“Over there, that is Lady Jersey.” Samantha flickered her eyes in the direction of several dowagers sitting in chairs, almost as if they were holding court in the corner of the ballroom. “We shall introduce you after a few minutes. I see Lady Greywick, and that is the first introduction we must make.”
Grace glanced in the other direction to observe the other lady in question. She was tall and elegant, her dark eyes and hair a lovely complement to her light yellow gown. As if noting their regard, she turned and met Samantha’s smile with one of her own. After making her excuses to her conversation partners, she began to cross the ballroom to meet them.
As she approached, Grace swallowed her slight apprehension and waited to be formally introduced.
“Lady Greywick, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
“Ah, dear Samantha.” Lady Greywick held out her gloved hand to squeeze Samantha’s affectionately. “And how is your sister?” Lady Greywick’s eyes danced with delight upon mentioning her.
“Quite well, as I’m sure you can imagine.” Samantha’s smile was broad, unreserved and delighted as she spoke of her sister. “And you appear to be very happily situated yourself.”
“I am, indeed. All due to your sister and that charming husband of hers,” Lady Greywick murmured softly.
Grace’s gaze flickered back to Samantha; that would be a story she wanted to hear later.
“Allow me to introduce Miss Iris Grace Morgan, who also goes by Miss Grace.” Samantha made a small sweeping gesture to Grace, and she took the cue to dip in a curtsey.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Grace murmured softly, trying to be as ladylike as possible.
“It is very good to meet you my dear,” Lady Greywick replied, her smile kind and warm.
“Thank you,” Grace replied.
Lady Greywick glanced over her shoulder and noted the situation of the dowagers in the other corner. “I do believe that now is as good a time as any for introductions. If you will allow me?”
Samantha nodded, and Grace quietly gave her thanks, and their small party started to cross the ballroom along the edge, so as not to disturb the dancers.
As Grace approached, her nerves grew tight. This introduction was important, and as such, she was of course terrified she would somehow make an unpardonable faux pas, sealing her fate as a failed debutant.
“Lady Jersey, Lady Drummel, and Lady Markson, allow me to introduce Miss Grace Morgan, ward of the Viscount Kilpatrick. She is new to London this season and wished to make your acquaintance.” Lady Greywick made the smooth introduction, and on cue, Grace dipped a curtsey.
“A pleasure,” she murmured softly, meeting the unmoved gaze of Lady Jersey.
The dowager gave a slight nod, and the other ladies present followed suit.
“And of course, you’re familiar with Lady Kilpatrick, the daughter of the Duke of Chatterwood.” Lady Greywick continued with the introductions.
“Ah, yes. We’re quite familiar with you, Lady Kilpatrick,” Lady Jersey remarked, and Grace studied her tone and expression for a hint of distain, but found none, just plenty of curiosity.
“A pleasure.” Samantha was as sweet as ever, and Grace admired her poise.
“Tell me, Miss Grace, how do you find London?” Lady Markson asked.
Grace paused. Did she answer honestly or how she thought they wanted her to answer? She chose a blend of the two options. “It has its charms, my lady.”
“A diplomatic response if I’ve ever heard one,” Lady Jersey remarked. “Do you somehow find it wanting?”
Grace felt like a rabbit stuck in a snare. If she lied, certainly they would be able to discern it; if she spoke the truth, she risked offense.
“I have only been here a short amount of time, and as such, haven’t had the time to develop a firm opinion, my lady,” she answered, quite pleased with how she negotiated such a minefield.
She could almost feel the relieved sigh of Samantha.
“Wisely said,” Lady Markson replied. “And where are you from?”
Grace continued, “My parents traveled much, my lady. While originally from Matlock, they rarely visited their hometown. Mostly we divided our time between India, the continent, and sometimes the Caribbean.”
“My, so widely traveled for one so young,” Lady Jersey replied.
Grace wasn’t sure how to reply, so she kept her peace.
