Riding back from York, he’d ignored the wiser option to break his journey for one night at an inn, and by the time he’d reached the small farms and market gardens on the outskirts of London he was exhausted and praying for a second wind. He wasn’t used to his body refusing to do as he bid, and would not give in now. At his rooms, he quickly bathed then rushed to the ballroom to honor his obligations.
It was the urge to see Mercy that drove him, he had to admit, as it had been a week since he left London. She’d filled his thoughts as he traveled back to the city, after dealing with Jenny Haighton’s distress, followed by the concern for his father’s health. And he was keen to improve matters between them.
But then he’d done precisely the opposite, exhibiting a charmless, humorless façade, which wasn’t like him. It wasn’t that he’d been jealous. It was no excuse that he was dog-tired, and had yet to see Black at his club to inform him of the scant knowledge he’d gained. Dash it all! He’d wanted to draw closer to Mercy, not farther away.
Now things were worse between them. He must find her and smooth things over. As he went in search of Mercy, Arabella hurried up to him. “Grant, Mercy is upset. What did you say to her?”
He cursed silently. “Is she? I am sorry for it, Bella. I’ll talk to her. Put it right.”
She placed a hand on his arm. “You are happy to marry Mercy, aren’t you, Grant?”
“I am. I’m just a little saddle weary, having ridden from York. Father and Grandfather send their love.”
She smiled. “Are they both well?”
His concern for his father nagged at him, but he quickly buried it. “Yes, quite well.”
Arabella fidgeted with her fan. “I have something I must confess to you.”
Grant’s gaze roamed the ballroom. He must put things to rights, but he couldn’t locate Mercy in her primrose gown.
When the word ‘confess’ filtered into his mind, he tensed. “A confession?” He eyed Bella, worried and slightly guilty. He’d been too preoccupied of late to take care of her.
“I have not been as helpful to you in your Come Out as I promised, sweetheart. I am sorry. There have been other matters. Although they’re not as important as you are to me, they have demanded my time. You’re not in some sort of trouble?”
“No, Grant. It’s about what happened on the night we went to Vauxhall Gardens.”
He smiled with relief. “Yes?”
“Mercy asked me not to tell you, but I feel I must. Even though it’s too late to…”
He gave her an encouraging smile and took her hand guiding her to a chair. He sat beside her. “Tell me what happened, Bella.”
“Mercy hadn’t gone to see the Chinese Emporium, as she said. Don’t blame her for the falsehood, Grant. She was looking for me.”
He knew Mercy hadn’t been at the Emporium for he’d just come from there when he found her being attacked. He’d believed at the time that she was pursuing a flirtation that turned dangerous. “Why? Where were you?”
“I had accepted a gentleman’s invitation to dance. Afterwards we promenaded in the Grove. It was rash of me, because we’d never been introduced. Perhaps he was not the sort of man you’d approve of, although he was most respectful and…”
He tugged at her gloved hand. “And?”
“It was just that she worried for my safety. When she couldn’t see me on the dance floor, she thought I’d left the Grove. She followed a group of people out onto the avenue. That was when she was accosted.”
So, that was it. He felt inordinately glad to hear it, although he’d already concluded that Mercy was not the foolish green girl he’d first thought her. She often exhibited a good deal of commonsense and wisdom for someone so young. Which was lacking perhaps in his sister. “Your confession pleases me, Bella. I hope you’ve learned a lesson from the experience. It’s a dangerous world you must now negotiate, and you must always tell Aunt Jane the truth. No clandestine meetings with some beau behind her back. Men can be excessively charming when they want something. And a pretty girl like you with a handsome dowry will attract them. Promise me?”
She lowered her lashes and nodded. “I promise, Grant.”
“This incident doesn’t change anything, so we’d best forget it.”
“But if I’d confessed earlier, perhaps you and Mercy would not have….”
He chucked her under the chin. “Sweetheart, hasn’t it occurred to you that something wonderful could come from this?” Grant wished he could feel as confident as he managed to sound.
Her worried face cleared. “Oh, I do hope so.”
Bella was young. It was her first Season. She should be happy, enjoying herself. He rose from the chair, took her arm and walked with her. “Have you met a gentleman who takes your fancy?”
“Well there’s Lord Graham, but I feel Father would not approve of him because he lacks fortune. And there’s Mr. Kingsley…”
