Inspired by Grace

by Jeanna Ellsworth

  Gavin turned around to look at Grace. How would she explain it? She glanced up at him, pleading for him to help her. He had promised to be the friend she needed, and she needed him now. “I am sorry, Mother. I thought I loved Grace back then. But I should have considered the potential ripple effect of my actions. I am to blame, not Grace. Would you mind letting me talk to Gigi alone?”

  “Certainly, but do not hold her too long, she needs to rest before the Comptons’ ball tonight. Everyone we know will be there. And I also need to discuss next week’s ball with her.”

  “Oh, I would never get in the way of the plans for her ball. And, Mother? Grace’s mother was not the only one who performed with grace in impossible situations. You did the best you could.”

  His words brought fresh tears to his mother’s face, and she stood and embraced him. He kissed her cheek, and his mother left.

  Grace walked over to him, put her hand on his arm, and said, “Thank you.”

  “For what part? For nearly ruining your family ten years ago?”

  She smiled at him. “You were young,” she said.

  He wasn’t done castigating himself. “But what excuse do I have for kissing you a few days ago?”

  She stepped closer and put her hand on his shoulder. It was the opposite of what he expected. He wanted her to be upset with him, to blame him like he blamed himself. But instead he looked down into her eyes and felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her again. “Grace, you must know by now what you do to me.”

  “I think I have a pretty good idea.” She stepped even closer and the hand on his shoulder slid down to his chest which made him nearly dizzy with confusion. Didn’t she just say this morning that said she wanted to be friends? Am I imagining things?

  Gavin’s voice broke. “I should warn you, if you do not step away, I cannot be accountable for my actions.”

  “Is that so?” She brought her other hand to the back of his neck where her fingers started twirling his hair. Every sense was piqued. Her cinnamon scent was engulfing him, and he could almost count her eyelashes they were so close. Her blue eyes were mesmerizing. It was too much to ask of any man. He reached his hand to the back of her head and gently guided it toward his.

  “All you have to do is say no,” he whispered, almost fearful of her response. He wished to kiss her with every fiber of his being. The last hour had been so trying. He needed her. He needed his best friend. Her eyes danced from his eyes to his lips and back up to his eyes.

  “Last chance, Grace. The time to fight me is now.” He studied her a moment longer. Their lips were an inch or two apart, and he could nearly taste her sweet breath, but she did not pull away. “If I did not know better, I would think you wanted me to kiss you.” He paused once more. “You pick now to show no resistance? Very well. You always have to win.” He leaned forward, kissed her, and felt her melt into his arms immediately.

  He enjoyed the moment for a minute. Then he pulled away and smiled at her glassy eyes. “Grace,” he whispered, “I do not want you to find me a wife.”

  Her eyes flashed a look of fear. “You really do not wish to marry?”

  He smiled at her and kissed her again but this time more passionately. When he pulled away he put his finger on her lips and said, “No, Gigi. You will not get the last word this time. When you were ripped from me, a part of me went dormant—the very best part of me. Perhaps that was why I felt so at home on the ship that thrashed one way and then another. It mirrored what I felt inside without you.”

  He continued, “I cannot be content to just be your friend. I wish to never say goodbye. Not then, not now, not ever. I love you, Grace Ingrid Genevieve Iverson, and I want to marry my best friend.”

  She smiled at him mischievously but said nothing.

  “Grace, I asked you to marry me. Are you not going to answer me?”

  “You said I could not have the last word this time.”

  He burst out laughing, which made her laugh too. He picked her up and twirled her around. He set her down and took both hands and brought her face to his again for another kiss. Between kisses he said, “Just. Say. Yes. Gigi. Or. I. Will. Keep. Kissing. You. Until. You. Do.”

  He felt her shoulders shake and knew she was giggling again, which made it very difficult to kiss her. He pulled away, and Grace said, “You never did know the right way to win an argument.”