“Well, it is good of you to make the introductions, Lady Greywick. Thank you, and we will be watching your début with some interest, Miss Grace,” Lady Drummel replied, effectively dismissing the small party.
Grace relaxed the moment she gave a bobbing curtsey and turned to leave. One disaster avoided; maybe she had gotten all the trouble out of her system last night. Regardless, she was thankful to have avoided a tragedy this time.
“Now, with that all finished, you will no doubt find some relief,” Lady Greywick commented as they walked toward the refreshment table.
Good Lord, all Grace wanted in the world was a cool glass of lemonade.
As she reached for one, she was disappointed to feel the glass of the cup less than cool, and as she sipped, the lemonade merely tepid versus refreshing. Well, it was at least quenching her thirst, even if it was a little sour.
“Ah, it looks as if Lord Sterling is making the rounds. He is quite determined to assist you, my dear,” Samantha whispered.
“I find that interesting.” Lady Greywick commented slyly.
“His loyalty knows no bounds, or so my husband says,” Samantha replied.
“Or his interest.” Lady Greywick gave a wink to Grace and then made her excuses.
Grace dismissed her comment, and watched Lord Sterling’s approach.
“Good day.” He bowed crisply.
There was a slight shadow under his eyes that hadn’t been there the night before, and she wondered what had caused such a change in his appearance.
“Good day, Lord Sterling.” Grace replied, as well as Samantha.
“I trust you’ve already made the necessary introductions?” he asked, then glanced to Samantha for confirmation.
“Yes, Lady Greywick was happy to assist.”
“Good, that was quite kind of her. She was the one you applied to for vouchers as well, I assume?” he asked.
“Yes, she was quite helpful in all areas.”
He nodded, and the conversation lulled. The music started back up into a reel, and Grace glanced about the room at the various gentlemen, none of whom approached her.
After a moment’s pause, Lord Sterling cleared his throat. “If you will?” He offered his hand, and Grace accepted it. But rather than lead her to the dance floor, which was what she was expecting, he led her alongside the ballroom, toward a group of gentlemen. Before they approached, he whispered quietly, “The viscount needed to address some business, so I’m to provide you with adequate introductions.”
Grace was saved from a reply by their arrival in the small circle of gentlemen, whose conversation came to a grinding halt at their approach. Heat flushed her face at their inquiring expression as each bowed.
“Miss Grace, allow me to introduce you to several gentlemen of my acquaintance.” Lord Sterling gestured to each man in turn, naming them, five gentlemen in all.
“A pleasure, Miss Grace.” One of them, a Mr. Smythe, stepped forward. “If you will allow me the pleasure of your next dance?”
Grace readily accepted, and soon she was promised to each gentleman for a dance. Lord Sterling left her in the care of Mr. Smythe as the music began, and, as she approached the dance floor, couldn’t help but admire at how quickly, easily, and efficiently he’d neatly introduced her to several eligible men.
She danced in turn with each new gentleman, and as the time came to take their leave, Samantha collected her from the arm of the last gentleman, a Lord Garton, and made their excuses. By the time they were in the carriage on their way home, Grace realized she hadn’t seen Lord Sterling’s departure, nor thanked him
.
“That was very generous of Lord Sterling,” Grace commented to Samantha as they made their way home.
Samantha gave a small grin. “Yes, but it also benefited him as well.”
Grace frowned. “In what way?”
Samantha lifted a shoulder. “It would seem that last night’s dance with you created a stir, much like I said it would, and my husband mentioned that Lord Sterling was anxious to put to rest the suspicions of many.”
“Meaning?” Grace still was unsure as to what she referred.
“Meaning, if others saw him put you in the path of eligible men, then they would cease in suspecting his interest in you.”
Grace wasn’t sure why, but her spirits deflated a little at such a revelation. “Oh, well . . . then I’m pleased that I could assist with what he needed to convey. No one watching us this afternoon would suspect that there was any attachment between us.”
