Hoskins opened the door before Grandpapa’s footman could open the carriage door for her. By the time her feet hit the ground Victoria was on the step to greet her. Tears pricked Grace’s eyes. It felt like coming home, especially when Victoria enveloped her in a warm welcoming hug, and her nerves melted away.
“I’m so glad you came back to us, Grace,” Victoria said as she released her.
“Thank you, it’s so good to be back.” Grace paused a moment. “Are you sure you should be hugging me on the front step where everyone can see?” She looked over her shoulder to see if anyone had noticed.
Victoria laughed. “Oh Grace, you are comical. Come, let us go inside where it’s warm.” She threaded Grace’s arm through her own and led the way to her drawing room. “You must be exhausted after your trip, did you travel the whole way today?”
“We left early this morning and made good time. It helped that the roads were clear. I just can’t believe it takes so long to get anywhere…if I had my car, it would only have taken a few hours, if that.”
“What is a car?” Victoria asked as she pulled the bell to ring for tea.
“It’s a kind of carriage I guess you could say; except it doesn’t have horses and it’s a lot faster and warmer.” Grace’s hands tingled as they began to thaw.
“No horses? What is it pulled by then?”
“It’s not pulled by anything. It has a motor which runs on fuel and although I’m not exactly sure how it works, I do know the fuel ignites and fires the pistons which make the engine turn the wheels.” Victoria was giving her a blank look. “Don’t worry about it, all you need to know is that it travels a lot faster than a carriage. I have pictures of my car on my phone, but it ran out of battery ages ago and I can’t turn it on to show you.” Grace thought about her racy red corvette and wished she could show it off.
Mrs Walters came in then with the tea tray. They waited until she had left and shut the door before saying anything else.
“It’s not so bad being here now, you know. I’m getting used to it and although I’m used to doing a lot more during the day, it’s really only the conveniences I miss.”
“Does that mean you’ll stop looking for a way back?” Victoria asked as she poured the tea.
Grace smiled. “No. I still want to go home, even though I don’t really have anything to go back to, it’s where I belong, you know? Plus there’s my work, which I really miss. Oh and my shower. I think I miss that even more.”
The next day Grace allowed herself the luxury of curling up next to the fire in the library with a book. She still couldn’t believe her luck there was a library in the house. Books were her guilty little pleasure, she loved them but she hadn’t had this luxury for years; she’d been too busy trying to forget her pain to get lost in the pages of someone else’s. But now having family again, a weight lifted from her shoulders and she felt almost complete again. The ache inside wasn’t gone, but there was a cushion around it; it wasn’t as sharp. She was so happy she had turned their carriage around and followed her heart.
The warmth of the flames slowly melted the ice running through her veins. The drive back to London from the Lancaster Estate was just as cold as the drive there had been and, even though she had arrived back last night, she still hadn’t managed to warm up yet. And that wasn’t the only thing that chilled her through.
Jasper had yet to make an appearance. He must know by now she was back; she’d seen Victoria send him a note upon her arrival last night. The longer he took to come and see her, the more nervous she became. Had she really done the wrong thing by staying with her grandfather, instead of coming back with Victoria and Jasper? Could she really go through with marriage to someone who was so put out and hurt when she did her own thing? Surely he must realise getting to know her grandfather was important to her? He was the one who took her there to meet him in the first place, for heaven’s sake.
Grace stretched out on the sofa and laid her head on the arm rest. The warmth of the fire and the stress of trying to decipher the mind of her betrothed made her sleepy. She was just drifting off to sleep with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice on her chest when there was a knock on the door.
She cracked open her eye to see Hoskins standing in the doorway. “You have a visitor, Miss Lancaster, should I let her know you are in?”
Grace stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. “Who is it, Hoskins?”
“Here is her card, miss.” He entered the room and held a silver tray towards her. On it lay a silver card with delicate blue writing: Lady Anne Higgins. The lady who should belong to Jasper.