  CHAPTER 13

  “I knew it!” The duchess’s voice startled them, and they jumped apart. Grace was mortified that she had been found kissing her son—again. She looked down at her fumbling hands as her face burned red hot. “Just as I suspected!” his mother cried. “I knew that if I gave you enough time, you would realize you love each other. All you needed was a little time together!” The duchess ran across the room and wrapped her arms around Grace. “I knew you could do it, my dear!”

  “Then, you approve?” Grace asked in awe.

  “Of course, I approve! All that nonsense about finding you a husband—it was all rubbish! And look! It only took a few days for you to work it out!”

  “Mother, were you listening at the door?”

  “Of course! How else was I to know what was happening? Now, let us settle this right away. Say ‘yes’, Grace.”

  Gavin chuckled and wrapped his arms around Grace again. “Yes, Grace, say ‘yes’!”

  Grace smiled broadly. Everything she had hoped for over the last ten years was all coming true! Her smile could not have been broader or more genuine. “Yes! Yes! A hundred times yes!”

  Gavin had never looked happier than at that moment. In his eyes, she saw the schoolboy charm and contentment that was in his very nature. He reached his hand up to her cheek and caressed her face. “You have made me the happiest man,” he whispered.

  Gavin went in for another kiss, but his mother quickly pushed her way between them. “Oh no, Gavin,” she said sternly, “this is no time to forget your manners. I allowed for the other kisses, but now there will be rules. Or Grace will have to return to her sister’s house immediately.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Grace said obediently.

  Gavin chuckled. “That is the quickest and shortest concession speech I have ever heard from you, Gigi,” he said over his mother’s shoulder. “You are supposed to argue with her! You always argue! Or do you not want to be kissed?” His eyes sparkled with a daring flirtation which made her giggle.

  She could not believe he was being so bold in front of his mother. Grace tried to hold in her laughter as she replied, “There is great wisdom to knowing which arguments can never be won. I think we would be wise to concede defeat to your mother on this point.”

  The duchess said, “I always knew I liked you, Grace. Gavin cannot be trusted, you know.”

  “Mother!”

  “But, it is true! Think of all those ladies––”

  Gavin cleared his throat loudly and interrupted her. “Mother, please!”

  Grace felt a twinge of sadness at the duchess’s warning. Gavin had always been a ladies’ man. She knew he had received his fair share of kisses. It wasn’t new knowledge, but it pained her all the same.

  “Do not listen to her, Gigi,” Gavin insisted. “None of those other ladies mattered. Besides, the rumors have been greatly exaggerated.” Then he gave the duchess a piercing glare. “Are you trying to sabotage my marriage before it even begins? Grace will think I am a rake!”

  “I do not think you are a rake,” Grace said hesitantly. “I think I know who you really are deep down.”

  Gavin stepped around his mother. He held Grace’s hands and looked deeply into her eyes. “Grace, listen to me. I may have a reputation, but only one woman has ever captured my heart. Several ladies tried their hardest, and a few were quite persistent, but I have done little I could not detail to you right here and now in front of my mother.”

  He kissed her hand and held it up against his face. “You can trust me,” he whispered.

  His words were so poignant. Grace knew he was telling the truth, and her
sadness turned to relief in a matter of seconds.

  So many people had let her down before. But if she trusted anyone, it was Gavin. She had prayed all those years to find him. Deep down, she had always known he had not abandoned her. Not Gavin, not her best friend.

  “Gavin, I do trust you,” she told him, and she knew it was true. “I know you would never hurt me. You need not disclose any of your private moments with any other lady. Now, if you ask me, this conversation took a wrong turn. Were we not trying to celebrate our upcoming marriage?”

  Gavin smiled at her and said, “Of course. I may be the Duke of Huntsman, but I know who makes those kinds of decisions. I will readily agree to whatever you and my mother decide.”

  His mother laughed lightly and said, “Such freedom! How shall we embarrass him? Shall we plan the grandest wedding in all of London?”

  But Grace was not one for the public limelight. “Oh no, please, no,” she begged the duchess. “I just want a small wedding. Perhaps it can happen sooner rather than later.”

