Baron of Bad (Lords of Scandal 5)

“Grace,” Emily chirped from her right, having joined the group a few moments prior. “Do you want to ride in our carriage?” Her eldest sister dropped her voice. “We all know how mother will be.”

Her heart began to thud wildly. She’d be separated from Ben the entire day too? Why hadn’t she thought of that? “I can sit with Lord Baderness. I’d hate to leave him with Crusher’s carriage.”

“Don’t be silly,” her mother answered. “You can’t ride with him, dear.”

Grace clenched her fist under the table. She’d been alone with him for nearly two days. It was on the tip of her tongue to say that they were engaged. But once she did that…

She didn’t hold back for her sake. She’d happily marry him tomorrow. Grace held back her words for him. “Mother,” she set her cup down, staring just over her mother’s shoulder, careful to not look her in the eye. “I may never ask this question again.” She swallowed, her insides churning. “But how could I improve myself? Be a better person.”

Diana drew in a sharp breath while Emily dropped her spoon in her tea, causing it to splash. Her mother stared for a moment before she reached for her hand. “Since you’ve asked, I—”

“No,” Minnie stopped her aunt before she could begin. “Grace. Why are you asking this?”

Heat flushed her cheeks as she twisted her hands. “Sometimes I wish that I was more like Cordelia or Diana or you, Minnie.” Her only known talent was beauty while Cordelia was so smart and Minnie terribly brave and strong. What did they say about her? Spoiled.

Minnie frowned, her brows drawing together. “Everyone sees the best of others and wishes to be more like those people.” Minnie leaned closer. “But you’re wonderful, Grace.”

Grace shook her head. “I know what you all think. I act selfishly, I speak without thinking, I—”

“Grace,” Diana soothed, her voice soft and gentle. “I speak without thinking. You speak with pointed accuracy.”

Grace shook her head. “I’m not bold.”

Emily grabbed her hand. “But you’re strong. Look at how you’re holding up in the face of all this insanity. What makes you think you need to change?”

She drew in a deep breath. “He’s attracted to me, but he doesn’t like me.” She gazed at her lap.

No one spoke, silence stretching out between them until finally Diana cleared her throat. “I have no idea if that’s true or not but I can tell you that the right man for you will like you exactly as you are. Do not change yourself for his benefit. That will not make you happy.”

Grace didn’t look up. “But I like him. In fact…” Did she dare to say the words out loud?

“In fact, what?” Minnie scooted closer.

“I think that I love him.” Grace nibbled her lip.

Diana cleared her throat again. “Is it possible that you’re just grateful for his rescue?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I felt this even before the kidnapping. This growing need to be near him all the time.”

Minnie raised her brows. “But the two of you argued constantly.”

Grace shrugged, finally looking up from her lap. “There was this energy between us and I didn’t know what to do with it so I would just tease him. I—”

Emily grabbed her hand. “Heaven help us, you are in love.”

“What do you think he and Papa are discussing?” Grace asked as the other women shifted.

“Your marriage, of course,” her mother answered. “He’s been alone with you.”

Grace drew in a deep breath. “Then I’ve no choice but to change. I love him, we’re going to marry. I can’t bear to have these feelings and not have them returned.” She drew in a shaky breath. “He says that he wants me to have options, but he’s been trying to get out of our union. What else am I supposed to think?”

Her family was silent. There was nothing to say. She was woefully correct.

* * *

Bad walked back into the common room to find the women huddled together, their heads bent, but no one spoke a word. Silent women were the worst sort because it wasn’t natural and therefore meant something had gone very wrong.

And right now, he knew what the problem was: him.