Michael?
For the love of God, he had to pull himself together before he made a complete arse of himself. “He is waiting in the carriage with Mrs. Banfield.” He turned to Mrs. Mallory, who regarded him with a very dangerous looking smirk. “That is Michael’s tutor. She will act as chaperone.”
“Oh, I don’t think there is a need for a chaperone at Adeline’s age.” She waved her hand in dismissal, leaving him with the belief that she hoped Adeline would be compromised to hurry up the wedding he had no doubt she’d been planning since his arrival.
“Oh, if he’s been waiting all this time, we should hurry.” Miss Mallory took the few steps to her mother and kissed her on the cheek.
As they reached the front door, Mrs. Mallory hurried after them. “Please take tea with us when you return, my lord.”
Miss Mallory came to an abrupt halt and he swore he heard her teeth grinding. “Actually, Mother, we are stopping at Gunter’s for tea, so that won’t be necessary.” She then gave his back a very unladylike shove toward the open door. “I will see you later.”
Once on the steps, Grayson reached into the open door and took Miss Mallory’s cloak from the butler, who seemed confused by how quickly she was out the door. Once the door closed, he placed the cloak over her shoulders.
The air outside seemed clearer. Lighter. Easier to pull into his lungs. How the devil was he going to spend time with Miss Mallory without feeling as though every time he stepped over her front doorstep he was walking into the lion’s den? If this visit lasted much longer, he expected to be greeted by a vicar the next time he called. He was certain Satan on a prowl for souls was not as tenacious as Mrs. Mallory.
“Look what I have.” Miss Mallory held up a small cloth bag.
“What is that?” He took her elbow and assisted her down the steps.
“Bread pieces. I thought Michael would enjoy feeding the ducks.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Grayson said. As they reached the bottom step, Miss Mallory turned and looked up at him, genuine concern on her pretty face. “My lord, I’m afraid I must once again apologize for my mother, and I would certainly understand if you wish to meet with the organization and other matters without me.” She reached for his hand as he helped her into the vehicle.
“No. I want you to accompany me. That was the plan.” He climbed in after her, noting that Michael was already climbing on her lap, a huge grin on his face. “Please don’t worry yourself over your mother. I assure you I can handle mothers.”
Miss Mallory adjusted Michael on her lap, offering him a kiss on his cheek. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Banfield.”
“Good afternoon.” Mrs. Banfield looked at Grayson with raised brows. He grinned back. Apparently, she was just as impressed as he was with how Michael had immediately abandoned her to go to Miss Mallory, and she had then made him comfortable on her lap as if she’d done it numerous times before. If anything was going to move him in the direction Mrs. Mallory was so frantically pulling him toward, it would be Michael’s obvious adoration of her daughter.
“I found a book in my father’s library about deafness.” Miss Mallory ran her hand up and down Michael’s arm. “One of the things mentioned was how touch is so very important to anyone suffering from deafness.”
Another point in her favor. Not that he was looking for points. He still thought a marriage between them would not be in his best interests. He could easily fall in love with Miss Mallory and he’d only just put his heart back together. He doubted it could survive another blow.
“May I borrow the book?”
She now wove her fingers through Michael’s curls, and all he could imagine was her doing the same to him. How it would feel to have her delicate fingers touching him. In more places than just his hair.
“Yes. Of course.”
He had to stop and remember his question. Oh, yes. The book. “Thank you.”
Mrs. Banfield asked Miss Mallory about her gown, and the rest of the trip was taken up with the two women discussing fashion while Grayson watched, mesmerized, as Miss Mallory and Michael formed an attachment that was both good and bad news.
Once they arrived at Hyde Park, they rode until they reached the Serpentine with the coach coming to a rolling stop. Grayson stepped out, turning to help Mrs. Banfield and Miss Mallory. Michael was so eager he was jumping up and down. It reminded him that the boy needed more stimulation since he couldn’t hear. Once they returned to Bath, hopefully with a promise from a tutor to work with Michael, he would have to be sure his son had more outings.
With Miss Mallory. Because Michael cared for her so much, he told himself.
Miss Mallory took his son by the hand and led him toward the lake. She pulled out some bread from the bag and showed it to him. Then she broke it into little pieces and threw them to the ducks that had climbed from the water, waddling toward them. Then ducks came from all directions, causing Michael to clap his hands and shout.
She handed him a few pieces, and he tossed those. It was a peaceful few minutes until Miss Mallory turned to say something to Grayson and Michael immediately dashed to the water, splashing as he reached for one of the ducks.
Grayson and Miss Mallory shouted, “Michael, stop!”
Then they turned toward each other. “He can’t hear us.” They raced to the water just as Michael’s head disappeared.
Chapter Eight
Addie reached the water after Lord Berkshire, who had scooped his son up from the lake sputtering and howling. Michael’s arms waved frantically, and he pointed over to the water, grunting.