  “Very well, Grace, but only because I like you so well. And I know you would fret about all the spectators eager to see the elusive Duke of Huntsman finally wedded. But I must insist on one detail. We must delay announcing your engagement for a few days.”

  Gavin and Grace simultaneously began to protest, but the duchess continued undeterred. “No, you must listen. We will all go to the Comptons’ ball tonight as if Grace were still unattached,” she said. “I will introduce her to everyone as a family friend. Grace will return to her sister’s house in a few days, and then we will announce the engagement at Grace’s ball next week. It will not do to have your betrothed living under the same roof.”

  Gavin frowned. He looked at Grace and then at the duchess. “Grace, I am sorry to admit it, but I have to agree with Mother. As much as I enjoy seeing you all day, I would hate to have you enter society under questionable pretenses.”

  Grace knew they were right, but it didn’t make the news any more desirable. “Will I still be able to dance with Gavin tonight?”

  Gavin’s mother was about to speak, and Gavin shushed her with finesse. “Mother, I shall not hear of any other reply but in the affirmative. I will dance with Grace, and I shall even claim two dances. After all, I am commanding of my person when I dance, right, Gigi?”

  “Yes, Your Grace, you are very graceful.” She saw him smile for the first time at being called by his title, and she grinned back at him.

  “That is enough for one day, I think,” the duchess announced. She started tugging on Grace’s elbow. “Come, Grace, we have much to prepare.”

  With one last wink from Gavin, Grace let the duchess guide her from the room. On their way out, Grace and the duchess happened upon Mr. Silence in the foyer.

  “Greetings, Silence!” Grace called out cheerfully.

  He bowed to her and replied, “Marvelous! When you address me, it sounds as if you are welcoming some peace and quiet!”

  “With you around, I highly suspect that will not be the case. It is good to see you.”

  “It is always a pleasure, Miss Iverson. I look forward to the ball tonight. I hope you will save a set for me.”

  “I would be honored. Are you here to see Gavin?”

  “I am. I have some news to share with him.”

  “Nothing too serious, I hope.”

  Mr. Silence looked briefly at the duchess and then back to Grace. He seemed a little hesitant to divulge anything further in front of Gavin’s mother. “It regards a matter that he asked me to look into a few months back. Nothing that will keep him from the ball tonight.”

  “I hope it is good news,” Grace speculated.

  “Yes. Potentially, it is very good news.”

  “Then I shall leave you to him.” Grace found Silence’s responses somewhat mysterious, but she was in too good of a mood to be concerned. She was going to marry her best friend! Nothing could dampen her spirits.

  *****

  Gavin was sitting in his chair behind his desk with his arms behind his head and his feet propped up on his desk when Silence came in. “Ah, Silence! Good to see you! It is a beautiful day!”

  “I can see the glint in your eye, Kingston. You know something I do not know.” Silence had a knack for reading subtle signs in others. People often revealed things to him that they hadn’t intended to share. He made quick judgments about people, and he was nearly always right.

  Gavin just smiled. He had to hold his news until the time was right, but he was already counting down the hours until he could hold Grace in his arms again. “Just in a good mood for once.”

  “Seems to be happening a lot this last week.”

  “Indeed.”

  Silence paused and stared at him curiously, but Gavin was determined to keep his secret. “Well,” Silence began, “I have news that might make your day even better.”

  Gavin wasn’t sure anything could make his day better. “Really?”

  “I shall get right to the point,” Silence began. “I have news about Whitmore.”

  Gavin ears perked up. He put his feet on the ground and leaned forward. “Have you found the Earl of Longmont?”

  “Not exactly. My man intercepted a letter from Whitmore to his nephew, the heir to his title.”

  “Who is the nephew?”

  “A Mr. Broadbent. He resides here in London.”

  “I do not think I know him. We should track him down and arrange a meeting.”

  “No need. He will be at the ball tonight. We can question him there.”

  “That is good news,” Gavin replied. “What did the letter say?”

