Carrington sighed and pulled her a bit closer. “I do apologize, my lady. Using you was not the intent, but I can’t deny that your presence was helpful. I cannot share more, as I do not want to harm innocent parties involved. Just know all is well.”
While still curious, she nonetheless appreciated his discretion. With the matter dropped, she noticed that the duke’s attention was now focused solidly on her. As his eyes scanned over her face, she realized just how close they were to one another, and her breath quickened as his presence affected her. Just like yesterday when he had carried her to her room, she felt an instant sense of security.
His eyes slowly drifted up from her lips, which she had licked nervously, and his gaze locked with her own. Her body began to stir to life at the interest she saw in his expression, and she could not deny her attraction to this man. Her fingers itched to run through the slight waves in his chestnut hair, and she forced her hand to remain clasped within his own.
Awareness of everything else in the room began to fade as they stayed locked into one another, and she could barely feel her feet move as he effortlessly glided her about the floor. All too soon, the last strains of the song sounded, and as they stopped moving, she blinked and came back to herself.
“Thank you for a most pleasurable dance, my lady,” Carrington said as he bowed before her. Leaning forward, he kissed her fingers before releasing her hand. Even through her gloves, Grace felt the kiss burn all the way from her fingers up her arm. She stood dumbfounded on the edge of the dance floor as she watched him turn back toward his friend, and she knew without a doubt she would be too agitated from his touch to sleep well that evening.
CHAPTER13
After another early morning ride, Henry felt refreshed and ready for the day. That was quite the feat, considering he had not slept well the night before, his sleep disturbed with dreams of Lady Harcourt. Dancing with her last night had done something to him. Though he had held her before, dancing was different. When he had carried her to her room, he had been concerned for her wellbeing and the contact had been necessary. While it had not left him unaffected, it still had not packed the punch of deliberately pulling her close for a waltz.
Holding her had just feltrightin a way that he couldn’t explain. While Henry was certainly no saint, having been with many women over his thirty-six years, no one other than Grace had ever made him feel this way. Despite his friends’ teasing, he was not against the idea of marriage. He had just never met anyone who made him feel compelled to take that step. Being the second son of a second son, Henry never felt pressured to marry and produce offspring, since he would not be the heir to a title. And considering his time away at war, he had no desire to leave a wife or child behind should he perish.
Ever since inheriting his title, however, he felt pressure to find a match and knew his time alone was almost over. His plan had been to settle into his responsibilities before turning his attention to finding a wife. But considering Fitz’s words on how a wife could be a partner in his endeavors as duke, and with the draw he felt toward Lady Harcourt, he might be wise to act more immediately. After what could have been a disastrous evening with Lady Wrexham’s scheming, he knew he should act quickly if he desired to choose his own wife. With that in mind, he turned his horse over to a stable hand and set out for breakfast.
Rounding the corner of the house, he mounted the stairs to the back porch. Crossing the balcony, his eye was caught by movement near the house. As Henry turned toward the disturbance, he was surprised to see none other than Lady Harcourt herself, sitting in the corner of the balcony and taking in the garden. Just looking at her made a sense of calm wash over him.
“Lady Harcourt, what are you doing up so early?” he called out as he strode toward her. “I was just going to make my way toward breakfast, would you like to join me?”
He offered his arm and hoped she might take it. He wanted to feel her next to him again and, more than that, he wanted to talk with her. The more he sat with the thought of marriage, the more certain he became that he really should take the plunge. And he wanted Grace to fill the role.
Pulling her shawl tighter around her, Grace stood and placed her hand in the crook of Henry’s arm, and he immediately felt more settled by her touch, as if she were meant to be with him always, making him momentarily forget which direction he was leading them. It was the same feeling he had yesterday.
“I would be honored to join you, Your Grace. I’ve been up for a few hours already and I think I could eat an entire platter’s worth of food this morning,” Grace said.
Jolted back to the moment, he smiled down at her and led the way to the breakfast parlor.
* * *
Grace could hardly believe she was once again with the duke. She was more than happy to sit with him and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. They were the first to arrive in the breakfast room for the day and most likely would be the only occupants for a while due to the early hour. Entering the room, she was pleased to see Hudson, the footman who had assisted her before. He looked up from the buffet he was readying for the guests and beamed upon seeing her.
“Good morning, my lady. I hope you are better this morning than when I saw you last,” he said with a bow.
“I am. Thank you, Hudson,” she assured him as Carrington pulled out a chair for her. Hudson blushed when she called him by name, flattered she had remembered it.
“It is rather early,” he said. “I’m afraid we are still setting out the food. Is there anything in particular I can get you?”
Hudson was eager like a puppy dog, and Grace heard the duke chuckle under his breath at his pure earnestness. She smiled graciously at the footman as she made her request. “I’m afraid I woke early this morning and we are inconveniencing all of you with our presence at this hour. I am happy to wait for food, I don’t wish to rush the cook, but I would love some strong tea if you could procure some.”
“At once, my lady.” He quickly turned to do her bidding, but before he could leave the room, she called out his name.
“Yes, my lady?” he said, spinning to face her.
“I think you forgot to ask the duke what he would like,” she prompted gently. Grace heard Carrington muffle a grunt of amusement as he sat down next to her.
Hudson’s face turned positively scarlet. “My apologies, Your Grace,” he said with his head bowed. Turning toward the duke he asked, “Is there anything I can provide for you as well?”
Smiling, Carrington replied, “I would appreciate some coffee when you have the chance, but please do see to Lady Harcourt’s tea first.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Hudson dipped his head in another brief bow before hustling out of the room.
Carrington looked at her and his eyes shone in merriment. “That lad is half in love with you, you know,” he said. “Not that I can blame him.”
Catching her breath, Grace reminded herself that it meant nothing. He was only being polite. There was no way the duke meant that he could feel any kind of affection toward her, let alone a feeling approaching love. And Grace certainly didn’t need feelings to interfere with her plans. She had no business feeling anything for any man, as she would hopefully be placed as a companion soon.
Before anything else could be said between them, Hudson bustled back into the room carrying a tray with cups and a steaming teapot. As he set it down next to her, Grace turned to him with an inquiry. “Hudson, do you know the name of the maid who attended to me while I was ill? I should like to thank her.”
