Lord Gerrard hesitated but answered, nonetheless. ‘Well, I suppose he was socially awkward at the time. And you know how children can be. I believe he was teased quite a bit.’ He looked sheepish. ‘I may have joined in now and then to fit in.’
All the ladies protested, Lady Jane the most vocal. ‘That is terrible! How could you treat your cousin so ill?’
‘It is all water under the bridge now,’ Gerrard said hastily. ‘Harry knows it was just a lark. He made friends eventually. Besides, he and I are as close as brothers now. Closer than he is with Edward. They do not get along at all.’
The ladies teased him mercilessly until, half an hour later, they found something new to focus on.
Grace had been careful to remain in the background whilst the ladies chose materials for Heather and themselves. But when Heather pointed out a fabric that suited Grace’s colouring, they all pounced on her, insisting she choose something for herself.
She tried to settle on the plainest fabrics, but Lady Elizabeth was a force to be reckoned with. No matter how much Grace protested, she was unable to dissuade her. Even Lord Gerrard, now grateful not to be the subject of teasing, joined in.
By the time they left the shop, Grace was flustered and embarrassed by all the attention. She had no idea which fabrics Lady Elizabeth had chosen for her, and it would be a couple of weeks before the dresses were ready.
The ladies enteredThe Parlour, exhausted but exhilarated from their shopping expedition, and found Lord Harry hadordered them a lovely meal, which ended the day perfectly. However, Grace was frustrated that she did not get an opportunity to slip away and visit a couple of watchmakers she had spotted nearby.
Later in the evening, Grace was glad of a more intimate dinner with just the ladies and Lord Gerrard—since the other gentlemen had dined at the club—Grace took the opportunity to observe him more carefully. He appeared nothing but easy manners and affability, dividing his attention equally among the ladies, as any well-bred gentleman would.
‘I wonder at you not joining the other gentlemen at the club, Gerrard?’ his sister remarked.
He smiled wryly. ‘I wished to spend more time with you ladies, but if you would rather I were elsewhere...’ He trailed off with an exaggerated sigh, looking rather put out.
The ladies were quick to protest, assuring him that his presence was most welcome, and he was soon appeased.
‘I, for one, am grateful for your company, Gerrard,’ Lady Jane said warmly. ‘Since Gareth passed, it has been such a difficult time for all of us. But when the late Lord Armitage died... I do not know how we would have borne it had you not returned from your Grand Tour.’
‘I meant no offence, Gerrard, of course,’ Lady Elizabeth added. ‘We love your company. I only meant that you used to love the club and hated being indoors for too long.’
‘Well, everyone grieves differently, Lady Elizabeth,’ Jane answered for him, giving him a look of sympathy.
Lord Gerrard responded more slowly. ‘Er, yes, of course, as Lady Jane says. I have felt disinclined to socialise much of late.’
‘Poor boy,’ his sister said affectionately, reaching out to ruffle his hair. She recoiled almost instantly. ‘Eugh, Gerrard, you must refrain from putting so much pomade on your hair—it is vile.’ She scrubbed her hands on a nearby napkin.
As they entered the drawing room, Heather suggested a game of cribbage. Lord Gerrard and Lady Jane declined, choosing instead to occupy themselves with books. Grace played one round but soon decided to sit out, preferring to observe the others. The game quickly became lively as Lady Elizabeth and Heather grew increasingly competitive.
After some time, Lady Jane, evidently bored of her book, left to fetch another from the library. Shortly thereafter, Lord Gerrard excused himself, claiming he needed to go to the study to write a letter.
Grace hesitated only a moment before deciding to follow him.
She told herself she was merely being cautious, ensuring there was nothing amiss—but in truth, she was curious. Was he truly going to write a letter? Or was there another reason for his sudden departure?
The others, still engrossed in their game, took no notice as she slipped quietly from the room. As she stepped into the hallway, she was stopped by Holden, the butler.
‘Can I help you, Miss Skye?’ he asked.
Grace took a moment to study him. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with sharp features and intelligent eyes. For a butler, he was relatively young—she guessed he would be in his mid-forties. But then again, she reminded herself, Holden was notreallya butler.
Feigning nonchalance, she replied, ‘Oh, I was just looking for the library.’
She had no intention of letting him suspect her true reason for being out of the drawing room—nor did she wish for him to report back to Lord Armitage that she had beenrecklessly spyingon one of the suspects.
Holden inclined his head. ‘I am afraid, ma’am, the library has not been made ready for use. It has seen little use by the family—unless, of course, His Grace is at home. I can open it for you, but it may take some time to light the candles and get the fire going.’
He was kind enough to offer, but Grace was not about to let him make a fuss over her supposed book-browsing.
‘Goodness, I would not wish to be a nuisance,’ she said lightly. ‘Perhaps I could peruse a section using a candle stick. I am sure Lady Jane must be doing the same.’
Holden frowned slightly. ‘Lady Jane? I do not believe she could have. Only I have the key—well, and His Grace, of course,’ he said as he reached for a set of keys and unlocked the door. ‘The family have been quite careful about securing these rooms, particularly since the late Duke’s passing. You understand, given the... circumstances.’
