A Lesson in Pride (25 page)

Persephone smiled. “Not at all, my lady. I am most surprised to see my father still home at this time of day. He rises so early so he can get to his office.”

Malcolm rose and gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek. “Lady Essex wanted to speak to me about a personal matter.” Checking his watch, he uttered, “Oh, my, it is late. Please excuse me, Ally, but I must be off.”

“I'm sorry to have made you late, Malcolm. Thank you for your help. I will contact my brother and let him know what he must do.”

Nodding, Malcolm left. Persephone came over and took the seat next to Ginny. Sensing that the girl wanted to chat, Ginny remained in her seat.

“Would you like to take a walk in the garden, my lady?” Persephone asked while speaking to her lap.

“Certainly. Was there something you wanted to talk about?” she asked as the pair made their way to the garden.

Persephone was quiet until they were outside. Then she opened up. “Have you ever been in love, my lady?”

Whoosh! Ginny wasn't expecting that, but maybe it was a good thing. “Yes and no.”

Lifting an eyebrow, Persephone waited for her to elaborate.

“I thought I was once, but I realized that it was probably more of an infatuation.”

“Was it with Lord Grant?”

Whoosh, again! It was better that Ginny learn not to underestimate someone, but goodness she was being sucker punched.

“Yes,” she answered honestly. “I've known Grant since I was very young. He was always kind to me, especially when my own father was not.”

“That sounds like love to me.”

There it was. The eighteen-year-old girl who was to marry her lover. The idealist, the dreamer who'd wrapped herself in rainbows and unicorns. For a moment, Ginny remembered those years. Where she would dot her I's with hearts and imagine just about every boy as her husband. Some would be romantic; others would be annoying.

“Well, it's not, Persephone. I assure you that you have nothing to fear from me.”

“I would not want him if I thought you really did.”

Ginny stopped and waited for her to turn around. Looking her in the eye, she stated unequivocally, “I do not want Lord Grant. He is a good friend, but only a friend.”

She looked away first. “Oh.”

They continued walking through the garden. So much meaning behind that single syllable word: oh. Was she disappointed that Ginny didn't want him? Did she not believe in Ginny's sincerity? If she had been Alysanne, she would have never asked. But Ginny wasn't Alysanne.

“What are you worried about, Persephone?”

“He is only marrying me for my dowry. My parents approve because it will heighten them in society's eyes. No one has ever asked me what I wish.”

“What do you wish?”

“To love the man I marry. It had never seemed like such an impossibility to me, but maybe it is.”

“Have you spoken to your parents?” Ginny asked casually, but finding that she was intensely interested in this line of questioning.

“Of course. They tell me it will all be fine. That I will grow to love him. What if I can never love him? Or worse, what if I can never respect him?”

For one fleeting moment, Ginny wondered if Persephone wasn't exactly who she said she was. Could she be some other person stuck in the body of a romance novel heroine? She definitely didn't sound like some pie-in-the- sky eighteen-year-old now. Shaking her head, Ginny dispelled the thought. It was hard enough keeping up with the story without adding more crap to it.

“Have you tried to get to know him?”

“What do you mean?”

Before Ginny could answer, the girls sat on a stone bench in the back of the large garden. The day was cool, but the sun was shining. There wasn't much in the way of blooms so early in the spring, but it was nice to be outside.

“You are engaged, but that doesn't mean you can't demand a courtship. Go for rides, invite him to tea, walk in the park. Spend time with him before you get all gloomy over marrying him. Maybe he will be someone you could fall in love with.”

“Maybe,” she answered, sounding anything but sure.

“You have nothing to lose, Persephone. Your father built an empire from the humblest beginnings. I think you can take the time to get to know the man you're going to marry.”

Hadn't she had this same conversation with Grant when he'd complained about having to marry Persephone? It was becoming more obvious that Ginny's role in this novel was to be the advice columnist. She was given problem after problem and she was taxed with providing sage advice.

“I should be more mature about all this,” Persephone conceded. “I would just want someone who wants me, not my father's money.”

“I do think it's absurd that people think you can buy a better husband, but that is what your parents think. If it's any consolation, I know they wouldn't abandon you if you wanted to come home.”

Persephone nodded and smiled. Ginny was just about to excuse herself when the girl spoke up once again.

“Why have you not married him, my lady?”

Though asked in a kindly voice, the question was still ripe with impertinence. There was no good way to answer it in any case. Ginny decided to brazen it out.

“What makes you think I want to marry him?”

“I see the way he looks at you. It is the way I always imagined my husband looking at me.”

Damn, damn, damn! What now? Miss Persephone Horton was not only more perceptive than Ginny thought, but she was not so shy about showing her hand. The girl knew that Grant had feelings for her. There would be no easy way to convince her otherwise. She could tell her about the service that Grant did her the previous year after Drake had keeled over in her bedroom. Maybe not. That left her being honest. At least a little.

“Grant can't marry me because we would be poor. His father plans to cut him off the second Grant's older brother produces an heir. And if I marry again, I will be cut off from my inheritance.”

“I see,” she said, looking away toward the house.

“Yes, I think you do. All we have left is a friendship. It will never be more than that.”

“To you, perhaps. To him? I doubt I will ever be sure.”

Ginny released a deep breath. How had she gotten herself involved with this? She wasn't about to give Persephone a bunch of empty platitudes. All she could do was reiterate their earlier conversation.

“Get to know him, Persephone. Let him get to know you. Then see what happens.”

Persephone conceded, “Yes. I think that is the best plan.”

