Realm 04 - A Touch of Grace (17 page)

Lord Spectre had not released her hand. Gently, he tugged on it to coax Grace to his side. He placed her hand on his arm. Grace’s memory flashed with the nod of familiarity exchanged between Lord Spectre and Geoffrey at the inn and the urgency she had felt to protect Lord Godown. Reluctantly, she permitted his forwardness. “Yet, I feel a more long standing association, Miss Nelson. As if we have been nodding acquaintances.” He set a course along one of the adjoining paths. Grace glanced to her sister and Sir Lesley to encourage them to follow. “Your brother tells me you have been living in Scotland for the past six years. Do you not find the land dangerous? Uncivilized?”

Grace swallowed hard before responding. She meant to control the panic streaming through her veins. Was the man offering her a warning? Or was Lord Spectre looking for information on Lord Godown? Did he know she had posed as Gabriel Crowden’s marquise? “On the contrary, my Lord. Scotland is an ancient land that reflects all that is beautiful in the world.”

“Really?” he said as if he had not anticipated her response, but Grace had noted how his lips mockingly turned up at the corners. “I must make a holiday in our sister nation. Based on your glowing recommendation, I fear I have slighted my education in not doing so.”

Grace pressed for information. If she ever met Lord Godown or any of his close companions again, she would share what little she had learned. “You have never visited Scotland, my Lord?”

“Upon occasion, I have accidentally strayed across the border; yet, I have never partaken of Scottish hospitality. Perhaps,” he paused for emphasis, “I might persuade you to serve as my guide.” He tugged her closer.

Grace bit the inside of her jaw to hide her revulsion. “As I served in an English viscount’s household, my Lord, I am far from being a Scottish expert. Above and beyond, as a governess, I have no standing in society.” Before he could say more, Grace pulled her hand from where it rested on his arm and made a quick curtsy. “If you will excuse me, my Lord, I have duties within the household.” She scurried away, leaving Mercy to her own devices.

Heart racing, she rushed through the passageways to reach the relative safety of her quarters. Lord Spectre’s presence would mean she should leave Foresthill before the fortnight transpired, but where could she stay while she waited to begin her new position? As she collapsed across her bed, Grace knew the kind of fear Mercy had described earlier when her sister had said, “Sometimes I fear for my life.”

“Evidently, Geoffrey has some sort of connection to the attack on Lord Godown, but how could my brother profit from His Lordship’s demise?” she questioned the room’s stillness. For Grace knew absolutely Geoffrey would only act if it benefited him.

*

Like the fool he had become since that fateful day he had encountered Grace Nelson at a Scottish coaching inn, as soon as his feet hit the ground, Gabriel turned his head for one last glimpse of the lady. Later, he would wish he had left well enough alone. That he had kept his memories of Grace Nelson unsoiled. But he had not acted wisely. He looked to her for his sanity. For his completion. And he lost it all.

Two men had joined the trio, and, instinctively, Gabriel reached for the glass once more. His curiosity where Miss Nelson was concerned overruled his reason. The first gentleman held similar features to Miss Nelson. To his Grace. And she was his. He had marked her as his own. The chestnut hair. The high cheekbones. Features Gabriel admired in Miss Nelson took on a soft femininity in the man. Her defiant chin appeared weak on the man who bowed low to the blonde’s elderly suitor. A familial connection, Gabriel thought. A brother, perhaps. Or a cousin.

Then her family stepped aside, and Gabriel’s world tilted. There had to be some mistake. Gabriel pulled the glass from his eye and wiped the lens with a handkerchief. But that action had only confirmed his first assumption. As he held his breath, Gabriel watched with morbid fascination as the man he immediately recognized as his assailant–the man who had nearly killed him–the man from Grace’s sketch–brought Grace’s hand to his lips before drawing her to his side.

“It cannot be,” Gabriel’s denial came immediately. Yet, his eyes knew otherwise. Dressed as a fine gentleman, Gabriel’s attacker poured his attention on Miss Nelson. Had Grace drawn a rendering of her amour? “Did I not once question whether the lady spoke to someone besides Mr. Bradshaw while I lay helpless on the other side of the screen?” Gabriel mulled aloud as he closed the glass and strode purposely toward where Balder waited for him. “I hate mysteries,” he grumbled as he mounted and turned Balder away from the offending image.

