“Thank you.”
She gave him a bright smile before he took off in the direction of the card room. What was wrong with Braiden? After their kiss, she had expected him to want to see her. How could he expect to win her hand if he didn’t spend time in her company?
Keeping one eye on the door Mr. Everett had exited, Grace made her way around the outskirts of the room. It took two full sets before Braiden emerged into the ballroom. He didn’t look happy, nor did he look well.
Instead of rushing to his side like she wanted to, she waited and watched him. His narrowed eyes took in the crowd slowly. When they finally fell upon her, his body relaxed, and he smiled briefly.
As he made his way over, she bit her lip and wondered why he would show pleasure at seeing her, then let it melt away so drastically.
“Lady Grace.” He inclined his head. “You wished to see me?”
This wasn’t exactly the greeting she’d hoped to receive from him. As far as she could tell, he never even noticed her gown.
“I’d like to speak with you. Alone.”
His jaw tightened. What had she said? They had been alone together numerous times. Perhaps she’d been right, he was avoiding her. What did Mr. Everett say to make him leave the card room?
“We can talk perfectly well right here,” he ground out through clenched teeth.
She reared her head back. She’d done nothing wrong. Nothing to deserve his terse tone and disinterested posture.
“Never mind. I no longer have anything to say to you.”
Spinning around, she stalked away as fast as she could without gaining attention. Tears stung the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. How could he do this to her? Reality hit her in the middle of her chest and took her breath away. He’d lost interest in her.
Needing to be alone, she exited the ballroom and made her way to the library. Once inside, she allowed the soft candlelight, the smell of the leather-bound books, and the crackling of the fire to seep into her bones. Dropping onto the sofa, she closed her eyes as hot tears cascaded down her cheeks.
Yesterday she’d been so pleased at having enjoyed her first kiss. Braiden taught her many things, and the sensation of his hard body pressing against her would be something she cherished forever. His experience on the other hand, must have been the complete opposite. Clearly, she had done it wrong, and he had received no pleasure, forcing him to change his mind about marrying her.
The click of the door shutting had her jumping to her feet. Braiden stood gazing at her.
“Grace, it isn’t that I don’t want to talk to you. Wait, are you crying?” He closed his eyes for a few seconds, then crossed the room and pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
“Then why did you?” She pulled back from him. “Have I done something wrong? You can tell me. We’ve been friends for a long time.”
“It is nothing you have done. It’s me. A failing within myself, really.”
She ignored his assurance. “Did I not kiss correctly? That was my first time. Give me another chance. I’m sure I can get it right.”
He slowly shook his head, dismissing her words.
“Please. I can—”
“Stop.” He held his hand up. “This has nothing to do with your skill.”
Crossing her arms, she stared down her nose at him. “Lying to me will not help me get any better.”
He thrust a hand through his hair. “Enough. I’ve never in my life kissed someone who could compare to what came so naturally and easily to you.”
She rolled her eyes, but stopped when he placed his hands on her shoulders. Her breathing came out in gasps as she parted her lips. He stood so close. She wanted him to kiss her again.
“Grace, don’t you dare doubt my word.”
His breath washed over her face as his low voice worked its way under her skin. Desperate to be closer to him, she laid her hands on his chest. He didn’t move. Clearly he wanted her here as much as she wanted to be.
“Kiss me,” she demanded.
As his gaze dropped to her mouth, his eyes darkened. “I can’t.”
“Of course you can. It’s simple really.” She slid her hands up to his shoulders, bringing him closer to her. “You only need to move a few inches.”
His fingers clenched and unclenched on her shoulders as his face moved toward her, then retreated. What held him back? She wouldn’t stand for it. Keeping her gaze trained on his indecisive eyes, she leaned forward. Her lips barely brushed against his when he pulled back.
With a sigh, he crossed the room to stand before the fire. “This is why I didn’t want to talk to you alone. I didn’t want this to happen.”
“What exactly are you trying to avoid?”
“We can’t meet like this, nor can we kiss again.”
“Why not?” She put her hands on her hips, although she knew he couldn’t see her. “You said you enjoyed kissing me. Then why not do so again?”
“It isn’t fair. Not to you. Not to me. And not to your future husband.”
“What if—”
He spun around and faced her with pain-filled eyes. “No. Let’s not discuss this right now. Go back out there. Enjoy the ball. Forget about me.”
Grace bit her lip so hard she tasted the metallic flavor of blood. The thought he no longer wanted her, maybe never had, made her ill. Despite his assurances to the contrary, she’d done something wrong. She just knew it.
“What makes you think I’m capable of forgetting you?”
“Because nothing good would come from it.”
When he turned back to the fire, she dropped her shoulders. What could she say to change his mind? Left with no solution, she quietly left the library. He shouldn’t have to be alone, but she sensed he preferred it that way.
