by Kya Lind
“If Lord Byron declares his intentions here publically, then he could not be stopped from speaking directly to father about the matter at home.”
“And you could tell your father to agree and then Pretty goes off to her new life and leaves you home with an angry mother.”
Honesty shrugged in acceptance; as though this was nothing new.
Greyson couldn’t resist, “Darling, what cut your season short five years ago?”
Honesty jerked out of his arms and moved quickly behind the leather chair placing her hands on the high back, “I don’t want to talk about that,” she hissed; her eyes were filled with shame and anger.
He held his empty hands out in front of him in a defensive gesture. “Alright, I am sorry I asked.” He straightened and moved around behind his desk and sat down. “Sit down, please.”
Honesty didn’t move to sit, but she didn’t move to leave either.
“I agree to not call you Darling when we are in the presence of others.”
“And what do you want in return?” she looked at him with suspicion again.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Nothing. I would be happy to help you assist your sister in marrying the man of her dreams.”
Honesty shifted on her feet undecidedly. “Well, thank you,” she said as she moved toward the door.
“You are welcome, Darling,” came his soft reply.
♣♣♣
At dinner that night the gentlemen were declared the winners, and Honesty had had enough of watching the girls harassing the boys with no intention of doing anything, but getting the necklace – her necklace.
“If I may suggest,” started Honesty when the clapping subsided. Greyson nodded at her to continue. “That we make the rule that one cannot ask the same question to the same person more than once.” All the guys nodded and cheered. “And that the person with the token does not have to stay in the room.”
“That was not a rule,” declared a young man.
“Yes it is,” interjected another.
“And,” added Teresa, “that anyone can play, even us old married folk.”
“Everyone agreed?”
Everyone nodded, and the guests moved from the table.
When they reached the duchess’s rooms, SarahBeth patted the duke on the arm in good-night. “I heard about your wager with the young Miss Honesty – what favor did you ask?”
“Nosy in your old age aren’t you. You will be happy to know I only requested the answer to a question.”
Her eyebrow shot up hopefully.
“Not that question.”
“Oh . . .” she pursed her lips in thought. “Well, good night.
“Grandmother, I do need your help. I need for Mrs. Williams to be separated from Miss Prudence for a time.”
Sarah Buckingham didn’t know what he was up to, but she loved the intrigue, “Done.”
♣♣♣
Greyson watched as the girls tried out their new conversational skills on the boys. It was interesting to watch. Honesty and Prudence sat next to their mother and just observed the activities in silence. The girls finally after several hours were given the token and rushed to the hallway. Honesty chose that time to excuse herself for the night. The girls came back in with smug expression on their faces and proceeded to stump the boys’ efforts to reclaim the bangle. The girls acted like they were passing something back and forth, and kept the boys guessing and talking.
Greyson excused himself and retired for the night.
♣♣♣
Softly closing the nursery door, Honesty peered down the long, empty hallway, then sprinted down its length in her long white cotton nightgown. She knew she shouldn’t be out in the halls in her sleep clothes, but no one was ever in these halls at night, and Nanny Sinclair had come for her just as she had requested. Maggie was having a hard time adjusting to sleeping so far away from her. Just as she reached her room, a shadow separated from the wall. Honesty’s heart dropped to her bare feet. She swallowed a scream as she slammed against a rock hard body. Greyson’s arms pulled her into his embrace.
“Well, hello, Darling.” He chuckled into her ear. “Sorry didn’t mean to scare you so badly.”
“Grey, what are you doing here?”
“I had just come to say goodnight when the nanny arrived. I was waiting for you to come back.”
“But I have been gone for over two hours. You can’t come to my room. You can’t hang around in the hall by my rooms all night. What if mama finds out?”
“This is also Pretty’s room.”
“Agghh, you are so frustrating. . . You are going to mess everything up.”
“So wish me a good night and I will go.” He looked down at her in the bright moonlight that poured through the high set windows across the hall from her door. He smiled as the light illuminated the emerald necklace that lay nestled against her throat. No wonder the boys couldn’t find it, Honesty had taken it from the girls on her way to bed. Very clever.
“Did you enjoy dinner?”
“Yes.”
“Did you like cake or custard better?”
Honesty frowned at his strange questions, “Chocolate custard.”
“What is your favorite color?” He watched as the light dawned.
She reached up to unfasten the clasp. “Yellow.”
He pulled her hands back down. “No, leave it where it is. That is where it belongs..” He said leaning down he placed a kiss on the emerald; his breath hot against the vee of her breast. “That is where I belong . . . Against your warm naked skin.” He raised his head and looked deeply into her astonished eyes. “Good night, Darling.” Then he was gone.
♣♣♣
At breakfast, Honesty had slipped the necklace to Teresa, and watched as the boys continued to try to find it among the girls. Honesty worked hard to keep her eyes from being drawn to Greyson. She couldn’t believe he had said that last night. She had never heard a more scandalous comment in her life. She couldn’t stop herself from thinking about it. Why would he say an outrageous thing like that? No one said such improper things to good girls. Did they? It was shameful, she was shocked, she was appalled, she was fascinated. She wasn’t going to wonder about it anymore, she told herself. But that was impossible.