Ginny stood and they began walking back to the house. She kept her mouth shut, not wanting to start any new lines of inquiry. Hoping to escape without any further questions, Ginny stiffened when Persephone spoke once again.

“I know you would never betray me, my lady. I thank you for that.”

Humbled by Persephone's confidence in her character, Ginny nodded and left the home. Betray her? No, she wouldn't do that. Ginny couldn't think of anyone she would knowingly do that to. That would mean that the occasional kisses from Grant would have to stop. It was high time that man grew up anyway. Grew up and got to know his fiancée.

Chapter 32

By the time Ginny arrived home, she realized that she had no way of finding out where Alysanne's brother was or how to contact him. Having gone to so much trouble, she didn't want to let this opportunity go to waste, especially if it meant a better life for Robert. The man was just as much a product of the inconsistent upbringing as Alysanne. It was only fair that he be given a chance to make things right.

There was only one person she could ask for help and she was loathe to do it. Grant could make discreet inquiries for her. He might even be able to get to the bottom of whether or not Nigel was really sick, though Ginny suspected that the story was untrue. After vowing to push Persephone and Grant together more, she hated having to contact him and ask a favor. Choosing the lesser of two evils, Ginny decided to use Grant's help rather than losing Malcolm's help with Robert.

She sent off a quick message and went in search of her stepdaughters. When they weren't in the usual places, Ginny asked the housekeeper.

“Oh, my lady, they left a bit ago to do some shopping. They said that they would return shortly.”

Ginny had learned that “shortly” in this day and age usually meant hours. Thanking Mrs. Smith, Ginny ordered a tea tray and sat down to read. In the sunny small parlor, Ginny made herself comfortable by the fire.

It couldn't have been more than a half hour when Ginny heard voices in the hallway. She looked up just in time to see the door open and Grant walk in. Mr. Frommer stood stoically by the door, though Ginny suspected he was put out by Grant's forceful entry.

“Would you care for more tea, my lady?” he asked, always the epitome of dignity.

“Thank you, Mr. Frommer,” she responded with a smile.

Grant waited until the butler retreated and then closed the door. He came over and took a seat across from her. Relieved that he wasn't going to try and kiss her again, Ginny put her book down and stated, “That was quick.”

“It is not as though I have much to occupy myself, Alysanne. Why do you need to find your brother?”

Had Ginny mentioned that she'd seen him at the theater? She guessed not since Grant was so surprised by her request.

“Robert came to see me at the theater the other night. I bumped into him after seeing...” Oops, she hadn't meant to mention Lord Hood. She definitely didn't want to open that can of worms at the moment.

Waving her hand airily, she continued, “Anyway, he asked for some money saying that our father was sick. I have no idea if he was being honest, but I did offer to speak to Malcolm on his behalf. I thought if I could get him some gainful employment, he might be able to break the hold that Nigel has over him.”

“Malcolm?” he asked incredulously.

Ginny did have a tendency to become familiar with people quickly. She could still remember her stepdaughters gawking at her when she first met them. She probably shouldn't be so forward, but she simply didn't know another way to be.

“Yes, Malcolm. We have become friends and I really like him. He's agreed to help me, for which I am very grateful.” Ginny would have stopped there, but she didn't. Later, she would wish she had. “By the way, what have you done to get to know Persephone better?”

Her question was met with both silence and a lot of blinking. She waited patiently, refusing to speak again until he gave her some sort of response.

“I have done nothing, Alysanne and you damn well know it.”

“Why?” she asked, sounding like an inquisitive three year old.

“You know why. I have no interest in her. I can never have any interest in her when you are right here in front of me.”

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Ginny uttered through clenched teeth, “Shall we beat this dead horse a little more, Grant? Or is it time to move on?”

“Is that what you have done? Is Lord Hood your way of moving on?”

Geez, she hadn't even kissed the man yet. He was just someone nice to look at for the time being. But did she want him to know that? Hell, no. Let him stew in her desire for another man. Let him feel what it was like to pine for an unattainable person. God, she was petty.

“He is a friend and not much of one at that. We only just met. Nothing has happened between us except for conversation and a few sips from his flask. He has nothing to do with this. You have no wish to earn your living and I have no desire to be poor.”

There was a time not long ago that she was chasing after him. Of course, it was mostly Alysanne's childish desires, but it was also her need to have the story be over so she could move on. She liked Grant. He was a nice enough guy and not at all hard on her eyes, but he was also unavailable. She had moved on, hoping to finish things. Why couldn't he?

Grant was looking away toward the window. Finally, he responded, “I will see if I can find Robert. If I am successful, what do you wish for me to do?”

“Could you could set up a meeting? He is welcome to come here as long as he comes alone. I will not admit him if he brings our father.”

There was a knock at the door and a maid brought in a fresh pot of tea. Before leaving, the maid poured Grant a cup and offered one to Ginny. Shaking her head, the maid walked out, careful to close the door behind her.

“I think it wise to keep Nigel far away. That man will only cause trouble.”

Ginny nodded her agreement. It was the problem she'd been waiting for since returning to London. She couldn't imagine Nigel leaving her be. She often wondered why he'd not bothered her already. Regardless, Ginny had enough on her plate at the moment.

“I spoke with Persephone today.” Ginny watched his face closely to see his reaction. He merely took a sip from his cup.

“It seems that she is just as reticent of marriage as you.”

“How so?”

Ginny almost smiled at his bored tone. She knew he was a little interested.

“She knows you are marrying her only for her money and that her parents condone it for the ability to social climb.”