“No. No one would,” Samantha agreed. “However, that begs the question, did you find any gentlemen that could encourage an attachment?”
Grace smiled at this. “They were all very kind, and good dancers. Better dancers than I, I admit.”
Samantha giggled.
“I dare say that I might have a few call on me tomorrow, but it’s far too quick for me to gauge my respect or affection for any.”
“Wise girl,” Samantha spoke. “And I do agree, I think tomorrow will present a few callers, and that will afford time for conversation. And conversation can easily lead to attachment and interest. We, my dear, have made a very important first step.”
“And I didn’t manage to ruin it,” Grace couldn’t help but mention.
“No, you did perfectly. As I knew you would. Have more faith in yourself, my dear. Don’t mistake your strengths as being weaknesses simply because others don’t share them.”
“I understand, but I will triumph in today.”
“As you should.”
“Tomorrow has enough trouble. I shall not borrow it.”
Samantha gave her a beleaguered look. “So much for faith in yourself.”
“One step at a time.”
“That is all I can ask.”
Chapter Ten
Ramsey congratulated himself on such a brilliant plan. It seemed to work quite well! In introducing Miss Grace to eligible men yesterday, the betting book had seen no increase in wagers based on his interest. And it was a commonly known truth that the betting book had a finger on the pulse of the gossip of the ton. So, as far as he was concerned, it was a swimming success story.
He had bloody well racked his brain in efforts to find a way to discourage such gossip, and the answer was so simple, he nearly overlooked it.
And as long as he continued in such a fashion, he could neatly fulfill his honor and duty as a friend by assisting Heathcliff while simultaneously not bringing his bachelor status into question.
Today was certainly an improvement over yesterday!
He added up the sums in the book, as was his habit, and was about to quit the office when there was a sharp knock on the door.
“Come in,” he called.
Heathcliff opened the door, striding into the room with ease. “I see you are in a much better mood than yesterday. Good Lord, man. One of these days you’ll be wound so tight everything in you will snap.” Heathcliff helped himself to a chair and lounged in it.
“Well, my personal crisis is averted.”
“It wasn’t a crisis,” Heathcliff replied with an exasperated tone.
“For you,” Ramsey replied. “How may I assist you?”
“I’m not a patron, Ramsey.” Heathcliff gave a chuckle. “I was just checking on you. You seemed so out of sorts I was concerned about that snapping actually taking place.”
“Your concern is heartwarming,” Ramsey replied with sarcasm.
“I try,” Heathcliff replied. “In all truth, though, I’ve come to a decision.”
“Good Lord, do I want to know?”
“Yes. Since it pertains to you.”
“Now I’m quite certain I don’t wish to know. And who gave you leave to make decisions for me?”
Heathcliff gave a disinterested shrug. “Someone has to help you.”
“And, pray tell, why do I require help?”
“Because you’re . . . well . . . you.”
Ramsey gave a slow clap. “Your eloquence in conversation is humbling.”
“Bastard. Just listen.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Too bad. I’m absolving you of any assistance with my ward. There. That is all.” Heathcliff dusted his hands off as if washing his hands of the whole mess.
Ramsey blinked, then cocked his head. “Pardon?”
“You take things too far, and with far too serious a notion. She is my responsibility, and as such, I’m the one to take it upon myself to introduce her to gentlemen, and then scare them off when I find them unsuitable until the right gentleman asks for her hand.”
“You sound like a right and proper father, not a guardian. I thought you wanted to marry the girl off post haste?” Ramsey leaned forward on the desk, folding his hands, curious at this change of events.
“Ideally I’d marry her off quickly and to the right man, but I’m afraid I need both of those requirements met.”
“Well, I dare say you’ll be able to marry her off in a season or two, as long as no more events like what happened at the Drummels’ ball take place.”
“It’s part of her charm.”
“Spoken like a blind father.”