Her heart jumped and she sat bolt upright. “Show her in please, Hoskins.”
Butterflies invaded her stomach, but there was no point of putting this off, they would have to meet one day. It might as well be now.
Her heart thumped in her chest when Lady Anne entered the room. Acting on impulse, Grace gave her a very awkward hug which she regretted as soon as her arms wrapped around the woman. “I’m so glad you came.” They stood looking at each other in silence until Grace remembered her manners. “Oh, please be seated.”
“Thank you, Miss Lancaster. I was unsure whether you would receive me or not.” The blush that coloured Lady Anne’s face only made her more beautiful.
Grace inwardly groaned. How on earth could she ever compete with someone who looked like Lady Anne? She looked as though she’d just walked off a fashion shoot, albeit one that was set in the 1800s, but still. “Would you like some tea?” Grace pulled the cord, something she had secretly wanted to do since reading about bell pulls in historical romances back home. How ironic she was now living a historical romance novel. She stifled a giggle with her hand and tried to cough to cover her laughter. Lady Anne looked at her wearily and Grace was happy when Hoskins entered the room. She quickly ordered tea and biscuits for them both.
After several minutes of small talk, Grace finally blurted in frustration, “I’m so sorry for what’s happened. If I could take that kiss back I would.” Well, not really, as it was the best kiss that she’d ever experienced in her life, but she would take back that she received it from this woman’s intended. “I’m not a man-stealer. I really didn’t know who he was and that he was promised to someone else. I am so very sorry.” She dropped her head in mortification. How on earth could this woman ever forgive her?
“Oh don’t be. I’m so happy to finally have the opportunity to find a husband that I want, not one that my father has picked out for me.” Lady Anne paused to stir sugar into her tea. “You know, I truly believe Lord Bingham is lucky to have you. A lot of other women have tried to force him into situations that would demand marriage, and yes, that is exactly what has happened to you, but I don’t for one minute think you did it for money or for the title. By all accounts neither of you were aware of anything else, besides each other. That is how marriage should be. Not some stuffy relationship where you tiptoe around each other and try to co-exist without really acknowledging the other half. And let’s not deceive ourselves: that is exactly the kind of marriage Jasper and I would have had. So, please don’t feel sorry for anything. I only hope to find one day what you already have.” She raised her cup to her lips and with one cocked eyebrow took a dainty sip.
“Ah, umm, thank you, Lady Anne.” Grace was stunned Lady Anne took it so well, although slightly miffed she thought Jasper and her were in love with each other.
“Won’t you call me Anne? I hope we can be friends.” The lady before her smiled, adding with a twinkle in her eye, “Won’t that give the gossips something to talk about?”
***
Jasper made it to the door, but Hoskins opened it before he could reach the knocker. “One day I will beat you, Hoskins,” Jasper smiled.
“Indeed, sir?” Hoskins arched a brow at his employer’s brother-in-law; there was no way he was going to let Lord Bingham win a game they had been playing since Lady Harrison moved in. He had footmen keep watch so Lord Bingham was not able to reach the do
or before he could open it. It was a matter of honour, not to mention pride.
“I heard Miss Lancaster has returned from the country, is she receiving? I would like a word in private with her if it is convenient.”
“I’m afraid she is already entertaining a visitor in the library, my lord. But I will inform her you’ve arrived.”
“I’ll join them. May I ask whom she is entertaining?”
“Lady Anne, my lord.”
He was halfway down the hallway when the butler’s words reached his ears. “Lady Anne? Oh dear God.” He ran the rest of the way to the library and flung open the door.
Laughter died on their lips and both sets of eyes widened at his sudden appearance. The two ladies were sitting together on the sofa with their heads practically touching. They looked like childhood friends catching up after years apart.
Grace was the first to recover. “Lord Bingham, what a surprise, won’t you please join us for some tea?” She reached for a spare cup on the tea tray. “Black, isn’t it?”
