William frowned. ‘To see you for my own sake instead of my brother’s,’ he said with a burst of passion.
‘I…oh… Lord Voss,’ sputtered Grace.
‘Perhaps tomorrow?’ he offered. ‘We can go for another walk. And please call me, William. Now, you wouldn’t send a poor soldier off to war without granting him this small kindness, would you?’ he said, with a twinkle in his eye.
‘That is not fair, and I sincerely hope I am wrong about the war,’ said Grace. ‘But I suppose there is no harm in another walk.’
‘Excellent. I will send my card to your Uncle.’
He smiled broadly at her, bowed to Mrs. Talbot, and then hurried away.
‘What a smart young gentleman, Miss, and with such fine manners,’ said the housekeeper. ‘And though he is not a dandy, he is pleasing enough to look at, wouldn’t you say?’
‘Yes, pleasing indeed. Now, let us take a turn once about the lake. I have a great need for fresh air and exercise this morning.’
‘Yes, Miss. It will be good to work off all the excitement,’ said Mrs. Talbot, with a sideways glance at Grace. ‘Though not too far, for you look a little flushed. I do hope you are not coming down with something.’
***
When she returned home, Uncle Charles awaited Grace in the parlour, sporting an eager grin. He was sipping tea noisily and indulging in a plate of little cakes. He was also in possession of a vast basket of fruit.
‘For you, my dear, from Viscount Voss,’ he beamed.
‘How did he arrange that so quickly? He left me but an hour ago. And how shall I eat all this?’
‘It is not meant to be eaten. It is meant to display his wealth and status. That young man is from a great family indeed, an Earl’s son, no less, and he is smitten with you, I can tell. He already sent word that he will call tomorrow.’
Grace’s heart thudded in her chest. ‘You said Mr. Sharp might call soon.’
‘Well, we need not rush the matter,’ said her uncle nonchalantly. ‘Not when we have a bigger fish on the hook. And we must reel this one in ever so carefully.’ He paced. ‘But what to do about Sharp? Should I put him off or encourage him to visit so that their paths cross. A young man will always pursue a lady when she is sought by another.’
‘You cannot be in earnest. I barely know these men, and I do not want to entertain either of them.’
‘Aye, but you will. We will favour Viscount Voss over Sharp, and you must be gracious when he visits.’ Uncle Charles rubbed his hands together with glee. ‘He must be keen if he is to call tomorrow. Now hear me, Grace. You must be biddable, modest and even-tempered to leave him longing for more of your company. Say little, keep your opinions to yourself and smile a great deal, compliment the young man profusely. One so young is bound to be impulsive. He will soon be prostrate with love for you. An excellent station in life is within your grasp, niece, so you must secure his love at once.’
‘But I am unsure of his motives. And as to love, he barely knows me.’
‘No matter.’
‘But I did not seek his affection. I want to marry a man who truly loves me, Uncle.’
‘Love? You have no understanding of such matters. No one of any elevation marries for love, you fool. A man seeks a pretty face and a fortune from good, child-bearing stock. For a lady, fortune alone will do, and that is the only impulse for marriage. Yes, fortune, that is what you must seek, and soon. I give you until the end of the week, and if William Voss has not fallen in love with you, then you will get on your knees, aye, that will make a pretty picture, and beg Lord Sharp to take you.’
‘But William Voss is for the army and perhaps leaving to face the French, and then what will become of him. The newspapers all say that Napoleon is still a threat.’
‘Nonsense. The Duke of Wellington will put that wretch in this place.’
‘Not easily. They say Napoleon is the greatest military mind of his generation.’
‘Do not flap your lips about issues beyond a woman’s understanding. How can your feeble mind wrap itself around strategy and ordnance? Do you even know the meaning of such things?’
‘Do you?’thought Grace, but instead, she said, ‘Forgive me, Uncle. I spoke out of turn.’
Her uncle banged his teacup down with a clatter of impatience. ‘Ring for fresh tea, Grace. This bilge is intolerable,’ he said.
How could her uncle be so vain, fussy and utterly selfish? He had no understanding of women whatsoever. Grace wanted to scream, for it was so wearing, this constant appeasement of men.
She left the parlour in disgust before she said something she regretted, rushing to the sanctuary of her bed and sinking backwards onto the silk coverlet. The room was grand, with mahogany furniture and a huge gilt mirror above the fireplace. The furnishings were in the French style - striped silks, damask curtains. Money was no object to Uncle Charles, and he could easily support an orphaned niece, but he was too miserly and cruel to do so. She was so lowly that if he cast her off, no one would miss her, for she had no friends in London save Harriet.
