one person, himself. We will need to convince him we remain his pawns, willing to be easily manipulated and abide by his wishes. Am I clear?”
The edge to Tobias’s words left no doubt in Grace’s mind that the man had no qualms in deceiving his own papa. “Crystal.”
Tobias let out a loud chuckle. “My dear, you are ever so clever.”
Grace straightened her shoulders as she came to stand before Lord Burke. A tingling sensation ran along her spine. She was certain Matthew’s gaze was fully trained on them. She ignored the temptation to turn around.
“Ah. What a lovely couple.” Lord Burke’s large hand landed on Tobias’s shoulder briefly. Tobias dipped his shoulder forward and acted as if the weight of it was too mighty for him.
Her betrothed was no weakling. The muscles in his forearm were drawn taut beneath her fingers. Grace suspected Tobias simply did not care for his papa’s touch.
Lord Burke smoothly placed his fallen hand behind his back. “Lady Grace, the hour grows late, and only the young remain. I shall bid you good eve.” The old man leaned forward. “I’ve arranged for the banns to be read the weekend following the Fairmont ball.”
That meant she had three weeks of hell to endure.
Tobias smiled and responded, “Splendid.”
He patted her hand as her fingers dug into his arm. Her molars were about to crack from the force with which she gritted them together as she stood within five feet from the man she utterly despised.
With a grin that left Grace itching to slap the man, Lord Burke stepped around them and left.
Grace frowned. “Did your papa not expect us to move to let him pass?”
“He believes I don’t possess enough sense to know better.” Tobias tapped her hand with his forefinger. “You will have to do better next time. I’d like to survive the next few weeks without incurring bodily harm.”
“I beg your pardon?”
He flexed his arm. “You have an impressive grip.”
Grace drew back and clasped her hands firmly in front of her. What must the others believe with her holding on to Tobias like that all this time? She searched the room for Matthew. He stood with his back to her, facing Lucy and Blake, who glared at her. There was no mistaking the meaning behind their narrowed gazes. They were furious with her.
The patter of slippers from behind had Grace whipping about to face Theo. The woman gave her a bright smile. At least one of her friends remained happy.
Theo turned to face Tobias. “My, my, Ellingsworth, you didn’t perish after all.” Her normally sweet tone was a tad sardonic. With a challenging twinkle in her eye, she continued, “You survived a whole three minutes in the presence of the man who sired you. Well done.”
Tobias turned so only Theo had a clear view of his features. “Can I count on your support?”
Theo’s brow furrowed, but she gave Grace a reassuring smile. What was Tobias asking of her? Grace shifted to gain a better view of the pair, hoping their nonverbal cues would give her a clue as to what was being discussed.
Tobias sighed. “Lady Theo, you are the only one remaining. Do I have your promise?”
Eyes wide, Theo swiveled to face her husband, “You gave him your word?”
Archbroke nodded. “As has Hadfield with—”
“I’ll not give you my word.” Theo didn’t wait for her husband to finish his sentence. She spun around back to Tobias. “Not until I’ve had sufficient time to consider.”
Grace took a small step away from Tobias as she spied the invisible daggers Theo was throwing at him. The tension among the trio was palpable.
Tobias glared at Archbroke, “Your wife has until tomorrow.”
“I’m standing right under your nose. You can speak to me directly.” Theo puffed out her chest. “While I vowed to obey my husband, he would never order this of me.”
Grace glanced at Archbroke and Theo, who both immediately shuttered their expressions. A prickling sensation ran down Grace’s spine. What if Matthew’s theory was correct, and Tobias, Theo, and Archbroke were PORFs? Couldn’t be. PORFs were not real. Although the amount of evidence she and Matthew had accumulated was substantial, none of it was conclusive.
Nose raised in the air, Theo continued, “You’d be wise to heed my advice—do not act in haste. Love can blind one to the obvious.”
Grace’s mind scrambled to assemble all the pieces of the conversation together. Theo had mentioned love. Was Tobias in love with someone? He had made it clear earlier that their engagement was to be a sham—that he had no intention of marrying her and had even made mention that all would be as it should be, alluding to the possibility that she would gain what her heart most desired—Matthew. A spark of hope had Grace’s pulse racing. Buoyed by the possibilities, she returned her attention to her fiancé.