He noted her speech; obviously her grandfather had had some influence during her stay. He performed a customary deep bow and told them he would be delighted. Sitting in the chair closest to Grace he was left looking across at Lady Anne and immediately regretted his choice of seating position. He would rather not look at the woman he as good as jilted. She smiled at him and asked after his health. He realised marriage to Lady Anne would have been like this every day, with her asking after his health or some such other safe topic, neither of them willing to have a real conversation in case they found that they couldn’t stand each other and had absolutely nothing in common. For the first time he actually felt grateful for that wild, out of control, hot wet kiss. He shifted in his seat as the image flashed in his mind. He tried to adjust his trousers without Lady Anne noticing.
He turned to Grace and grasped her fingers. She looked at him in surprise. A jolt of awareness sparked in her eyes and he was glad he wasn’t the only one who felt it. “Grace, my darling,” he began, laying it on thick, “I have come to see if you would like to take a turn with me around the garden. After Lady Anne has gone, of course.” He smiled at Lady Anne, hoping she would get the hint.
“Lord Bingham!”
“It is quite all right, Grace, I must be going anyway. It was so nice to meet you, I do hope you will call upon me soon. It was nice to see you again too, Lord Bingham.” Lady Anne gathered her gloves from the table and let herself out the door.
“That was rude, Jasper. You made her leave.”
“I know. That was the whole point. I need to talk to you and I really didn’t want her here while I did it and I need to go and see about some business this afternoon, so I couldn’t wait until she left of her own accord. Besides, judging by how the two of you were getting along when I walked in, she would have been here for days and I would never get to tell you what I have to say,” he finished with a smile.
“Well, what is it you want to say that’s go important, then?”
He took Lady Anne’s place on the sofa and cupped her face with his hand. “This.” He leaned in and drew her bottom lip into his mouth and gently sucked until she moaned low in her throat, her hands gripping his arms. “And this,” he murmured. He slid his tongue into her mouth and stroked hers back and forth until they were both panting.
Grace was consumed by need. Liquid heat had pooled in between her thighs. She was aware of someone moaning and was afraid it might just be her. She didn’t care. All she cared about was having Jasper’s lips back on hers. She grabbed his head and pulled it back down to where it belonged, and a sigh of satisfaction escaped as his lips touched hers again.
She felt the heat of his hands on her skin and vaguely wondered how he had got them inside her dress. His fingers brushed her nipples until she no longer cared, her body responding intuitively; arching and straining towards him.
His mouth escaped hers to trail wet kisses along her jawline. The heat of her skin burned his mouth. He sucked on her earlobe and smiled at the sound that came from her. He knew what she wanted. His fingers plucked at her nipple, sending her into convulsions. His mouth found its way down her throat, closer to his goal.
Grace gasped as his hot mouth latched onto her breast. Her nipple hardened even further, becoming like a pebble in his mouth.
Sweet shocks coursed through her body, all accumulating at the apex of her thighs. Jasper leaned her back so she was lying on the sofa and he was positioned above her. Ripples of pleasure ran up her leg as he slowly raised her dress. His fingers caressed her leg as he brought the dress all the way up until she was fully exposed to him. The cool air, coupled with the heat from his hand and the wetness of his mouth on her bare breast, pushed her over the edge. She couldn’t control her hips any longer and bucked against him when his hand touched her centre, starbursts exploded in front of her eyes as a scream was ripped from her lips.
Jasper was at the very limit of his self-control when Grace shattered below him. He captured her mouth with his, to catch her scream.
He fumbled with the laces on his trousers, desperate to be welcomed into her warmth.
Down the corridor a door slammed shut and Neal’s voice rang out, berating the careless servant.
Jasper was suddenly very aware of where he was. A servant could walk in on them at any moment!
