“No, I only came to give my sup—er, assist my cousin with the wedding. She does not have any sisters, as you know”—the women moved around the men and came back to their partners—“and she wanted someone closer to her own age during the preparations.” The couples came together and back out. “My mother died several years ago, and I am needed on my father’s estate. My brother is only four and…”
They split and each moved around the opposite couple. When they were side by side, he picked up where they had left off. “You miss him.”
Grace nodded as he twirled her again, surprised at his understanding. “We have never left him before. I have never spent a night away from him. I suppose it is how a mother feels the first time she leaves her children.”
He twirled her and bent close. “Do you enjoy your role as Lady Boldon?”
His curiosity made her smile and put her at ease. “Yes, I prefer to stay busy and productive. There is plenty to do on my father estates.” She circled around him. “Mama instructed me in the running of a household, but Papa taught me so much more in the past few years about overseeing properties.”
“A woman stimulated by knowledge. Lovely and clever, a rare combination.” He stepped gracefully around her and the other woman of the square.
“And are you enjoying your reprieve from the war, now that Bonaparte is exiled in Elba?” Grace had heard of his fearless reputation on the battlefield. “Do you miss the excitement?”
“No, combat is not a pleasant pastime for me. I miss the regiment and my men, though.” He turned her around and they progressed again to the next group.
“So you will return to your duties?”
“As soon as possible. It is my preferred career choice. I appreciate the organization and logic of the military. We are of a like mind.” He chuckled as the couples came together. “London and its society bore me. I also like to be productive.”
“We have something in common.”
“I prefer a world with order, a protocol to follow. Perhaps I’m a skeptic who has seen too much of the world.” He stared at her with eyes the color of the chocolate her mother used to drink. They met and parted again. A slight smile still turned up his lips, and she felt bared, as if he looked into her soul and liked what he saw.
“Perhaps you are also a rare combination, handsome and honest.” Her natural wit had returned, and she found herself enjoying his company. The song came to an end, and he bowed.
“Lady Grace, may I be blunt?”
“Since we’ve come to know each other so well,” she answered, studying him from beneath her lashes. He had piqued her interest. “Please, speak your mind.”
“My brother has his faults. He drinks too much, gambles but not too heavily, and never takes the blame for a catastrophe, large or small, regardless of his part in it. However, he does not have a spiteful bone in his body and will never, never, cause injury to a lady.” He paused then continued with a slight nod of his head, “I thought you might like to know.”
The sun slanted through a window, the bright rays setting fire to his red uniform and making the gold buttons glitter. Her heart swelled as she took in his meaning. He knew. He knew about her uncle and wanted to offer some reassurance, some mode of comfort to Eliza on her wedding day. Tears pricked the back of her eyes, and she blinked quickly before meeting his gaze again.
“Thank you,” she whispered with a sad smile. “I am very glad to hear it.”
“May you have a safe and swift journey home. It’s been a pleasure, Lady Grace.”
“Yes, indeed it has. May we meet again, someday.” And as Lieutenant Colonel Roker walked away, his powerful stride demanding notice, she hoped they would.
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Earl of Wainthorpe Page 17