Uncle Charles rose, his belly banging the table with a clatter of cutlery. ‘I have, indeed, a most esteemed gentleman.’
The young man darted a glance at Grace and back to her uncle.
‘So, Viscount Voss, you wish to call on Grace? Upon my word,’ said Uncle Charles, sweeping forward, still clutching his napkin as he extended his hand in greeting.
‘Er…if Miss Howden is amenable, that is, with all the formalities observed. The rain has finally stopped, so perhaps we could all go together and feed the swans. It is but a short stroll to Hyde Park from here, is it not?’
At this, Uncle Charles paused, for he rarely walked nor stirred from the house before noon. ‘I’ve no objection to a walk other than my gout is plaguing me today. I will arrange for my housekeeper, Mrs. Talbot, to accompany you. Grace is a great walker and likes nothing better than to be out of doors.’ He smiled obsequiously at Viscount Voss and then turned to her. ‘Come, Grace, make haste and fetch your coat and bonnet. Do not keep your visitor waiting.’
***
Hyde Park was almost deserted due to the greyness of the inclement weather. It was quiet, too, save for the gurgling of the river and the cawing of waterfowl. Coils of mist floated just above the water’s surface, and the morning seemed muted as if it held its breath.
So did her visitor, for on the ten-minute walk to the river, with the grudging housekeeper, Mrs. Talbot, huffing behind them, Viscount William Fitzroy Voss said barely a word beyond commenting on the beauty of the light in the trees and asking Grace if she was chill, to which she replied, she was not. Indeed, her face was afire with confusion.
Mrs. Talbot was a terrible gossip and had ears like a bat, and Grace could almost feel them straining to catch their conversation. But she had to know why the stranger had lied about meeting her, so she turned to Mrs. Talbot. ‘Why don’t you go to the water’s edge and feed the birds, Mrs. Talbot? We shall not wander too far ahead.’
‘As you like, Miss,’ replied Mrs. Talbot with an impudent grin.
Once she was out of earshot, Grace turned to William Voss. ‘Sir, you must tell me…’
‘A thousand pardons….’
They spoke in unison and then fell silent. ‘I apologise for intruding into your morning,’ he said in a rush. ‘I would have come sooner, but tracking you down took me some time.’
‘Tracking me down?’ said Grace.
His face reddened. ‘An unfortunate turn of phrase, and I swear you are in no jeopardy. I must state my reason for such behaviour if you will allow me. It has to do with my brother, Rawden. You met him at Lady Blanchard’s rout.’
‘Met him!’ she exclaimed. ‘That is one way to put it.’ Grace’s face grew hotter, and she turned away from the memory of the awful Rawden’s hands on her waist, his mouth on hers, hot and hungry, yet exciting and almost pleasing. Shame flooded her chest, and her breath came short.
‘Forgive me. A thousand pardons, Miss Howden. I meant only to beg forgiveness for my brother’s insufferable rudeness. In his defence, Rawden is not himself at present. A family matter weighs heavily upon him, and he had rather over-indulged in punch in order to banish it. I would have apologised at the rout, but you were gone when I returned indoors.’
‘My uncle declared it too hot, and we left, much to my relief, as I had no wish to encounter your brother again.’
‘Yes, he does tend to make quite an impression on people.’
‘He should have apologised to me himself,’ said Grace.
‘But that would entail you seeing him again, an honour which I feel you would rather forgo,’ said William Voss, smiling and laughing a little.’
He was right. Grace could think of nothing worse than looking into those black, knowing eyes again.
‘Besides, my brother rarely apologises,’ continued William. ‘And if it is any consolation, I was almost trampled in the melee whilst I searched all over for you. I am truly sorry for what occurred.’
Grace bridled. ‘And what do you suppose occurred? Did you leap to the worst conclusion?’
‘I concluded that Rawden had over-stepped the mark, as usual. He tends to be a little rough about the edges. Army life can do that to you. He is in the Life Guards, you see, and so he mixes with some rough fellows.’ William Voss smiled broadly, and there was no artifice or bitterness behind his eyes. Grace wanted to trust in his goodness, for he was refreshingly charming after her encounters with men these last few days. He was all gentleness and politeness, where his brother was rough and rude.
‘I only went outside to escape the crush, Lord Voss, and I did not expect your brother to be lurking in the bushes,’ she said.
‘And the bare feet?’ he said with a warm smile. ‘I noticed, you see.’
‘The grass was cool, and it was heavenly relief after the humidity indoors until your brother decided to intrude into my solitude.’
‘If it is not too forward, I can fully understand why he did.’ His eyes met hers flirtatiously, and suddenly, Grace could see the family resemblance.
‘Lord Voss. Please do not say such things.’
