“For what?”
“For persuading me to come with you today. Yes, I know we did not anticipate all that has happened, but truly—I have had a great deal of fun.” She paused. “I can’t really remember the last time I hadfun.”
“You deserve more.”
“Oh I am happy, don’t mistake my meaning. I have a nice home, friends to visit should I wish, Max and Kitty, and now my new niece Margaret. Those are my blessings and my joy. Butfun? Well, that hasn’t been part of my life for a while.”
“The music changes, doesn’t it?” He gazed into the flames. “We venture out into life accompanied by the lively sounds of an energetic country dance. It softens, mellows around us, until—until here we are, moving to the slow and stately measures of a minuet.”
She thought about that, her expression contemplative. “It would seem so, yes.”
“’Tis a shame that we expect that. Almost as if we set ourselves on that path without question,” he mused. “Why am I not out and about, doing more things, pursuing more goals? Instead, I linger within my house, letting my mind and my books take me to other places. Other times.”
There was silence for a few moments after his words, and only the crackling of fire disturbed the peace.
Grace shifted, a rustle of silk against the chair. “I think it has to do with not only our expectations, but our choices, Perry.”
“How so?”
She paused, then met his gaze. “I believe we are now at a point where we can choose for ourselves what we truly wish to do, and where we truly wish to go. We are, as you said earlier, free and independent adults. We’re blessed with enough funds to see us comfortably established, and we have no family looking to us for advice or guidance, or a home, or anything along those lines.”
He nodded. “Yes, that is very true.”
“And so you have found pleasure in your quiet life, surrounded by the books you know you enjoy and exercising your mind in a way you might not have been able to in earlier years.”
“Again, all quite true.” He sipped his brandy. “And you, Grace. Have you found pleasure in your self-imposed solitude?”
Her hand moved toward her face, but he could see her halt the move. She was fighting the impulse, bless her. He was very proud of the strength she showed in that moment.
Her eyes drifted to the flames in the hearth. “A measure of contentment, Perry. There are times when I am delighted to be able to sink into a good book beside my own fire. I do not miss the chaotic whirl of the Season in town, nor do I miss the gossip, the inane chatter, the endless husband-hunting stream of debutantes whirling past at every ball or social event. None of those things were ever really to my taste.”
“I sense a ‘but’ coming…”
She sighed. “I cannot but confess that there are also times when I miss the company of good friends. A chance to exchange opinions on things that matter, not on the style of the latest bonnet. Yes, there are times I pine for intelligent conversation, and perhaps that explains my delight this evening.” She looked up, a smile on her face. “This has been exactly the sort of thing I’m talking about. Friendly and lively discussions, laughter…all the features that I find so exhilarating. And those I admit I miss.”
“You could have them, you know,” he observed.
That brought her chin up. “You understand full well why I cannot.”
He took a breath. “Tell me about it, Grace? Tell me about those scars? I believe some burdens become lighter with the sharing. You’ve carried a heavy burden yourself for far too long.”
Her neck moved as she swallowed, and he watched her shoulders rise and fall with several deep breaths.
“I don’t think…I’m not sure if I can…”
Her hesitation touched him, so he rose, put his glass on the mantelpiece and walked over to her, holding out both hands. “Stand up, my dear.”
Obediently she placed her hands in his and allowed him to pull her to her feet. “All right?”
He spun her around, took her place and pulled her into his lap before she realised what he intended.
“Oh…”?He smiled at her gasp of surprise. “Now we’re comfortable,” he grinned, settling her against his chest. “This is a much better spot for sharing delicate conversations, love.”
“This is…” she sputtered.
“Shocking. I know.”
She blinked at him, unsure, her posture stiff and uncertain. But she made no move to rise.
