Realm 04 - A Touch of Grace (31 page)

The lady’s hands trembled, but, surprisingly, her voice remained calm. “I am grieved, my Lord. It would have been a brilliant match.”

“Come, Sanders,” Gabriel said as he turned to go, but the lady’s next words froze his steps.

“Miss Melsont,” Lady Brant said coldly. “I expect you to tender your resignation and be prepared to leave on Monday.”

“And what offense, pray tell, has Miss Melsont offered?” he demanded as he towered over his hostess.

The lady’s chin rose in defiance. “This is none of your concern, Lord Godown.”

Gabriel shot a glance to where Grace stood with her gaze averted. “Yet, I feel responsible for your governess’s well being. She has done me a service.”

“At the neglect of her duties,” Lady Brant insisted. Her voice rose in shrill accents.

“I assure you, Ma’am, I saw Victoria and Mary to bed nearly an hour prior,” Grace said softly.

“But you returned to the gallery afterwards,” Lady Brant accused indignantly. “I gave permission for my daughters to partake of a few moments of the splendor, but I did not mean for you to disregard your duties.”

Gabriel interjected, “I have explained how I sought Miss Melsont’s assistance.”

Lady Brant shook her head in denial. “The Havertys may have believed your ploy, my Lord, but I am well aware, first hand, of how a man’s lust is often centered on a household’s servants. Her association with this scandal will taint Miss Melsont’s reputation. Mrs. Haverty is my dearest friend, and I shall do what is necessary to protect her family. That includes eliminating those who might spread the tale throughout the neighborhood.”

Grace sighed heavily, “A letter of reference?” she said hopefully.

Lady Brant turned on her heel to leave. “Lord Brant would never tolerate it.”

Gabriel stepped before her to impede the woman’s progress. “You would punish an innocent?” He glanced at Grace’s defeated countenance. “Then, perhaps, I should storm into Miss Haverty’s room and demand satisfaction. How shall that hamper your plans to hush this madness?” he said tersely.

He started toward Miss Haverty’s closed door. Raised voices rang clear on the other side, but Grace stepped between him and his goal. “I will not have it, my Lord,” she said boldly. “You will not lose your title and your name simply to protect my position in Lord Brant’s household. I shall secure another position.”

Gabriel noted the tears pooling in her eyes’ corners. He observed how her lip trembled with uncertainty. Yet, she would face Society’s worst to protect him. “Then permit me to offer you a safe passage to London. I would be less than a gentleman if I subjected you to the horrors of public travel.” He glanced to his valet. “Mr. Sanders, would you escort Miss Melsont to her room and see her belongings are transferred to my coach?”

“Aye, Sir.”

“Thank you, my Lord.” She curtsied. “That would resolve having my trunk shipped separately.”

Gabriel turned on Lady Brant. “I am assuming you will have an accounting of Miss Melsont’s wages for her early departure.” He did not wait for an answer. The night had turned his world upon itself. Not only had he lost his betrothed, but he would also travel to London with Grace Nelson. Once again, he owed the lady a debt of gratitude. It seemed Fate had determined they would play out their dangerous dance.

*

“Are the lady’s belongings secured?” Gabriel asked his coachman.

“Yes, my Lord.” His driver checked the reins of the team. “We should be in London by late tomorrow.”

Gabriel leaned closer so neither Miss Nelson nor Mr. Sanders would hear. “I do not want to return to London, nor do I seek Gossling Hill. It is likely this fiasco will follow me to whichever I choose. Set a course for Linton Park.”

His coachman nodded his understanding. “We will arrive in early afternoon.”

Gabriel gestured Sanders into the carriage before bracing Grace’s ascent. He had not slept, but he had come to terms with his decision. Lord Brant had slipped an envelope addressed to Grace under Gabriel’s door. He assumed it was her pay, and Gabriel had dutifully delivered it to her over their totally silent breakfast. Before dawn, Mr. Haverty had awaited Gabriel in the breakfast room. The man offered his apologies and returned the signed settlements Gabriel had made as part of his plight for Miss Haverty. Surprisingly, Gabriel felt nothing but relief as he crawled into his coach. No one else deigned to see them off. How the Brants and the Havertys would explain away his absence, Gabriel did not care as long as he was not portrayed as cuckolded by the woman. Mr. Haverty had assured him Gabriel’s reputation would not suffer from the incident.