Greyson watched in amusement as Honesty sat studying her bagel and ignoring him. The high color in her cheeks was very telling. He definitely had her attention.
When Greyson got a chance, he mentioned to Lord Byron that at some point Mrs. Williams would be called away and he should be ready. He whistled as he walked to his study. He needed to get busy if he was going to go riding with the beautiful Miss Honesty this afternoon.
♣♣♣
By the time Greyson arrived at the salon before dinner, he was feeling quite vexed. He had several problems that had cropped up in the early morning that had taken most of the day to sort out and would take several more to solve. He had only been able to visit Honesty in the nursery briefly and she had spared him little time or attention as Abby and Blue were both sick with snotty noses and coughs. One look at their flushed, teary faces had convinced him that there was no way he could pry Honesty away for even a minute. He had tried to console himself that he would see her later, but he knew that if the children were not feeling better, she would not be at dinner that night. He would be forced to skulk in the hall at midnight for even a glimpse of her. His mind flashed to the image of her wrapped in his arms; nothing between his hands and her but her white night gown. Her face turned up to his, her lips slightly parted. Her eyes shining in the moonlight like emeralds. And her shocked surprise at his quiet words. Greyson chuckled, for a repeat of that moment, he would gladly wait for her all night.
Greyson listened with half on ear was the boys continued to question the girls, their tone more confident and flirty than before. The girls twittered and flirted back; their parents and chaperons always watching. Greyson watched as Mrs. Williams and Miss Prudence walked into
the room and greeted several other matrons before settling into one of the settees near the empty fireplace. Greyson frowned. Why did Mrs. Williams always make sure she was within reaching distance of the young Miss Prudence, but thought nothing of the oldest disappearing for hours at a time without supervision? Even though, Greyson was sure that the words from Honesty’s mouth about her inappropriate behavior at the Buckingham Palace had come straight from her mother’s mouth. Greyson could see at no time where the woman had provided Honesty an escort except when she was with Pretty. All the times he had asked her to walk with him, it had always been in the presence of only the children and staff. The situation puzzled him greatly, but he was also thankful for it. He thought of the conversations they had had in empty hallways, his study, the gardens, the nursery, and stables that he could not have dared in the presence of a chaperon. Greyson felt for poor Lord Byron, afraid to speak in the presence of Mrs. Williams and unable to see Pretty alone. “Buck up, old man,” Greyson silently saluted the redhead, “your luck is about to change.”
Greyson’s attention was caught as the gong sounded, at the same second Honesty slid into the room. She walked across the room and greeted Teresa as his sister rose from her chair. Greyson would have missed the exchange if he had not been watching so closely. Teresa leaned forward and whispered something in Honesty’s ear as she slipped something into her hand. Greyson smiled as his recognized the glint of a silver locket changing hands.
At the table, he was even more delighted to see that Honesty had been seated on his right in the rotation finally. But he grimaced when he realized that Lord Todds had been seated at Honesty’s elbow and Lord Charles Bothwell had been seated on his left.
As the meal began, Greyson leaned forward and asked if the children were feeling better.
Honesty only nodded her head in reply.
He then asked if there was anything he could be to help.
She shook her head no.
He then asked her the name of her favorite book, and held out his hand under the cover of the table so that she was the only one who could see it.
She frowned at his hand, and then sighed and slipped the chain into his palm with reluctance. The others did not notice this exchange. Honesty’s mouth took on a determined look and she opened her mouth to start the questions in reverse, but Lord Charles interrupted her and asked questions of her instead. As she answered them, she realized that if Greyson had not taken the trinket then Lord Charles would have. She smiled at Charles and answered truthfully that she did not have the token. He sighed in regret and moved on to the topic of French wines.
Honesty smiled and asked Greyson, “Did you have a nice day?
Greyson smiled at her game, and replied, “I had a long day. The roof fell in on the one of the parish churches. It will have to be replaced.”
“I am sorry to hear that. Is it going to be difficult?”
“No, just take more time than the town want it to.
“But you can get it fixed soon?”
Greyson smiled and shook his head. “I don’t have it.”
Honesty’s eyebrow went up.
“Honestly,”
Honesty had sat in confused puzzlement for a while before her eyes lit on the very guilty looking young Lord Charles. Greyson saw Honesty gauging the situation. Charles was sitting next to Miss Sarah Goodman. Honesty smiled at Charles.
“How was your day?”
“Marvelous,” Charles said.
“What did you do today?”
“Oh, we went riding down to the shore. It was a good time.”
Honesty watched as Charles handed the necklace back to Greyson. Her smile grew wider.
Greyson watched as the wheels turned in his angel’s head. He could see her going through the plays just like she had the night before when playing chess. She was so adorable with that look of concentration on her lovely brow.
“I have been wondering, Miss Honesty, where did you learn to play chess?”
“We live near Lord Simpson and Tagen Manor. He is a widower whose only child is married and lives in Scotland. He has a large library that he allows my family access to. It is his rule that to borrow a book, one must play him at chess. It is his favorite game.”
