He shook his head. “So she’s repeated often enough.”
“Are you certain you love her? I gather you’re more accustomed to easy conquests. It could simply be the novelty of a woman who says no.”
“I am positive that I love her, nor have I ever had such illusions before. She is the first.” Aside from Darington’s daughter, but that was love of a dream. He stretched his legs out before him. “She is all elegance and beauty, but inside she has spirit. She pretends to be above everyone, even other nobles, but she dresses as a widow and feeds the poor in the worst slum of London. Apparently, she also breaks into attorney’s offices. What is there not to love about a woman like that?”
Grace eyed him for a long moment. “Lady Edith says you’re a good man. She says it’s a wonder how much of your mother she sees in you, since you only knew her until you were four.”
William looked down at his hands. “Lady Edith compliments me. My mother was a wonderful woman.”
“She went mad, or so people say.”
He clenched his jaw over a rejoinder. He drew in a steadying breath. “People say much that isn’t true.”
“Aye. They do, at that.” She nodded, as if making up her mind. “You’re here to see Lanora.”
“I am. I wasn’t permitted in. I came around back to attempt bribing a servant to tell me where she will be next.”
“Not very noble of you.”
“I don’t claim to be noble. I claim to be in love.” Each time he said it, it became more real, hurt more. The only way to salve that pain was to have Lanora in his arms.
“You wouldn’t have had any luck. We all love her like family. We are family. My mum, the duke’s housekeeper on his country estate, raised Lanora right alongside me. Before you can be sure you love her, you should know that.” Grace’s tone was earnest. “At home, we all take our meals together in the kitchen. She gardens, and she usually helps me with the peas. She goes to country dances. She’s not like other ladies. If that’s not what you want, you won’t be happy with her.”
William closed his eyes. It sounded like heaven. It was how Darington described his daughter. Kind to the very center of her being. Noble of heart. Knowing people for who they truly were, not what title they held. Not embarrassed of Grace, then. Afraid of his judgement, as he was of hers. Perhaps, even, a woman who could know his truth.
“I must speak with her. Please, let me see her.”
“She’s truly not in. She went for a ride in the park.”
William shot to his feet, pain coursing through his side. “A ride in the park? Who dared ask her?” He glared down at Grace. From the corner of his eye, he caught a reproachful look from the dog who’d settled near his toes.
Grace was slack jawed for a brief moment, then a smile spread across her face. “Lady Edith. She’s riding with her aunt.”
“Ah, my apologies. I thought…” William tugged at his cravat. It was obvious what he thought. There was no reason to say aloud that his mind had instantly conjured an image of Lanora in the flower garden with another man.
Grace stood, her eyes sympathetic. “Go home for now, my lord. Give me this evening to speak with her. I promise, she’ll be in when you call tomorrow.”
“You’ll champion my cause?”
“I believe I will.” Grace’s smile widened to reveal dimples. “And with me on your side, you can’t help but prevail.”