Yet, even the miles did nothing to ease Gabriel’s heart. He had placed his complete trust in a woman, and once again, he had been betrayed. A hole opened in his chest, and all the anguish–all the disappointment he had known–all the misery of failing his family–rushed in to fill the space.

Racing from the scene of yet another’s deception, Gabriel rode like a mad man until he realized how he punished his mount. Pulling up gently on the reins, he brought Balder to a halt. “My apologies, Old Boy,” he said as he patted the horse’s neck. “You deserve better.” Gabriel involuntarily glanced in the direction he had come. “And so do I.”

As he had made his way to Gossling Hill, Gabriel reluctantly came to the conclusion he must involve both Shepherd and the Realm in this latest development. He would have to explain to his governmental contact why he had kept information regarding Grace Nelson from the unit, and that particular fact irritated him more than he could say. With the stinging pain that struck his heart every time he thought of the lady’s duplicity, Gabriel did not want to speak to anyone of his Grace. Despite his anger at being made a fool, late into the night, he had stared at the candle’s flame as a draft had caused it to bend and dance to a silent tune, and he had decided to keep the memories of his Grace separate from those of the woman who had flayed his trust open for the world’s scorn.

He would prefer simply to forget the woman existed, but there was the distinct possibility Miss Nelson knew too much about him and his fellow Realm members. In fact, they had inadvertently introduced her to their country’s monarch. Grace Nelson had used her disguise as a simple governess well. She was invisible–the perfect cover for a spy.

“You are deep in thought,” his Aunt Bel’s voice invaded Gabriel’s musings. Arriving on Tuesday, Lía and Lyn would follow them to London. Bel had agreed to accompany Gabriel to Town to assist him in opening the townhouse. Often when he came to London, he would make himself comfortable in a suite of rooms at a hotel or temporary rooms in a bachelor’s establishment. If worst came to worst, he could take rooms at his club, but the Roses had insisted a gentleman, who was seriously considering marriage, should be known by his address. The townhouse would play an essential part in his eventual courtship.

“Just estate matters,” he lied as he unwillingly withdrew his eyes from the passing countryside. He placed a smile to his lips. “I do not know whether I properly thanked you for uprooting your schedule to serve as my hostess at Fugol Hall.”

Bel’s frown lines deepened. “I shall bank your gratitude until I do something horrendous and am in need of forgiveness,” she said evenly. “However, you did not answer my question, Gabriel,” Bel accused.

He smiled easily. His father’s oldest sister was a magnificent woman. If he were able to find someone with Bel’s spirit, God would have given him a second chance at life. “What question would that be?” he said with a smirk.

“The silent one following my comment regarding your musings,” she said with a snit. “Do not play your games with me, Godown. I am the one who taught you the fine art of verbal swordplay.”

He reached across to pat the back of her gloved hand. “That you did, my Dear.”

“Then we shall begin again.” Pause. “Speak to me of what troubles you so.”

The smile faded quickly. “There is nothing to tell. I had dealings with someone who earned my trust, but I erred in my judgment.”

Bel’s mouth set in a tight line. “Is this to do with where your were yesterday?”

“Tantine, some difficulties are of my own making. I am a man now and no longer require your assistance. As such, I will resolve my problems in my own way,” Gabriel warned.

Bel countered, “That does not mean I must enjoy this professed freedom.”

“Absolutely,” Gabriel said gently. “I would expect as much, but you will do what is best for me and my title.”

Silence held between them for several minutes. Finally, his aunt said, “I have asked Mr. Rankin to call on us at eleven on Thursday. If you are to seek a bride, I thought it best if we refamiliarize ourselves with your dear father’s will.

Gabriel’s interest piqued. “Why is that necessary?”

“No reason, but the last correspondence I received from Mr. Rankin relayed a sense of urgency I had not recalled in previous reports. I suspect word has trickled through the gossip lines of your intention to marry. I know Lía and Lyn have heard from several of their acquaintances regarding the truth of the rumors. I am certain Mr. Rankin believes it prudent to make you aware of the estate’s current solvency before marriage settlements are drawn.”

Gabriel felt the noose tightening about his neck. He was actually considering marrying to save his title! “And I suppose my tantes have flamed those rumors,” he said with what he hoped to ring with the calmness he most certainly did not feel.