Greeted by the warmth in the ballroom, she tried to shake off the misery creeping over her. She may not have done anything to lose his favor, but she certainly didn’t do anything to deserve it either.
He needed her to help him out of his pain, and she had failed so far. Stiffening her resolve, she thought of his tortured face. What put the sadness there? Memories of his wife? Worries over the future? Regardless, she intended to somehow bring joy back to his life.
She would begin tonight when everyone else retired for the evening. Now was the time to resurrect one of her childhood ploys. Braiden wouldn’t even see it coming.
Chapter 4
Quietly slipping into his assigned bedchamber, Braiden hoped he hadn’t woken anyone with his ascension upstairs. Making his way across the soft carpet, he finished the contents of his glass as he yanked off his cravat. After he set the glass down, he tossed the necktie and his coat into a nearby chair. They were quickly followed by his waistcoat and shirt.
Nearing the bed, he froze. Someone was lying on his bed. He had imbibed too many spirits tonight, but a quick glance around the room proved he hadn’t entered the wrong chamber.
Taking a step forward, he realized the form was a woman. His breath caught. What purpose could she have for being here? Drawing closer, he groaned. Grace. This was unthinkable.
He knew he should wake her up and demand she return to her quarters, but he couldn’t bear the thought of disrupting her peace. Captivated by her, he stood and watched as she slept.
Her pale skin shone brightly in the candlelight; her black hair the perfect contrast. In sleep she appeared much older. Gone was the curiosity and naivety he’d seen in her eyes. Right now he couldn’t question she was all woman.
Unable to help himself, he perched on the edge of the bed and gently ran his fingers along her soft cheek. It felt so good to have her here. The urge to fall asleep beside her beckoned. How would it feel to wake up to her in the morning? His chest ached simply gazing u
pon her loveliness.
Her eyes slowly opened. Confusion marred her brow before her gaze focused on him. “Braiden?”
“Who else did you expect? You’re in my bedchamber.”
“Oh.” She sat up so fast she nearly knocked him over. Her eyes bulged as they dropped down to his chest. “You are unclothed.”
The breathlessness in her voice combined with the fact she didn’t turn her head made his pride swell. For some reason, he wanted her to desire him. Remaining still for a few moments, he watched her reaction and enjoyed the pleasure in her eyes.
Reluctantly, he stood up, collected his shirt, and tugged it over his head. “Sorry, but I didn’t expect visitors. You are lucky I hadn’t finished undressing.”
A deep blush crawled up her cheeks. He wanted to laugh. After the evening he’d spent drinking and berating himself, her presence was a balm to his weary soul. The only trouble was she had also been the reason for the torture that followed him around.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” She scooted until she sat on the edge of the bed with her bare feet hanging down.
His mouth dried. She sat on his bed clothed in only a dressing gown. Who knew what else she wore beneath it, if anything. Heart racing, he took deep breaths to calm his now-raging body. The brandy offered no help in controlling himself.
“What are you doing here? I doubt you came so I will take you out in the garden to hunt for ghosts.”
She grinned. “The thought had crossed my mind, but unlike those past holidays, we have a full house. Someone is bound to notice us escaping.”
“Yes. And the punishment would be more severe considering your age.”
“True. Well, in the library you didn’t want to talk, so I decided now would be a better time.”
“Half dressed? In my bedchamber? In the middle of the night? Your timing couldn’t possibly be worse.” He dropped into a chair, not caring about the wrinkles his weight would put on his discarded clothing.
She sighed. “No. This is perfect. We have absolute privacy and no worry about interruptions.”
“Regardless of what I think, you are going to end up getting your way, so by all means.” He spread his arms out, indicating she had her opportunity. “Talk.”
Instead of jumping at the chance, she moved a stray hair behind her ear, then fiddled with the tie of her dressing gown lying in her lap. Alarm pierced him.
“Grace, is something wrong? You know you can trust me with anything.”
“I know.” Her warm smile relaxed his entire body. “I’ve just never done this before, and I daresay it isn’t easy.”
His shoulders stiffened, and his guard went up. He suspected he wasn’t going to like what she had to say. “Done want?”
She took a deep breath. “This visit to Stonemede has awarded me with a great deal of time to think. I know what direction I’d like to take my life, and I’ve been weighing my choices.”
“That’s wonderful,” he stated, even more confused. Either he hadn’t drunk enough to understand this conversation, or he’d imbibed too much. “I would have been quite pleased to hear all this over breakfast tomorrow.”
“I don’t think the conversation would go over as well as you think. After all, I’ve made a huge decision. I know whom I shall marry.”
Braiden’s heart sank. She’d come to tell him she wanted to marry his cousin. Swallowing down the lump in his throat, he tried to conjure up feelings of relief or happiness, but he couldn’t. Why did the idea of her with Thomas bother him so much? This had all come about by his own design.
