Leading Grace out to the garden, Henry stopped when they reached a rosebush.
“What is this?” she asked, “these roses weren’t here before.”
“No, we didn’t have any roses in the garden here at the manor, so I asked our gardener to plant some. I wanted to make sure you had a place you could come when you were tired, worried, or happy, so you could always smell the scent that you love the most. I hope they can bring you peace and joy, or whatever you might need in that moment.” He looked at her fondly as she leaned over and took a deep sniff of one of the fully opened, cream-colored roses. She had become so precious to him, and he didn’t know why he hadn’t recognized sooner that his feelings had grown from deep affection to love.
“Thank you,” she said, straightening up and placing her hand in the crook of his arm. “Henry, when did you ask the gardener to find the roses?”
“As soon as we arrived back here at the manor and I realized none were included in the garden. Why do you ask?”
“It’s just a very thoughtful and romantic gesture. I’ve been wondering how long your feelings for me have grown past those of a marriage of convenience.” Holding up a rose, she said, “This shows we may have been fooling ourselves from the beginning.”
“I may have been a bit of a fool who didn’t realize I had fallen in love with you until last night, but from the moment I proposed we marry to help one another, I always felt affection for you.” Henry had always struggled to find the right words to express how he felt, but he wanted her to know that she mattered. He had tried to show her with gestures, and it seemed the roses were working, but he needed to find the words as well. He began to guide her down the garden path so they could walk and take in the air.
“I had a long talk with my aunt last night, and she apologized for making things more difficult for us by trying to help in such an unstraightforward manner. She really has come to care for you, and she only challenged you so much because she wanted to help you claim your confidence.”
“She explained some of that to me this morning,” Grace said. “I do appreciate she was trying to help, but I really do wish she had gone about it another way.”
Henry smiled at her diplomatic answer. “Yes. I think all involved believe that. Poor Lord Camden most especially.”
“Thank you for so firmly putting your support behind me with the staff this morning.” She paused for a moment, and he could see she was gathering her thoughts. Continuing to walk again, he realized that silences never felt uncomfortable with her and he had no urge to fill the gap in conversation. “I’ve always thought that women are just as strong as men, only in different ways. For a long time, I was denied my own agency, and when I had the chance to start fresh here, I wanted to be able to show what I was capable of and do it on my own. I think part of my frustration recently has been because I felt I wasn’t able to handle things independently, and I resented things might be easier if you were to step in and advocate on my behalf.”
Henry could tell it was hard for her to make that admission. “Grace, I never for a moment thought you were not qualified to do everything you wished to. I’m sorry I did not stand up for you sooner, but only because I think it might have made things easier if everyone knew we were a team, not because I don’t think you are capable. Aunt Hester helped me understand last night that I might have been too hasty to disregard some of your concerns and that we can work to overcome any challenges together.”
“I’m sorry that I couldn’t see past my own fears to recognize that we could strengthen each other,” she said. “You truly see me, Henry. Knowing that you understand who I am and choose me anyway, even with all my faults, makes me feel more powerful than I ever would be alone.” Grace stopped walking and turned toward him. Lifting her hands to cup his face, she raised up on her toes and pulled him in for a kiss.
“I love you, Henry. Thank you for everything. I’ve felt lost for a very long time, needing to hide to protect myself. But your belief in me has helped me to find my true self again. The security and love you provide me make me feel safe enough to explore what truly matters to me again.”
Overcome by her words, he gathered her in his arms and showed her how treasured she was with another kiss. He intended to be gentle, but his desire for her was overwhelming and the kiss became ravenous. He was heartened by the fact that Grace was attacking him with an equal amount of fervor. He couldn’t stop his hands from running over her body and pulled her in as close as possible. The need to consume her was irresistible, and he wasn’t sure he could hold himself back if she didn’t stop him.
Finally, the need for air outweighed anything else and they separated with a gasp. Still clinging to him, as if she wasn’t sure she could support herself, Grace suggested maybe they should head back toward the house. “I’m not sure a ravishing in the garden is the best place for us to come together again,” she said with a glint in her eye. Henry did not need to be told twice, and they turned around and set off for the manor.
“When will your aunt be moving to the Dower House?” Grace asked, a welcome distraction so he could try and calm himself from the earlier inferno they had created. “That announcement was quite a surprise this morning.”
“Soon,” he reassured her. “I should have asked her to transition there as soon as she arrived back, but I thought I would need her around to help me gain confidence in my role. I struggle when I am not able to do things well, and I felt I needed her until I was comfortable as the duke. I didn’t think about how that might make things awkward for both of you as you adjusted to new roles and positions. I was so concerned about you feeling confident in taking over the house that I failed to realize it may be hard for her to let go as well. It was actually her idea last night that she should make the move sooner rather than later.”
“And Standish?” Grace asked.
“I had a talk with him early this morning and he apologized for continuing to regard the dowager as mistress of the house. Knowing he was close to my aunt, I proposed he move to the Dower House with her, and he happily agreed.”
“I’ll have to thank your aunt,” she said. “It seems like things just might work out after all.”
* * *
When they returned to the house, Grace’s plans to fully reconnect with her husband were upended when they found things in an uproar. Lord Camden was now awake and, though perfectly recovered, was raging about how he had been intentionally poisoned the night before.
“This is an absolute disgrace, and I will not submit to being treated with such disrespect! Where is His Grace? I demand to speak to him at once!” They followed the sounds of his diatribe to the front hallway, where they saw Camden perched on the stairs, screaming at a stoic Standish.
Noticing they had come back, Standish addressed them. “Ah, Your Grace,” he said with a bow.
“It seems Lord Camden wishes to have a word with you.”
“Yes, my lord?” Henry said with a straight face as he turned toward a sputtering Camden.
“I have never been treated with such disrespect in my life!” Camden repeated, purple with feigned rage. “What do you have to say for yourself, and how do you plan to make this up to me?” Once again, he made his plan to try and gain the favor of a duke perfectly plain with his statement. Grace and Henry, however, now a united front, would not be easily swayed.
“I do sincerely apologize, my lord,” Grace said with a smile, trying to appeal to his vanity. “I’m afraid there was a mix up with the meal last night. I was aware of your sensitivity to nuts, so I had asked our cook to prepare the fish with lemon sauce. Apparently, when she did not have enough lemons for the preparation, she sought out a solution by changing to the preparation with almonds. I was not aware of the change, so I was unable to stop it from being served. I can assure you that it was an unfortunate mistake. Please do accept my apology.”
“Your apology means nothing,” Camden shouted. “What kind of a duchess are you if you don’t even know what is going on in your own household?” Where once such a statement would have stung, Grace had renewed confidence in her position with Henry by her side, as he squeezed her hand in silent support, allowing her to take the lead.