He dragged a shuddering breath into his heaving lungs and helped Grace sit up. He drew her dress back down to cover her legs and put her bodice to rights. Her eyes were still out of focus, her lips swollen and her checks flushed. She was a delicious vision before him and every fibre of his being begged him to lay her back down. But he could see a friction burn on the top of her breast from his rough check. And disgust at himself at what he had almost done, rushed through him. He stood to distance himself from her. He still didn’t trust his hands.
“What am I thinking? Taking you here? The door is still open for God’s sake, we could have been seen. This was a mistake, I’m terribly sorry, you can be sure it won’t happen again.” He kept walking towards the door. He had to keep going or he’d come back and finish what he’d started.
***
Grace watched in confusion as Jasper left the room. He was practically running; he couldn’t seem to get away from her fast enough. His words echoed in her ears: this was a mistake, it won’t happen again.
Shame coursed through her body and it felt so much different to the pleasure that had been in its place only moments before. She’d just had the most pleasurable experience of her entire life and the man who was responsible for it said it was a mistake. How could something that felt that good be a mistake?
***
Jasper was hard hours later in his club as he remembered Grace’s response to his touch. He found himself remembering it all afternoon, in places he really shouldn’t be seen with his penis straining in his pants. Thankfully he’d been sitting down in most situations and managed to find something to cover his lap with until he could bring himself under control. He discovered counting backwards from one hundred very effective. He had, however, had to resort to taking his hat from his head several times while standing and holding it in front of himself. He did get his fair share of odd looks this afternoon.
“I still don’t think it was a very good idea,” Philip said, “you really should’ve asked me before you did anything for that woman.”
Jasper rose partially from his seat, ready to call Philip out when he recalled he hadn’t told Philip what he had been up to this morning with Grace. He forced his mind back to the conversation they were having and sat back down.
“I don’t see how your opinion matters; besides, the papers have been signed. It’s not up for discussion anyway.”
“I understand why you feel responsible towards her, but don’t you suppose you’re carrying it a little too far? Ten thousand pounds is a bit much. I don’t even expend that much on my mistress.”
“Your mistress isn’t worth that much. Lady Anne is. Besides, with me jilt
ing her, she may not receive a better offer. I don’t see the harm and I’m sure she can find use for the money.”
“Your fiancée may not appreciate your generosity,” Philip pointed out.
“She’s not going to know about it, is she?” Jasper tossed the rest of his whiskey down his throat and rose from his chair. “I’ll see you later.” He was tired of this conversation but Philip was right, Grace wouldn’t like it if she found out. He’d just have to make sure she didn’t.
Chapter Fourteen
The next morning Grace was lost in her thoughts of Jasper while Victoria chattered on at the breakfast table. She discovered all she needed to do was nod or make a small noise to encourage Victoria to keep talking. This suited Grace just fine. She couldn’t concentrate on anything other than the ‘mistake’ anyway.
“I want to hold a party in your honour, but since it’s winter, too many of my friends are in the country, so I believe a music recital would be just the thing. What do you think?” Victoria’s voice continued.
“That sounds nice.”
“Oh good, I was hoping you could sing for us. Do you know any songs?”
“Hmm?” Grace lifted her eyes from her breakfast she was pushing around her plate and looked at Victoria.
“Do you know any songs, Grace?” Victoria spoke slowly, making Grace wonder how many times she had asked the same question.
“Of course I know songs.”
“Good. It’s settled then. We’ll have it on Tuesday. Don’t forget to practise.”
Hoskins brought in the morning mail just then and Grace forced herself to listen as Victoria read all the invitations for the coming days.
“We of course can’t attend everything. For one thing, you don’t have enough gowns.” Victoria tapped her chin thoughtfully. “We’ll have to do something about that. Hmm. How about I get Mme Beauparlant to come after the recital so we can top up your wardrobe? The items I purchased before were meant to be a temporary fix but since it appears you’re staying…well, we might as well introduce you to society properly.”
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