Intimate Deception (26 page)

“It’s all right, Grace.” Vincent pulled her into his arms. “Genevieve has made a place for herself and is content with it. I am glad she was there to help you. I owe her a great debt.”

Grace looked up just as his lips came down on hers. Their kiss was warm and tender and destined to turn into something much more intense. Regretfully, Vincent’s ardor was interrupted when Carver knocked on the door.

“The Duchess of Biltmore and the Ladies Pratts and Franklin have come to call, Your Graces. And Mr. Kevin Germaine. Are you in?”

Vincent looked at her and smiled, then said, “Yes, Carver. We’re in.”

Grace tried to hide her flushed cheeks from their butler. There was almost a grin on his face. This was not the first time he’d caught them in an embarrassing display of affection.

“Please, show them to the morning room,” Vincent said with a hint of laughter in his voice. “We’ll be right there.”

“Come, my dear,” he said, helping her to her feet. “We’d best see to our guests before they think they interrupted us at something more serious than a simple kiss.”

Vincent led his wife to the morning room. They stopped outside the door and Grace instructed Carver to have Emily serve tea and pastries as soon as possible. Raeborn was glad. The pause afforded him time to resurrect the role he’d played before he married—that of a suitor enamored of the woman he’d chosen to court.

Except, he suddenly realized, playing his role wasn’t at all the way it had been a few weeks ago.

He took a deep breath and lowered his gaze to his wife. Her cheeks were a deep shade of red and her breath shuddered when she released it. She was nervous, and he had to smile. He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them, then nodded to Carver to open the door.

Carver took his cue, and Vincent escorted Grace into the morning room. This was their first time entertaining guests as husband and wife, and it was important that they both appear genuinely happy. He gave their guests a broad smile and led Grace into the room.

He had to stop himself from laughing at the awestruck expressions on the Duchess of Biltmore’s, Lady Pratts’s, and Lady Franklin’s faces. His cousin just looked relieved that someone had arrived to rescue him from three of London’s most renowned gossips.

He and Grace greeted their guests most effusively and accepted their well-wishes with open smiles. Then he made
sure the three ladies took note when his arm reached behind Grace’s waist and he pulled her close. It was important that a closeness in their marriage be acknowledged, that their affection for each other be beyond doubt. The radiant look Grace gave him when he touched her wasn’t lost on their guests.

“I’m so glad you’ve come to call,” Vincent said, looking at all three ladies. “My wife and I have been quite preoccupied accustoming ourselves to the routine of married life. I’m afraid we haven’t been inclined yet to venture out into society.”

Vincent saw the slightest skepticism on the three ladies’ faces and their glances drop to Grace’s waistline. He’d known that would be everyone’s first thought. He’d already convinced himself that what they thought didn’t matter to him in the least.

He smiled at Grace and led her to a comfortable love seat, then sat down beside her.

The women were seated on an oversize settee opposite them, and Germaine sat in a chair to Vincent’s right. Together the six of them formed a neat little circle.

“You have no idea how news of your marriage surprised us,” the duchess said, eyeing Grace as if searching for any sign of reluctance. Perhaps a hint of disappointment.

Vincent cleared his throat. “Yes. We knew the suddenness of our marriage would shock some, and even though Her Grace thought we should wait longer, I’m afraid I was the one who insisted we marry immediately. Wasn’t I?” he said, turning in her direction.

Grace’s cheeks flushed an endearing pink as she looked at him. Then she gave the perfect response by reaching
over to place her hand atop his hand as it rested on his knee and saying, “And I was most wise in agreeing after only a momentary hesitation.”

Their skepticism seemed to melt as the Duchess of Biltmore joined in with the sighs she heard from Lady Pratts and Lady Franklin.

“Oh, here is tea,” Grace said when the door opened and Emily entered with a serving cart laden with tea and cakes and sandwiches. “I’ll pour while you ladies catch us up on all the latest news. And Mr. Germaine, we haven’t let you get a word in edgewise as of yet. I can’t wait to hear what news you have.”

Vincent sat back against the cushion and contentedly listened while Grace conversed with their four guests. Even Germaine seemed to enjoy himself, adding what he knew of the latest happenings.

The afternoon passed perfectly, their guests staying even longer than decorum indicated. In time, though, the Duchess of Biltmore and the Ladies Pratts and Franklin took their leave and only Germaine remained behind.

“I really should be going too,” he said, rising to his feet. “I just wanted to be the first to congratulate you again and to welcome you to our family,” he said, bowing over Grace’s hand. “May I extend my fondest well-wishes.”

“Thank you, Mr. Germaine,” she said with a trembling smile. “You cannot know how much your kindness means to me.”

“And to me,” Vincent added. “Here. Let me walk you out. There are a few items I’d like to discuss with you.”

Germaine left the room with Vincent behind him. They stopped when they came to the door. “I meant it when I
said your wishes meant a great deal to me,” Vincent said seriously. “I was afraid after the conditions and stipulations I put down concerning your spending, your feelings toward me would change.”

“Nonsense,” Germaine said, taking his coat and hat from Carver’s outstretched hands. “You only did what you thought best. I realize that now.”

“My solicitor tells me you’ve done an exemplary job running the Castle Downs estate. That you’ve become a most conscientious landlord and seem to take a remarkable interest in the running of the estate.”