Heathcliff made a rude gesture to Ramsey, and Ramsey chuckled. “So, you don’t wish for my help?”
“No. You’ll just take over, and your sense of loyalty is admirable, but not necessarily . . . healthy.”
“I’m offended.”
“It isn’t the first time.”
“True, still . . . I suppose I should thank you,” Ramsey replied, furrowing his brow. Oddly he didn’t feel relieved, or thankful. Rather, he felt slighted. It was worrisome and unwelcome to feel such a way.
“That is the response that I’d expect,” Heathcliff said, “from anyone but you.”
“And the offense continues,” Ramsey sighed.
“Just . . . maybe take a break. Go travel. You’ve had more than your share of business and no pleasure.”
“Pleasure is for the weak,” Ramsey replied.
“Says the man in great need of it,” Heathcliff replied swiftly. “Lucas will arrive in a week, and we shall have all things in hand here.”
“I’m becoming obsolete, is what you’re saying.”
“No. I’m saying take some time to yourself before you do become obsolete and a pain in my arse with your highly overactive sense of control.”
“I doubt I compare with Lucas’s tight hold on it,” Ramsey grumbled.
“You are on the path to becoming far more controlling than even he was at his peak, so that is why I’m suggesting you take a new path before it’s too late.”
Ramsey sighed. “Very well, I’ll make a few arrangements. At least you didn’t suggest I find a woman.”
“I know better than to suggest such a thing. What woman would I wish you upon?” he teased.
To this, Ramsey had to chuckle. “Who indeed?”
It was after this conversation that Ramsey left for his residence, deep in thought and reflective of the previous conversation. There was much to be digested, and he found the idea of a break a welcome one.
Sleep was swift in coming, and upon waking, he decided that if he were going through with the idea of a sabbatical, he wished to spend a grand time of it in rest. Good Lord, heaven only knew how much sleep he’d missed because of Temptations and the quick departure of his two friends last year.
It was to their credit that they wished him a break from work, yet as he made the final arrangements for his time off, he felt a great restlessness overtake him.
What in heaven’s name was he to do now, aside from catch up on sleep?
London held no attachment for him.
And he bloody well didn’t wish to go back to Glenwood Manor. It had been nearly five years since he’d returned.
Which only punctuated the point that it was beyond time for him to return and address business in his country seat.
But he was loath to do it. Returning to Glenwood Manor would most certainly not constitute a vacation. Rather, it would be the severest of punishment.
Which was probably why he was already planning to go.
When guilt plagued you, punishment was always the answer.
And there could be no more severe punishment than to return to the place that sealed his estimation in his father’s eyes.
Glenwood Manor.
Where his father, and Ramsey’s honor, died the same day.
As arrangements were made for him to depart within a few days’ time, he sent off a letter that notified the staff of his upcoming return. The housekeeper would likely have a heart spasm from shock at the news, and the steward would probably call it an answer to a prayer. He was half tempted to rid himself of the place, but it had been in his family for generations, and such legacy wasn’t so easily dismissed.
Ramsey also sent word to Heathcliff to notify him of the upcoming departure, and only on the last line left the destination of his venture. He could almost hear the groan and displeasure of his friend at reading his intentions. But Heathcliff, while loyal, never had the same drive in sense of honor that Ramsey experienced.
No, Heathcliff was far more jovial, flexible, and dismissive of the harsh truths of propriety. It was times like these that Ramsey wished he were more like his friend.
And other times, he wished his friend was more like him.
But, as in most good friendships, they balanced each other out in a beneficial way.
The few days’ time before his departure passed quickly under the constant details that needed attending to in order for the trip to be made smoothly. And far quicker than he would have wished, Ramsey found himself in a carriage on the way to Glenwood Manor in northern England. He could only praise God that it would take him a full two days on the road to get to his destination.
He’d need that much time to resign himself to the fact that he was returning.
The Temptation of Grace Page 8