“He is a master player?”
“Yes, he used to belong to the Royal Chess Club in London when he lived here.”
“And do you win in your games with Lord Simpson.”
Honesty chuckled, “Not often, but True has begun winning several of their matches here lately. Pretty thinks that it is because Lord Simpson is getting older, but I think True is just that good. I haven’t won against True for at least a year now.” Greyson’s eyebrow rose at this revelation. He tried to imagine the young blonde boy standing in the sand dunes with a wooden pirate sword in his hand, hunched over a chess game winning in a game against the best chess player he had ever played. And where had she learned so much about French wines? She seemed very knowledgeable as she was talking to Lord Charles.
Greyson concentrated on his food as the conversation moved around him. He smiled when he realized that Honesty had for a time let the game with the locket drop.
At the end of the meal, Greyson stood and asked for an accounting of the token. The girls all looked in Honesty’s direction in expectation. Honesty ducked her head and refused to return their questioning gaze. After a moment when everyone started looking at each other in puzzlement, Greyson held the locket up and let it drop and swing from its chain.
“Nowhere in the rules, did it say that the opposite group must know when the token changes hands?” The young girls gasped at his possession of the prize. “But I would suggest a new rule – the token is not allowed to change hands at the dinner table. It limits the token holder and makes it impossible for them to retain possession.” Greyson could see the girls understood that Honesty had no choice but to have handed it over. “Any other suggestions?” He paused a second and then leaned forward and told Lord Charles something that was for his ears only. Lord Charles stood up, and Greyson moved his hand over Charles and dropped the necklace into his cupped hands. Charles grinned mischievously, and chuckling left the room. The others followed quickly. Greyson watched Honesty follow her mother from the room.
The Duke moved to his grandmother’s side and escorted her to her rooms.
“I invited Mrs. Williams and Lady Collins to help me with the plans for the masque ball. They will be helping me for only an hour each day for the next two weeks. . . I do hope you remember this when I want something in return.”
“Yes, Grandmother.” Greyson knew she was adding this favor to the tally she kept in her head.
“There is something you could do for me.” Greyson waited. “This game you have started is marvelous, but the eligibles are still in separate groups. At least the groups are talking to each other now.” She sighed and shook her head, “I just wish that was some way to move them along to speaking as individuals. I have never seen a more timid group of girls in my life. We only have two weeks left. They are so silly.”
“Yes, grandmother. That is why I haven’t participated in one of these retreats in almost ten years.”
His grandmother’s eyes twinkled, “I know. And the speculation among the guests – especially Claire your sister - is utterly delightful. Although, I think Teresa knows.”
“I am sure Robert told her. You know he has never been able to keep anything from her.”
“Well, keep the rest of them guessing, dear, it is more fun that way.”
“Good night, grandmother.”
Chapter 8
Greyson leaned against the smooth wood of the paneled hallway and waited. He had taken the time he was standing in the corridor, to contemplate his next move. He stared at her door. Was she in there? Or was she in the nursery? If he knocked on the door, Pretty would most likely answer, and his presence would undoubtedly cause her to faint. It wouldn’t look right, for the duke to be checking in the nursery at midnight. Hummmm. He didn’t know
how much longer he could chance waiting here. And then he heard the soft click of the nursery door far down the corridor and footsteps started in his direction. He didn’t step from the shadows until he could see her face clearly in the moonlight.
“Grey,” she hissed at him in the near darkness. “You must stop doing this.”
He stepped forward and blocked the path to her door. “Hello, darling.”
“Why are you here again?”
Greyson voice smiled as he moved closer. Honesty stepped back. He noticed that she was still wearing her dress from dinner and not the tantalizing nightgown of the night before. “I needed to return something of yours.”
“Couldn’t you have waited until morning?” Her back touched the wall.
“Oh, no, Darling, this needed to be returned to its rightful place as soon as possible.” Moonlight glittered off the silver chain as he held it between his hands and reached to clasp it behind her neck. The locket was still warm from the heat of his hands. Honesty sucked in a disconcerted breath as he moved closer and slid a hand against the skin of her neck to pull her dark curtain of hair through the chain and then let the hair fall in a cascade down her back.
Honesty now understood Lord Charles look at the end of the meal. Greyson had not actually given him the necklace. It was a sleight of hand.
Greyson stood looking at Honesty for a minute, not moving.
“Well, goodnight. . .” Honesty started too slid along the wall.
His hands planted on either side of her head in a move that Honesty was beginning to become familiar with. She stopped. “Since we both know this is where the locket belongs, and you refuse to accept it as a gift, what if we make a wager?”
“Another wager – I did not do so well with the last one.”
Greyson shrugged, “We will wager on the outcome of the token game.” The fingers of his right hand slid along the chain on the side of her neck, touching only the chain. “If the ladies win, you keep the jewelry, fair and square.” He watched as her eyes darkened to emerald. He leaned closer. His breath mingled with hers. “But if the ladies do not win, I get one kiss.” His fingers slid back up the chain. Her breathing quickened. “One kiss from you,” he added softly. He didn’t want her to be able to find a loophole in this bet.