“You understand the twins’ natures do not speak of privacy. They rarely can maintain a secret, especially one involving your future happiness.”

Gabriel swallowed hard. How could he do this? How could he promise his fidelity to any woman? The two he had thought to trust had intentionally deceived him. “I hope my tantes do not experience disappointment. This is the Short Season, and it has been in full swing for several weeks. We may require a return in the spring in order for me to choose a mate. I will not be rushed into a decision.”

“Of course, not,” Bel assured. “Marriage vows are sacred and not to be taken lightly. A strong affection is essential. We cannot have you giving your heart to a woman upon short acquaintance. That would be a recipe for disaster.”

*

“Crowden!” Carter Lowery called from an open doorway. “I did not expect to see you here: His friend rose to greet him as Gabriel stepped into the small office. Lowery, the second son of Baron Blakehell, had recently been presented a baronetcy by the Regent; yet, Sir Carter had chosen to continue his public service after his release from active duty with the Realm.

Gabriel had been the only one of the seven in his unit who had not spent, at least, a short stint in the military. With his strong French background, military commanders thought it best if he not serve under the English flag. They seemed to believe good, honest Englishmen would not take orders from a man who spoke French better than most Frenchmen. It was another way he was different from those with whom he had served. In fact, Lowery, who was four years his junior, had been a war hero. Gabriel found it a bit intimidating. “I have come for the Short Season.” He extended his hand to his friend. “I thought it best if I make a courtesy call on Shepherd.”

Lowery smiled easily. “Then the rumors of your following in Worthing’s, Thornhill’s, and Yardley’s footsteps are true?”

Gabriel accepted the chair to which Lowery gestured. “Does everyone know my business?” he said grumpily.

“When a man with your reputation places his name on the marriage carousel, Society mamas know,” Lowery said good-naturedly. As his friend sat, he said, “I understand you encountered some difficulties in Scotland.”

Gabriel’s stomach knotted. Although she had scorned him, he wished there was a way to keep Grace’s name from scandal. In fact, he had pleaded with Shepherd to protect Grace’s identity until the investigation was complete. He was not certain whether it was she he wanted to protect or whether he did not wish his friends to know how foolishly he had acted. “It was a close call,” Gabriel said evenly.

Lowery’s gaze settled on him, and Gabriel worked hard to keep his countenance noncommittal. “I am pleased you have healed so quickly.”

“The shoulder is still a bit stiff,” Gabriel said.

“Too stiff to twirl a pretty girl about the dance floor?” Lowery said with a touch of mischief.

Gabriel relaxed into the chair. Lowery did not plan to interrogate him regarding what happened in Scotland. “You have acknowledged the rumors. If I plan to marry, dancing with a pretty girl is part of the courtship.”

Lowery smiled widely. “Then you will join me this evening for the Graham’s ball. An American friend of my brother’s will make her debut tonight, along with Annabel Dryburgh.”

“Why would an American be given a Come Out?” Gabriel curiously inquired. “And what does your brother have to do with the girl?”

“Do not encourage me to speak ill of Lawrence? Just leave it to say he continues to listen to our father, and despite the fact the lady is the Earl of Vaughan’s granddaughter, the Baron has decided Miss Arabella Tilney is not an appropriate match for the next Baron Blakehell.”

Gabriel frowned. Since meeting Grace he had become sensitive to the fate English Society placed on certain young ladies. He had not forgiven Grace Nelson, but he had accepted the fact she had changed him. Had he not practiced deception to learn governmental secrets and to manipulate the downfall of tyrannical leaders? Someone had likely paid Miss Nelson to betray him. She, obviously, needed the money. The lady was without a steady home life or regular employment. Desperation makes strange bedfellows. “Does your brother hold the lady in his affection?”

“I had thought it possible. If you could have seen how jealous Lawrence appeared when others approached the woman, you would have thought their joining inevitable. In fact, I did the lady a disservice. I encouraged Miss Tilney to admit her regard for Lawrence, but my brother has ignored the woman’s honesty.” Lowery transferred stacks of papers to a side table. “Therefore, I have made it my mission to see Miss Tilney has a successful Come Out. Hopefully, I can count you among those to stand up with the lady. I have already recruited Worthing, Shannon, and Yardley to the cause. I will approach Thornhill and Lexford this evening.”