His cousin bowed graciously and hooked his cane over his arm. “I am only trying to live up to your expectations, Raeborn. It’s not easy walking in your shadow.”

“I don’t want you to walk in my shadow, Kevin. Your father would not have wanted that either. He would want you to cast your own shadow, to be the best man you are capable of being. I want the same for you.”

“Thank you, Your Grace. I appreciate your confidence. Now I bid you good day.”

“Thank you for coming.”

“I had a most enjoyable afternoon. You are truly fortunate. Your wife is charming. Even though I was sure you would never marry again, I can see you’ve fit into the role of husband quite well. My congratulations. I am positive that this time you will get the heir you want.”

Vincent stepped back while Carver opened the door and watched his cousin leave. Vincent had worried overmuch about the immaturity of his younger cousin. Now he realized his concerns had been for naught. All the reports from his solicitor had been glowing. Perhaps the boy had
just needed a firm hand all along and Vincent had been too blind to see it.

He walked back to the morning room feeling very good with the way things had turned out. Feeling very good at the excellent way Grace had handled entertaining their guests this afternoon. At her stunning talent at holding three of society’s most notorious gossips at bay. Yes, maybe everything would be all right after all. He’d already discovered it was impossible to keep her from touching his heart. Already found he cared for her much more than he’d intended. And all this in the less than three months it had been since he’d met her.

A smile spread across his face. He couldn’t wait to get back to her.

His smile vanished the minute he walked into the morning room and glanced at Grace’s slumped shoulders and pale complexion.

“Grace!”

He rushed across the room and pulled her into his arms. Her skin was cold and clammy, and she barely had enough strength to hold up her head.

“Vincent?” she said, her voice shaky. A light sheen of perspiration covered her face. “I’m fine. Just warm.”

Vincent held her closer. “I’ll get you to bed and call the doctor.”

“No, Vincent. I’m fine. Please, just sit with me for a moment.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m sure.”

She lifted her face and smiled, but he didn’t believe her attempt was sincere. “Carver,” Vincent ordered, and Carver instantly appeared. “Bring Her Grace a glass of water.”

Carver quickly brought the water, and Vincent made her drink. He held her hand and sat with her until some color returned to her cheeks.

“There,” she said after a while. “I’m much better now.”

“Well enough to move?”

“Yes. I’m fine. Thankfully these spells never last long.”

His heart skipped a beat. “You’ve suffered from this before?”

“Of course. It’s quite common for women in my condition. Mary suffered terribly for the first few months, but Sarah I think was the worst. This is mild in comparison.”

He didn’t believe her. He couldn’t. Memories of the other times returned to haunt him.

“Don’t look so worried, Vincent. I’m fine. Your babe just wants to make certain I don’t forget he’s there. I think he’s going to be a very strong-willed infant.” She looked up at him with a teasing glint in her eyes. “Just like his father.”

“I think I will be most displeased with him for the trouble he is causing his mother and will tell him the minute I meet him.” Vincent struggled to keep his tone light. The panic raging through him was almost more than he could bear.

“Do you know what I’d like, Vincent?”

Vincent held her close, all the while trying to keep his hands from trembling, his heart from racing. “No, Grace. Just ask and it’s yours.”

“I would like to go for a ride.”

Vincent dropped his gaze to hers. She was serious. “Now?” He shook his head. “I don’t think—”

“I would like to ride through Hyde Park with the sun shining down on me and the breeze hitting my face. And you at my side.”

She reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips. He kissed her back.

“Grace, I’m not sure—”

She pressed a fingertip to his lips. “I am suddenly desperate to go out of doors.”

Vincent breathed a heavy sigh. How could he refuse her? “Carver,” he called, and the butler instantly appeared. “Have the carriage brought round.”

Carver’s eyebrows arched.

“See, Grace? Even Carver doesn’t think you should go out.”

“I know. But Carver is by nature a worrier. Aren’t you, Carver?”

“Yes, Your Grace. I do tend to worry overmuch.”

“You and my husband.” She sighed and shook her head. “I will have to do something about that.”

“As you say, Your Grace. I’ll have the carriage brought round and instruct Alice to put extra blankets inside. It is only the beginning of spring, and late afternoons can be quite chilly.”

“Thank you, Carver,” Grace said.

Vincent stood with his arm around his wife’s waist while they waited for the carriage to arrive. His turbulent emotions raged through him like an enemy’s army attacking from all sides.

“You are worrying, Vincent,” she said, leaning into him.

“Only a little, Your Grace.”

He felt her shake in his arms and knew she was laughing at him.

“You do not make a very good liar,” she said, then pulled away from him and looked up. “Do you remember what
I told you, Vincent? I told you I had enough courage for the both of us. Trust me in this. There’s nothing to worry about. I will tell you if there is.”

He brushed the backs of his fingers down her cheek. She was soft and smooth to his touch. “You are a rare find, Grace. I don’t know how you stayed hidden from the world as long as you did.”

“I was waiting for the perfect duke to find me.”

Vincent smiled, then bent down to kiss her. She raised her hand to stop him.

“Oh, no you don’t. Carver will be back any moment and I’ll not have him walk in on us again while we’re kissing. Pretty soon the staff will think that is all we do.”

Vincent laughed. “No, Grace. They already know that is not
all
we do.”

Vincent laughed harder when her cheeks turned crimson red. Then he took her for her ride, knowing he’d lost even more ground in his battle to protect his heart.