She was about to stomp off, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him, forcing her to look at his face once again. Her heart felt as though it would burst through her chest at any moment.
‘How tempted are you?’ he asked, narrowing his eyes and cocking an eyebrow. ‘I thought the other day you were voicing just how distasteful you found London gentlemen who kept mistresses. What if I were to tell you that I have no mistresses? Would that be a comfort to you?’
She broke free from his grasp.
‘It would make no difference to me what you did with your life, Your Grace,’ she said, the last two words laced with as much contempt as she could muster. ‘I wish you the best with your life and hope you find someone to marry who will put up with your atrociousness. I wash my hands of you, sir!’
She twirled around again to make for the door.
‘Grace, I need...’
He stepped in front of her, blocking her retreat, and was about to pull her into an embrace when a loud knock on the door sounded, and Lady Elizabeth walked in.
Grace withdrew quickly, turning her back towards Lady Elizabeth, not wanting to draw attention to her blotchy face. Hastily, she wiped away her tears. The Duke frowned, displeased at the interruption.
Lady Elizabeth’s eyebrows were raised, and a small smile twitched at her lips, but she did not comment on theirtête-à-tête.
‘I am sorry, Gabriel, Grace, for interrupting your, er... reading, but I simply cannot tolerate the moroseness that has settled over this house. It has been a week since Edward was arrested, and I am fed up with all the tittle-tattle. Why Mrs Jefferson must pry and ask Jane and me inappropriate questions is beyond me—it was the last straw. I lost my temper with the lady, and I do not regret it.’
‘Miss Skye has decided to return to her home. She is feeling homesick.’
Lady Elizabeth visibly paled.
‘You cannot mean it, Grace. You have been such a comfort to all of us. I would not be able to get through all this without you. Gabriel, you must contrive a way to keep her here,’ she pleaded.
‘I was trying to do so, Eliza, but she has given me a good idea. Perhaps a couple of weeks at our country Estate would do the trick. We can escape all the gossip and unpleasantness, and Miss Skye can enjoy a little countryside air. We shall return once the season is in full swing for Miss Heather. Hopefully, by then, all the incessant gossiping will have died down, and thetonmight find another scandal to latch onto.’
‘Capital idea, brother! I knew you would find a solution. What say you, Grace? Perhaps we could visit the famous Skye Manor too whilst we are at it. You have mentioned it so many times—I feel as though I have a connection to the place myself.’
Grace was cornered.
‘I... I... of course, Lady Elizabeth, I would be honoured if you visited.’
‘It is settled then. I shall make the arrangements,’ said the Duke with a triumphant smile. Grace could only concede to his high-handedness. She did not have the heart to refuse Lady Elizabeth.
‘We should celebrate our quick thinking and arrange a picnic, Eliza! How about tomorrow?’ he suggested, his tone filled with excitement.
Grace’s temper flared internally, but she managed a grimace.
The Duke, ever aware, flashed another bright, almost maddening smile.
‘I know! We could visit Vauxhall Gardens—it will be delightful!’ cried Lady Elizabeth, launching into a frenzy of ideas about the impromptu country visit.
Grace quietly excused herself, slipping away from their whirlwind.
THE IDEA OF A PICNICwas an undeniable success, much to Grace’s chagrin.
‘Yes,’ agreed Lady Jane, her voice laced with contentment. ‘We could all do with something to lift our spirits. How about it, my love?’ She turned adoringly towards Lord Gerrard.
The couple wished for a long, peaceful curricle ride together.
‘Perhaps we should invite Harry,’ Lady Jane continued. ‘It was not his fault that his brother betrayed us all like that.’
The ladies, deeply sympathetic, rallied around Lord Harry, who had been in a profound state of depression since the revelations. Lady Elizabeth, especially, could not bring herself to shun him for his brother’s sins. She had been the first to invite him for tea, but when he resisted, she went out of her way to visithim and persuade him to attend the picnic. After much cajoling and pleading, Lord Harry finally agreed to join them.
The day was as beautiful as promised. Lady Jane and Lord Gerrard took their phaeton as expected, while Mrs Merriweather and the Skye sisters opted for one coach. Lord Harry and Lady Elizabeth travelled in another. The Duke had been called away to town on urgent business at the last minute and, to Grace’s relief (and slight disappointment), was unable to attend.
Upon arrival at Vauxhall Gardens, which consisted of several acres of trees and shrubs with attractive walks, they found an opening perfect for picnicking, and the servants set everything up. The chosen spot, beneath a grand oak tree, was utterly charming.
