That reminded Grace of the mess she’d made of that. “Of course the trellis again, and would you mind getting word to Fred or Jasper that I would be ever so grateful if they could see to it before anyone is the wiser?”
Nellie winced again. “Before anyone is the wiser about what, my lady?”
“About the fact that it appears to have torn away from the wall and snapped in two. I prefer that Mr. Warren not discover it, because he will insist on mentioning it to Chance.” Mr. Warren was the estate overseer doing his best to foster the same genuine interest for the country estate in Chance that Papa had always possessed, but Grace feared that was a lost cause. Chance loved London and the excitement it offered.
At Nellie’s open-mouthed shock, she held up a hand. “I was not injured. It slowly sagged away from the wall and enabled me to land safely.” Which was not a lie. She had landed safely in Wolfebourne’s arms—of course, thesafepart was debatable at this point, especially since her heart still beat so fast that she was somewhat breathless. She extended her arms. “See? Not a scratch.”
Nellie stared at her in earnest. “Forgive me for being so bold, my lady, but your dearly departed mama—God rest her soul—would be most displeased.”
“I am in no mood for lectures, thank you. I get quite enough from Seri.” Grace didn’t appreciate being scolded by her older-than-usual lady’s maid who had been chosen for her because she was deemed too much of a handful for a maid closer to her own age. She especially didn’t like being scolded when she knew the maid was correct. She turned and gave Nellie her back. “Please undo my hooks and buttons, then I can handle the rest. You may retire and enjoy what little there is left of the evening.”
“Yes, my lady.” Nellie’s regret about speaking her mind was unmistakable in her tone.
“I am not angry.” Grace bowed her head and rubbed her temples. “I am simply tired and wish to be alone before the herd comes upstairs.”
“Of course, my lady.”
Lovely.Grace blew out a frustrated sigh. For the next few days, Nellie wouldmy ladyher to death, and there would be no further updates on tidbits of gossip from the servants’ table. She supposed that served her right for getting churlish with poor old Nellie, but this evening had rattled her to her core. She clenched her teeth and waited for the maid to finish and leave the dressing room before she sagged down onto the stool in front of the dressing table.
“How could you let him get the upper hand?” she asked her reflection in the mirror. “Allow him to kiss you not once, but twice?” She dropped her head into her folded arms, trying to escape this mess of her own making. But the kisses had been so very nice. She swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the knot of emotions making her throat ache. The Duke of Wolfebourne,Wolfe, was not for her. He belonged to another. Society placed him and Lady Margaret within a hairsbreadth of the classification of husband and wife.
A gentle nudge against her leg paired with a snuffling woof made her lift her head. “Oh, Gastric. What am I to do?”
The sweet hound whined and thumped his tail while snuggling closer.
Slipping off the stool and onto the floor, she hugged him into her lap and rested her cheek against his velvety head. “I let him kiss me, Gastric. I am such a fool.”
“You did what?” Joy stood in the doorway of the short hallway that interconnected the bedrooms. “Who kissed you?”
“Lower your voice,” Grace snapped, defensive desperation nearly choking her. “Who else has already come up from the circus below?”
“I am the only one for now, but it won’t be long.” Joy hurried over and plopped onto the floor with her. “Who kissed you?”
“Are you truly that thick?”
Joy smirked. “Well, I thought I would give you the benefit of the doubt. I certainly hoped it was the Duke of Wolfebourne and not the lizard-like Blytheston or that cold, pasty Sir Andrew. I knew it wasn’t Middlebie because we would have heard the man crowing about it—besides, he seemed more than a little attentive to Lady Margaret this evening.” She went serious and stole a glance at the open doorway. “Speaking of Lady Margaret—what about her?” Her eyes flared wide as her thoughts vividly played across her face. How in the world Joy ever won at cards was a mystery to Grace, because her sister’s expressions always betrayed her emotions. “Has Wolfebourne revealed himself to be an insensitive rake?”
“When I reminded him that he belonged to another, he seemed genuinely remorseful.” Grace worried with Gastric’s long, floppy ears, wishing for wisdom about this impossible situation. “And I do believe it was an accident—the kiss, I mean, not his remorse. He saved me from a nasty fall when the trellis broke.”
“For heaven’s sake, how are you going to keep Chance or Seri from finding out about that? Seri will check it, you know. She saw you slip out into the garden, but that horrid Lady Longmorten finally deigned to join the conversation, so Seri couldn’t escape to go after you.”
“Nellie is seeing to that for me. I asked her to get one of the lads to clean up my mess before anyone finds it.” Grace angled an ear toward the open door. She swore a floorboard had creaked, as if someone approaching had mis-stepped. Most of them knew which spots on the floor groaned the loudest and gave their stealth away. “Did you hear that?”
Joy narrowed her eyes at the door. “Merry. Felicity. Come along. We know you are there.”
The sisters appeared, both looking sheepish.
“I told you not to step there,” Merry said to Felicity, accusation dripping from every word.
“It was not me.” Felicity gave an indignant snort. “You did it.”
“I did it,” Serendipity said from behind them, making all of them jump and clutch at their hearts. She homed in on Grace, marching forward like an enraged archangel ready to vanquish evil. “Explain yourself.”
“I find such an unfounded attitude quite offensive,” Grace shot back, determined to bluff her way through this.
“Unfounded?” Serendipity arched a brow while slowly circling the dressing room that had become uncomfortably crowded. “I saw the trellis just as Fred and Jasper arrived to clear away your evidence, and just now overheard bits of your conversation. I repeat, dear sister, explain yourself. Fully, if you please.”
Grace cleared her throat and attempted a demureness she in no way felt. “What exactly did you overhear? Eavesdropping is rude, you know. Mama always said so.”
