“I believe it was Miss Molly, my lady,” Hudson replied. “Would you like me to find her for you, or to share with her your thanks?” He deftly poured tea for her and then set down a pitcher of cream and a bowl of sugar before removing the tray.
“No, that will not be necessary,” Grace said. “I do not wish to disturb her work more than I already have. Thank you for sharing her name. I will be on the lookout for her today so that I may be able to thank her personally.”
“Of course, my lady. The cook is just finishing up a wonderful-smelling quiche. I’ll bring it up for you both in a moment. In the meantime, there are pastries at the buffet. I will leave you to your tea.” He once again bowed and left the room.
Turning her attention back to the duke, she noticed that he was scrutinizing her. “What, is something amiss?” she asked as she patted her hair, trying to assess if anything was out of place.
“You are so kind,” he replied, as his quizzical gaze turned to a look of admiration.
“In what way?” she asked, curious as to what had prompted his observation.
“Twice now I have witnessed you take special care to note the service of the staff here,” he said. “The other day, even when you were not at all feeling well, you took the time to remember Hudson and to thank him. Then, just now, you inquired about the maid who nursed you. You notice those whom others would overlook, whom others would dismiss as simply providing a service.”
Grace was surprised by his observation. “Well, yes,” she said slowly, thinking about this from his perspective. “I suppose it is their job, but that does not mean I should not be appreciative when they do it well and it makes my life easier. With Molly, she went above and beyond her normal duties to make sure my needs were met. I’m quite sure that nursing is not a normal part of a maid’s duties, and she has enough work to do without attending to me. I owe it to her to acknowledge the extra care she took and to thank her for the service,” she finished with conviction.
“As I said,” he replied with a soft smile, “you are kind. You are not wrong to observe their dedication and that it should be acknowledged, but many in our class do not think that way. They believe they are superior and should be served. It would never cross their mind to think it extraordinary.” He was looking at her with such gentleness and respect that her chest tightened. She was not used to others thinking well of her. In the past seven years, kind words had been few and far between, and now she realized just how starved for them she was.
At that moment, Hudson and another footman re-entered the room carrying trays laden with food and a pot of coffee. The haze she had been in while looking at him cleared abruptly with the disturbance, and the momentary spell was broken. Both of them quickly looked away from one another, and Grace busied herself with her teacup.
“May I make you a plate, my lady?” Carrington inquired.
“Please, I would appreciate it,” she replied. “I’m not a picky eater, so anything you think looks best . . . Although the quiche Hudson mentioned does sound good, and a croissant with preserves would not be amiss either,” Grace said with laughter lurking in her eyes, Carrington smiling as he took in each amendment.
After returning to the table, food now piled before them, Henry repositioned his chair so he was facing Grace.
“I think you are quite remarkable, Lady Harcourt. What I have observed and learned of you in the past few days reinforces my initial good impression. I know you hope to secure your future, and I would like to help you. I think you should marry me.”
CHAPTER14
Silence filled the room, followed by the clatter of a fork.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” Grace whispered, eyes wide in shock. She leaned backward and desperately clutched onto the napkin in her lap, as if she were somehow lost and it was the only thing tethering her to reality. He recaptured her gaze, searching for any clue as to what she was thinking. Just then, the first of the other guests entered the room, interrupting their privacy.
“I’m sorry,” he said, cringing at both the intrusion and his bluntness. “This was not the best moment to bring up such a matter. Why don’t we continue our conversation on a walk after breakfast?”
“Yes . . . yes that would be fine,” Grace stuttered, staring down at her plate. When another guest wished them both a good morning, she gathered herself enough to respond in kind.
Henry sighed and picked up his fork. He could kick himself for blurting his thoughts out so bluntly and at such an inopportune time. Grace had seemed quite shocked by his proclamation, and he wanted to make it through the meal as quickly as possible so that they might resume their conversation. He forced himself to make small talk with those around him as the room began to fill with other guests. Grace remained distracted, only picking at her food, and Carrington waited as she finished her meal. The minutes ticking by would be the death of him.
Finally, when he could take it no longer, he pushed back from the table while apologizing to the others still seated. “If you would all please excuse me, Lady Harcourt and I were going to take a walk about the grounds to settle all this food, as it is such a nice morning,” Henry explained. He looked over at Grace, her head downcast. Undaunted, he reached his hand out to her.
“That sounds lovely,” Mr. Stanhope interjected, angling for an invitation. When one was not forthcoming, he tentatively asked, “Might I join you?” Henry sent daggers Stanhope’s way.
At his question, Grace’s head snapped up. “Oh, um . . . actually,” she said, “there is a private matter I need His Grace for. Maybe we can take a walk later?” Henry admired how graciously she responded while obviously caught off guard. Even though he looked disappointed, Stanhope acquiesced, wishing to appease her.
Grace accepted Henry’s outreached hand as she stood up, and they exited the room, her body stiffening. Not until they had put quite a distance between themselves and the house did she break the silence. Stopping abruptly, she turned toward him, not releasing her grip on his arm. “I apologize for speaking bluntly, Your Grace, but what on earth are you playing at?” she said, not able to hold the words in a moment longer. “Are you mocking me?”
“I can assure you I’m not playing at anything. I asked you to marry me in earnest,” Henry said.
“I understand that by nature you feel the need to help those around you, but this is too much. I am not seeking a husband. But even if I were, I do not wish for anyone to marry me out of a misguided sense of duty or, even worse, pity.”
“My lady, I assure you I do not pity you, nor do I ask out of duty. I genuinely believe we can help one another. May I explain?” he entreated.
Grace held his gaze in search of the truth. She finally nodded in acceptance, and he led her over to a nearby bench sheltered by a thick hedge.
“I’m sorry for how I phrased my earlier proposition,” Henry began, “but I stand by it. I believe we can help one another. It would not just be me helping you,” he emphasized, wanting her to understand he was not just doing her a favor as she had intimated.
“What do you mean? How would I be able to help you?” she asked with her lovely brow creased in confusion.