“I’m happy for you. Your decision will no doubt leave many men with broken hearts. Now, can you leave so I can get some sleep?”
“Don’t you want to know who he is?”
“And lose my honest surprise when I hear it secondhand? I don’t think that would be wise.”
“I will give you a hint. He is strong, smart, caring, and handsome.”
He gave a mirthless laugh upon hearing his words thrown back at him. “Then I have done my duty by you. I’m glad to hear you’ve heeded my words.”
She slid down the bed until her feet touched the ground, then she stomped over to him and put her hands on her hips. If she meant to intimidate him with her movements, it didn’t work. The stretching of the dressing gown revealed her white night clothes beneath. His longtime unused body responded to it.
“Do you honestly not care about this? About me? Would it suit you if I married the milliner’s son or tracked down Lord Meadows?”
Her accusations made him spring to his feet. “You’ll do neither while I remain breathing. Have you lost all respect for yourself?”
“Good. That seals it. You know, I really think we will deal well together.”
“We?” His fuzzy brain felt left behind.
“Yes. I think the two of us should get married.”
Panic snaked up his body and squeezed him around the neck. Him? Marry Grace? He couldn’t. Aligning herself to him would only bring them both pain. Besides, he didn’t need to marry. Thomas would do it for him in order to carry on the line.
“You don’t want to wed me.” He could barely hear his own voice over the blood rushing in his ears. “I don’t make a good husband.”
“I’m not asking for much. If it’s easier for you, simply look upon this as you would an investment. A marriage of convenience, in a way. Our common interests would ensure we have good conversations. You need an heir. I want a child. I see nothing but benefits.”
“This isn’t happening.” He ran a shaky hand through his hair. How could matters between them have gotten this far?
He paced the room. She had to leave. How could she believe he would ever marry again? The room grew stuffy as he pictured Tabitha smirking while she told him how worthless he was as a husband.
Grace grabbed his arm, and he whipped around to face her. Compassion lit her eyes. “I know you loved your wife. I’m not asking to replace her, nor am I asking that you love me.”
“Love doesn’t exist,” he replied coldly.
She swallowed as her brow wrinkled with confusion. “Not for us, I know. But please just think about it. I don’t need an answer right now, but I do need one.”
He nodded, but he couldn’t trust himself to speak.
Before he could stop her, she pressed her lips against his. She only remained for a brief second, then she exited the room, leaving him too alert to fall asleep. He began pacing again. What was he supposed to do?
Now wasn’t the time for thinking. At the moment all he could come up with was how soft and sweet her lips were. The idea of her mouth belonging to him took his breath away. They had always dealt well together, and he couldn’t imagine life being dull with her by his side.
Richard would kill him. She was a child after all. Or was she? Recalling her curves came easily. Her breasts peeking over the top of her ball gown nearly undid him earlier. No child looked like that. Would a match with him be acceptable to her family?
Stopping at the window, he grasped the curtains and yanked them back. What was he thinking? He’d proven to be an undesirable husband, and he wasn’t a good lover either. Otherwise Tabitha wouldn’t have sought the arms of every man she’d met. Then to add to the insult, she’d died in the arms of one of her lovers.
Closing his eyes, he pressed his face against the cool glass. He was a fool. Happiness didn’t wait out there for him. He needed to redirect his attention to ensuring Thomas married to produce an heir to the dukedom. Just not to Grace. His cousin would have to find someone else.
As he lay down and drifted off to sleep, the only thought running through his mind was how the remainder of his life would be spent in and out of clubs. The only thing lying ahead in his future was a bottle of brandy.
Sitting in the back of
the room, Grace hoped to remain unnoticed. The music room had been set up for the women to show off their various talents, but she had no desire to participate. Typically her father offered her to open up the entertainment on the pianoforte, but she couldn’t tonight.
The entire day had passed without a sign of Braiden. Had Mr. Everett not been present, she would have believed they had returned to London. What did Braiden think she would do to him? Attack him in public? Demand he marry her while everyone else listened in?
Grace tried to sink lower in her chair when she saw Brianna stand up. She relaxed when her sister chose another girl to perform next. However, judging by the direction Brianna took, she had spotted Grace.
“What are you doing back here?” Brianna asked as she slid into the empty chair beside her.
“Enjoying the performance.” Grace waved a hand at the pianoforte.
“I’d like you to play next. You would be up there now, but from your posture, I imagine you would appreciate it more if I asked first.”
With a sigh, Grace smiled. “Thank you. I don’t believe I’m up to performing tonight.”
“Why not? Is everything all right?”
“Yes. It’s just . . . What did you do to make Richard want to marry you?”
Brianna tilted her head to one side and leaned back as if to survey Grace better. “Why would you ask such a thing? Does the man you love not reciprocate your feelings?”
She shook her head, unwilling to confide her struggle with Braiden. “You just never told me the story, and I wondered.”
Winning the Duke Page 5