Settling into the soft squabs of his traveling coach, Gabriel stretched out his legs, folded his arms across his chest, and closed his eyes. He would not discuss what he planned with either Miss Nelson or Sanders. During the night, a clear-cut solution to his problems had arrived in the form of his valet reporting he had had to suggest to Lord Brant his employer would look upon it poorly if Brant carried out his threat “to teach Miss Melsont a lesson in humility.” Gabriel had thought to seek out his host and offer up his own lessons. The thought of someone taking out his frustrations on Grace had brought pure rage. Even though she would turn him down, he realized he must offer the woman his protection. And he would have his way in the matter. His only concern, at the moment, was what James Kerrington would say when Gabriel appeared on his friend’s doorstep with Grace Nelson in tow.

They had stopped for a mid-morning meal at an inn some thirty miles from their destination. “You really should have something more substantial, my Dear,” Gabriel had said as he watched Miss Nelson dip her dry toast into her tea before taking a bite. “Or at a minimum permit me to request some of the innkeeper’s finest preserves for your toast.”

Grace said in a stiff voice, “Of late, my appetite has been less than stellar.” She glanced about the near empty room to assure privacy. “I believe it started with the renewal of our acquaintance,” she added blandly.

Gabriel smiled at her attempt to make him aware of how much she did not require his assistance. When, in reality, she knew he was well aware all she owned in the world was strapped to the back of his coach. Miss Nelson may feign indifference, but she was frightened beyond comprehension. She had neither family to speak of nor a position to earn her way. The Brants would likely slander her. The only positive was they would be spreading rumors regarding a Miss Melsont. “So much for Christian charity,” he thought.

“It is odd,” he said taking a gigantic bite of the bread he had wrapped around some cheese and bacon. “My appetite has increased dramatically since discovering you under Lord Brant’s roof.”

She understood his double entendre perfectly. Her eyes grew larger, and a rosy flush colored her skin. “I object to your poorly veiled insinuation, my Lord. I am certain if I were a woman of the ton you would never make such a statement.”

“On the contrary, my Dear. I would likely say something much more provocative,” he said with a smirk.

Despite the tight set of her mouth, Gabriel imagined she smiled. “You are incorrigible, Lord Godown,” she said with a not so convincing snit.

“Considering you know only the worst of me, Miss Nelson,” he said triumphantly, “I must endeavor to be on my best behavior for the duration of our journey.”

They finished their meal in companionable silence. A quarter hour later, he motioned Mr. Sanders to sit on top while he directed Grace to the forward facing seat. “I thought we should speak honestly,” he said as he followed her into the coach’s darkness. He slid the curtain open to admit in the weak winter sun.

He watched as she fixed him with an unflinching gaze. “As you wish, my Lord.”

His mouth took on a sardonic slant. “It appears our tenuous relationship has taken a divergent twist. Fate has determinedly thrust us into each other’s pockets.”

She shot him a look of disbelief. “Do you honestly believe Fate delivered your betrothed into Lord Abbott’s arms?”

“No, but I do believer the Fickled Lady has delivered you into mine.” He cocked an eyebrow.

Warmth spread across her cheeks. “Although I admit we hold an unusual connection…” Her voice broke with a poignant squeak of her usual husky tone, “I still must decline your offer to become your mistress, Lord Godown.”

He chuckled easily. “That is excellent, Miss Nelson, for I have no intention of renewing my offer.”

“Then you expect a brief affair before you deposit me in London? Is that how it is, my Lord?” She edged away from him. “You save me from the Brants, and I express my gratitude? If you recall, Lord Godown, I have already repaid you by exposing Miss Haverty’s duplicity.” Trembling fingers conveyed her fear.

Although her chin rose in rebelliousness, Grace could not hide her desperation or her pride. She had faced the worst life had thrown at her and had survived, but now she was afraid. Frightened over what would follow. Afraid of the control he would demand of her. Frightened she might concede dominion over her life. Afraid of him. To his utter disbelief, a protective mantel fell about her shoulders. He would kill anyone who hurt her. The realization shook Gabriel’s composure. “I do not expect a brief encounter, Miss Nelson,” he explained. His eyes narrowed.

“Then of what do we speak?” she snapped.

