But her brother was far too wise for her ruse. He tugged at the coat still wrapped about her shoulders. “This belongs to Viscount Aylesford, unless I am mistaken. And if I am mistaken, we have an even greater problem facing us now than I feared, Grace. So, tell me, if you please, which gentleman in attendance at this house party did you meet alone in the gardens? And which gentleman offered you his coat?”
She stared at her brother, stricken by the turn of events. When she had gone into the gardens, she had not bothered to think about consequences. And when she had realized she was not alone, that the male figure in the distance, smoking a cigar and so handsome in the silver light of the moon, had been Aylesford, she had not stopped. She had merely gone to him. She had been drawn to him, it was true, in the same way she had been drawn to him from their first dance together at the Welcome Ball.
“You are lying to me, Grace,” her brother said sternly.
And he was, of course, not wrong.
Her older brother was protective and wise. She should have known better than to suppose she could fool him, or to think he would fail to notice the coat draped over her shoulders as boldly as any battle flag.
She sighed. “I am being truthful. I went outside for some fresh air. I was overheated. The wintry air quickly cooled me. But then, I noticed I was not alone. Lord Aylesford was already in the gardens, yes. However, we most certainly did not arrange for an assignation. I can assure you that nothing untoward occurred. He merely gave me his coat so I would not be cold. That is all.”
Dev’s countenance turned stern. “Grace, I want the best for you.”
She bowed her head. “Yes, Dev.”
“Look at me.”
She jerked her head up, forcing herself to meet her brother’s gaze. “I am looking.”
“I am doing my damnedest to make our family—the reviled Winters, whose names are darkened by trade—proper. I want doors to open to us all. I want thebeau mondeto welcome us. I want happiness for us all, free of scandal, free of the shadows of the past.” Her brother paused, seeming to gain his stride then. “But this cannot be accomplished, and it cannot be done, if any one of us embroils the rest of us in scandal. Not myself, not Prudence, not you, not any of our sisters. It cannot be done. Do you understand, Grace?”
She nodded, guilt weighing her down, sending any lingering traces of hunger for Aylesford scattering. She had been foolish and reckless tonight. She would not tread such dangerous ground again. That much, she vowed to herself, then and there.
“I understand, Dev,” she said. “Forgive me, please. It was not my intention to cause a scandal or bring shame upon the rest of you. I would never have sought out the viscount in such a fashion. But since he was already there…”
“I know the power of attraction, Grace,” her brother said wryly. “I am pleased that your feelings for Aylesford run true, because I had my doubts until tonight. But take greater care of your reputation for the duration of the house party. If not for your sake, then for the sake of your sisters. Please?”
He’d had his doubts until tonight?
For some reason, the urge to correct her brother’s assumptions hit her. She was not so helplessly attracted to the viscount that she could not observe the tenets of propriety. No, indeed. Why, she could prove just how in control she was. Quite easily. One arrogant, handsome viscount was not enough to undo her.
Still, she knew now was not the time to argue.
Instead, she dipped into a curtsy. “Of course, Dev. I hold you and our sisters highest in my esteem always. You have my promise that I will not act so rashly in future.”
“Promise?” he pressed, searching her gaze, his jaws clamped tight.
“I promise,” she echoed, meeting his stare, unflinching.
At long last, it seemed he had the answer he sought.
“Excellent. Now, if you do not mind, it would not do for you to be seen running about the halls wearing your betrothed’s coat.” Her brother paused, his expression shifting, growing even more solemn. “Unless you want a scandal and a hasty wedding.”
“No,” she rushed to reassure him, moving to the side, before shrugging the coat from her shoulders and stepping away. “That is not what I wish. My only wish is for happiness for all of you.”
“On that matter, we are in accord, dear sister,” Dev said, still studying her, as if he was not certain if he could trust her words, her actions. “All I have ever wanted for you all is to see you happy and settled.”
Guilt, that constant pinprick within her, deepened.
She was deceiving her brother. Because she would not be settled when her bargain with Viscount Aylesford was done.
And neither, she was certain, would she be happy. Because those stolen kisses in the snow-drunk moonlight had changed something inside her.
Had changedher.
Forever.
Chapter Six