The corner of Tobias’s mouth turned up once again to form the idiotic smile that he had donned most of the night. “Lady Archbroke, haven’t you heard? I’m not known for being wise. I am, however, stubborn, and my plan will be carried out with or without your assistance.” He raised a single eyebrow. “I hope your cousin will talk some sense into you since it’s obvious your husband has failed.”
A man cleared his throat behind Grace, and she peered over her shoulder to see Theo’s cousin. Lord Hadfield was an enigma and hadn’t held the title for long. Grace would be eternally grateful for the man’s help in gaining Matthew’s release.
Hadfield had the audacity to wink at her before turning his attention to Tobias. “Ellingsworth. Were we not clear earlier? Both Archbroke’s and my own promise were conditioned upon Theo’s agreement.”
How intriguing that these lords would place such power in the hands of a woman. Especially Archbroke. Her counterpart at the Home Office had been extremely resistant to her acting and making decisions on her papa’s behalf. Matthew was the one who had eased the relations and acted as liaison. Grace internally sighed. That was the Lord Archbroke of old, the one before marriage. The couple reinforced her theory, born from her parents’ relationship, that behind every great man stood a woman of great strength.
Archbroke gave Theo a meek smile. “You didn’t give me a chance to finish my sentence, my love.” He wrapped an arm about his wife’s waist as he spoke to Ellingsworth. “If Theo doesn’t agree, it will be because she has sound reasoning. Both Hadfield and I defer to her judgment in this instance.”
From behind, Hadfield said, “I think it wise we discuss these matters at another time.”
Tobias glanced at Grace. “She is my betrothed and will be my wife if the three of you deny me.”
Wife! Grace nearly sputtered the word out loud but caught herself in time.
“Tobias.” Theo placed a hand on Ellingsworth’s arm briefly before returning it to the crook of her husband’s arm. “I understand your plight, but there are many individuals who your scheme impacts, and there is much to consider.”
There was a strong undercurrent of familiarity among the others that she had not detected before. Matthew’s voice whispered in her head—PORFs. She prayed Matthew would heed her earlier request to meet her at the gazebo. They had much to discuss.
Tobias’s stance relaxed, and a genuine smile appeared upon his face. Theo had once again managed to use her persuasive skills to dispel the issue at hand. During the past year, Grace had repea
tedly seen Theo win over two opposing parties and assist them in coming to an agreement, but tonight this discussion felt far weightier.
There was a swift shift of energy among the group as Lord Hadfield announced, “It’s time we all retire for the night.”
As if the king himself had made the declaration, Archbroke and Theo proceeded to say their farewells and Tobias led Grace about the room, ushering the other guests to the door.
Grace watched as Theo left her husband and cousin to whisper something into Lucy’s ear. Lucy and Theo had been close friends since childhood. They shared a bond that was extremely strong—a connection forged and strengthened by shared experiences over time. Grace hadn’t known Lucy as long as Theo, but she thought of Lucy as her best friend.
Lucy glanced at Grace and then turned back to Theo. Blast. Matthew had always been the one able to read lips from a distance. She could merely interpret facial expressions. Lucy hadn’t liked Theo’s request—not at all. Her lips were pursed, and her nose crinkled. Theo threw her arms around Lucy as she nodded with sad eyes. Archbroke and Theo promptly left, leaving Tobias and Grace alone with the group she most feared to face—Lucy, Blake, and Matthew.
Lucy grabbed Grace’s hands and squeezed. “We”—Lucy’s hand waved to include the gentleman—“wish you all the best, and I shall return for your wedding.”
“Where are you going?” Grace asked.
Blake answered, “It’s best if Lucy and the boys return to Shalford Castle for the next few weeks. I shall see to it that she returns after the banns have been read.”
Grace had hoped Lucy would remain in town for support. Without Matthew and her best friend, she wasn’t sure how she was going to survive the endless social route. Tobias placed a hand on the small of her back, a subtle reminder of her promise—to make everyone believe their faux engagement was real.
Confessions of Lady Grace Page 6