Gabriel turned his gaze to the passing landscape. “Have you noticed we have yet to connect with the North Road?”

Grace followed his gaze. She frowned in concentration; realization of what he indicated displayed upon her countenance. “Might I know of our destination, my Lord?” She took a quick, steadying breath as panic flitted across her eyes.

“Linton Park,” he said with more confidence than he actually felt.

“Lord Worthing’s home?” she asked in confusion. “Why would we set a course for Derbyshire?” A flash of vulnerability flickered across her expression,.

His mouth twisted to one side. “First, I feared upon reflection that either Abbott or Haverty or Brant would seek some sort of perverted revenge. If so, he may give pursuit on the road to London. And as my aunts are in residence at Gossling Hill, setting a course for Staffordshire did not appear prudent.”

She repeatedly uneasily, “But why Linton Park?”

Nonplused, Gabriel stared at her. “Other than Lord Worthing being one of my closest acquaintances, his father, the Earl of Linworth, once offered the Linton Park chapel to each of Worthing’s associates for his wedding.” He heard her quick intake of air. “Thornhill and Miss Aldridge followed Worthing and Lady Eleanor in taking their vows before the Linworth clergy. Recently, Lord Yardley and Miss Cashémere joined their lives before family and friends in the chapel. The structure appears to have brought my associates a certain amount of luck, and as I seem to have misplaced my own fortune, I thought to borrow what I can from the earl.”

She rasped, “And the bride, my Lord?”

Gabriel closed the space between them. Taking her hand between his two, he said, “Grace, permit to give you the protection of my name.”

“But you do not love me,” she protested.

“I did not love Miss Haverty, but I was willing to commit myself to her. At times, I did not even like the lady. At least, we have a mutual attraction upon which to build a relationship,” he reasoned.

“Yet, you have accused me of conspiring with those who would see you dead,” she countered.

Gabriel wished she had not reminded him of the evidence that said she had aligned herself with his enemies. During the night, he had convinced himself whatever her involvement, Grace had done so unknowingly or out of desperation. He picked his way through all the possible scenarios before he said, “I was mistaken. Our marriage will resolve those issues. We can build on the trust we experienced in Scotland. Together, we are good, Grace. It is only when others invade our privacy we begin to doubt.”

“I have never doubted you, my Lord.” Despite her best efforts to control them, tears escaped.

Gabriel fought to maintain his reserve. He wanted her. He wanted to take Grace into his arms and to lose himself in what she offered. To feel alive again, but he could not chance it. He would keep her at arm’s length, except in his bed that is. In his bed, he would enjoy her intimacy. “You have always been a better person than I, Grace, but we will work on reestablishing trust between us. Now, Miss Nelson, will you agree to make me the happiest of men?”

She closed her eyes as if to block out his presence. Leaving them closed, she said softly, “Upon one condition, my Lord. If you will assist me in saving my sister Mercy from my fate, I shall agree to anything you say. I shall have Mercy not know another day of uncertainty. At least one of us deserves happiness.”

“Perhaps both of you, my Dear. I promise as my marquise you will want for nothing.” However, as soon as the words escaped his lips, he thought, Love. You will want for nothing but love.

*

Lord Godown had gathered her in his arms, and Grace had permitted him to hold her. It felt so good to have his warmth surrounding her. The desire for an emotional attachment smothered her resolve, robbing her of her ability to breathe. Grace wanted this man; she did not think she could ever tire of his closeness, and that realization was dangerous one. She would be turning over her life to his control. For the past five years, she had thought herself independent, but with just one word she had laid herself open to whatever pain Lord Godown wished to do inflict on her. As he did not trust her, His Lordship would likely take some sort of revenge, and she would suffer greatly from his contempt.

Yet, she was totally helpless to stop him because the moment she had agreed to assist him with his wound, Grace had handed over her heart to Gabriel Crowden. He offered her endless possibilities: a place in Society, a handsome husband, a home of her own, and perhaps, even children. But how would she protect herself when just breathing the same air as he robbed her of her reason?

Escaping his embrace and sliding across the bench seat, Grace sat taller. Lord Godown had released her without protest, but she had the distinct feeling he would not agree to such a show of independence often. “I have some questions as to what you expect of me, my Lord.” Heat washed her face when she spotted the bulge pressing against his thigh.