  “Whitmore is very sick,” Silence explained. “He has apoplexy. He is hardly able to talk and cannot move his right arm at all. The letter was written by his solicitor. Apparently he is unable to eat without choking and is now having difficulty breathing. He can only last a few more days.”

  “Even better news. Did the letter say where to find the earl?”

  “Unfortunately not. But it directed Mr. Broadbent to come right away.”

  Gavin pursed his lips in concentration. “Where is the letter now?” he asked.

  “We put it in a new outer paper with a slightly inaccurate address, sealed it, then hand delivered it to his house yesterday under the guise that it was misdirected to his neighbor to the west, Heath Hansen, a good friend of mine.”

  Gavin stood and began to pace, carefully considering this new development. “How do you know he will be at the ball tonight?” he asked.

  “Mr. Compton himself told me that Mr. Broadbent and his wife confirmed the invitation. They are very eager to attend.”

  “What do we know about Mr. Broadbent?” Gavin asked. “You say he is married?”

  “Yes, but I do not know much more than that,” Silence replied. “He has one sister and has been married for just under three years. No children. Financially he appears to live frugally with only a handful of servants, none of whom have loose tongues. But we will keep trying.”

  Gavin walked around the desk and clapped him on the shoulder. “Silence, you really are something!” he exclaimed. “Any more news about the earl’s daughter?”

  “Just that she delivered a baby girl two months ago. The footman we planted at her country home, a man named Littleton, regularly checks the mail. He had not seen any correspondence from Whitmore or the child’s father. It seems they both have written her off.”

  Gavin digested the information. If the letter to Broadbent was a summons, Broadbent must know where The Earl of Longmont was hiding. “Very well. Tonight we shall seek an introduction with Mr. Broadbent. But we should be careful not to raise his suspicions. I do not want to scare him off. Besides, I intend to have a little fun at the ball tonight.”

  “Might a spitfire redhead have anything to do with those intentions?”

  Gavin smiled and relished the memory of her sweet kisses. He could still taste her lips on his. It seemed nothing could restrain him from his happiness. He looked at
Silence and said, “When she wants something, she knows how to get it.”

  Silence raised an eyebrow and said, “Is that so? And her getting what she wanted makes you this happy?”

  “Indeed it does.”

  “Really? Tell me, will it be orchids or lilies for the wedding?”

  “Blast it, Silence!” Gavin laughed. “How did you know?”

  “You are an easy read, Kinston,” Silence chuckled. “Why did you not tell me right away?”

  Gavin shrugged his shoulders. “My mother thinks it unwise to announce the engagement until Grace has left Willsing Manor.”

  “Your mother is right. It would not look good to have her under your roof. If you remember, I told you the same thing the first day I met her. She has already been here for . . . what, five days?”

  “Yes. And?”

  “And?” Silence prodded. “And a lot can happen in five days, Kingston.”

  “Silence, you cannot believe everything you read about me. I may have kissed her a time or two, but that is all. She is perfectly safe.”

  “Good. So, the Duke of Huntsman has found a wife! Congratulations! I suppose I will have to refrain from collecting my wagers at White’s until it is official.”

  Gavin was confused. “What wager?”

  “Well, as it turns out, your engagement date has become a very popular bet in the last six months. I stayed out of it until I met Miss Iverson. But when I saw the way you looked at her during our game of charades, I went straight to White’s and put in my wager that same day.”

  “Dare I ask what your wager was for?”

  “Three hundred pounds that you would be engaged in two weeks.”

  Gavin chuckled. “Two weeks? You knew how dead set against marrying I was, and yet after an hour with us, you inferred that my entire philosophy about tying the knot was going to change?”

  “Yes, and according to my calculations, you have ten days to announce your engagement or you owe me three hundred pounds. I will not lose a bet simply because you want a pretty little face to greet you at the breakfast table instead of a proper courtship of boring walks, chaperoned teas, and the occasional stolen moment at a ball. You should have limited access to the object of your desire, just like the rest of us.”