He reached over and tugged her close against his side. “Well, he saved me from having to get upset by announcing to the room they had just become affianced.”
She looked up at Andrew’s face, surprised at the half-smile she saw. “And this makes you smile?”
“Of course, it does. I can see plain as day the man has fallen in love with her. Caroline has finally met her match. Besides, having her married at last will give me a few years of peace before we have to get Margie and Abagail settled.” He leaned in and nuzzled Emma’s neck, placing a kiss right behind her earlobe.
She snuggled against her husband’s chest. His hand lay on top of her large belly. “Not as long as you think. Margie is already eighteen.” She yawned. As much as she loved Andrew’s warmlips nibbling on her neck, she couldn’t keep her eyes open. This baby was draining the life right out of her. Her eyelids grew heavy. “I just hope that Caroline doesn’t get cold feet. I’ve never seen a woman so scared of belonging to someone else.”
Andrew pulled the sheets up around her. “I have.” He kissed her on the cheek. She should argue about his inference, but her exhaustion rolled roughshod over her, and her eyes closed, sliding her into peaceful oblivion.
Chapter 26
Friday evening, Cage stood anxiously in front of the Worthington. Four days ago, he had discovered Grace at Devonshire’s bacchanal. Three days ago, he had become affianced to the duke’s sister. Two days ago, he had received an invitation from the Duchess of Gilchrest to come with his sister to a celebratory dinner. Yesterday, he had received a missive from Lord Winters asking if he had made any progress investigating the list of Caroline’s suitors. It had been one hell of a week.
He glanced down the street again. They should be here by now. Then he spotted William and Grace turning the corner. Grace looked lovely and fresh in a pale pink dress and straw bonnet. Pieces of her dark blonde hair blew gently around her face, and the warm evening had brought a rosy blush to her cheeks. Grace looked achingly young, but her expression was wary, her eyes downcast.
Cage strode forward to meet them, “Good evening, William. Grace, you look beautiful tonight. Pink suits you.”
“Thank you. Mellie altered it for me. It was a dress that never got picked up from the seamstress.” She kept her eyes on the footpath.
“We will go shopping next week and get everything you need ordered, anything you want.”
“That’s all right. I don’t need much. Just a couple of new dresses, perhaps. This bonnet will do fine.” She fiddled with the ribbon.
A couple of dresses? He would buy her an entire new wardrobe if she would let him. “We’ll put Lady Caroline in charge. She’ll know what you need. But for now, let’s get through tonight. William, will you hail us a hack?”
“Surely, sir.” William wandered up the street to flag down a carriage.
Cage put his hands in his pockets to keep himself from pulling Grace into his embrace right here on the street. He had promised Caroline that he would give his sister some space to make the first overture. “Did Caroline explain to you about tonight?”
Grace’s gaze was still focused on the hem of her skirt. “Yes, she said that you two are engaged to be married.” Her gaze flitted briefly to meet his before dropping back to the ground. A small smile turned up the corners of her lips. “Congratulations, Cage. I like her very much.”
So Caroline hadn’t told her the truth about their arrangement. Perhaps it was for the best. “Thank you. Will you feel comfortable staying in the duke’s household? Because I can get you accommodation elsewhere, just say the word.”
Grace shook her head. “No, I feel safe there.”
But not with me.Cage let out a long breath. “All right. But if you change your mind, just tell me. Ah, here is our hack.” He offered Grace his arm, but she was already walking to William, who stood next to the carriage's open door. Without hesitation, she gave him her hand.
William helped Grace into the carriage. She gave him a shy smile. “Thank you, William, for walking with me.”
“Of course, miss. It was my pleasure.” He tipped his cap. Turning to Cage, he bade him a good evening.
Cage climbed next to his sister, disheartened that Caroline’s coachman had received a genuine smile from his sister, but she hadn’t even yet looked at him directly. “Are you prepared for tonight? Lady Caroline said that the whole family would be in attendance. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, let me know. I will whisk you away.”
“Cage, stop fretting. Lady Caroline explained to me everyone who would be at dinner. She has been very kind. Even warned me about the dog.”
“The dog?” Caroline hadn’t told him anything about tonight’s dinner. He hadn’t seen her since they had been caught kissing in the flower room. “She has a dog?”
His confusion must have shown in his expression because Grace laughed, a low throaty chuckle from her gut. It was a sound he hadn’t heard in years. He grasped her hand and squeezed her fingers. “I’ve missed your laugh. I miss our talks. I want to—”
“Cage, I’m sorry.” She finally met his gaze. “I know you are trying hard to be patient. That you want to know how I came to be with Mrs. Gwyn. But I’m not ready to talk about things that have happened in the past year.” She slid her hand from his, sitting back against the squabs. “But I will tell you about the dog.” A smile emerged. “Apparently, her sister-in-law, the duchess, has this enormous wolfhound as a pet. His name is Fergus. Lady Caroline told me he is quite sweet despite his grizzled appearance.”
Cage leaned back as he listened to his sister run down all the various family members in the ducal household. Grace was talking to him, and he would take what he could get. Caroline was right; he needed to let Grace tell him about what happened to her in her own time. She would be safe tucked away at Gilchrest House. That’s what was important.
They pulled up around the gravel drive of Gilchrest house. The house was a grand old beauty. As they were welcomed into the home, Cage was surprised by how open and airy the space felt. A grand staircase flanked an open foyer, its centerpiece a large marble fountain that spewed water into a shallow circular pool.
“Welcome, Lord Wrotham. The family is in the drawing room. Please follow me.”
“Must everyone call you that?” Grace muttered under her breath.
