“We’ve only just figured it out, Mother.” Grace answered. “She confessed to me in the carriage on the way here.”
“What’s the secret? Will it ruin all of us?”
“No.” Daring held out his hands. “It’s of no consequence. The woman was going mad, losing her mental faculties.”
Bad knew that wasn’t entirely true and that Grace was protecting him, Daring, and their club in saying so. He wanted to pull her in his arms. He wanted to give her everything that was his to give.
Daring gave a quick nod. “Lord Effington, Lord Baderness, and myself will retrieve the body. Lord Exmouth will return the rest of you to London. We’ll be back by tomorrow midday.”
Grace trembled. A palpable shake that reverberated through him. “I’d prefer to travel with the ladies. After what’s happened, they might need protection,” Bad said.
Daring raised his brows but he gave a nod of assent. “Fair enough. I trust your judgment.”
Grace nearly melted into Bad. He closed his eyes, knowing they’d marry. He wanted her to have a season, it was the best choice for her long term, but right now, she needed him too much and she’d ruin herself if she acted this way in front of anyone other than her family. He’d get a lovely wife if she did that, but her? He held her tighter. He truly wanted what was best for her now and in the future.
Chapter Thirteen
Grace tapped her foot as they rode in the carriage. She knew that Ben was on the seat with the driver of the carriage, just feet away, but she wanted to be next to him.
“Grace,” Diana chided. “You’ve barely listened to a word.”
“You don’t know that,” she answered, looking out the window.
“Don’t mind her,” Lady Winthrop added. “She’s in love and lost in her thoughts.”
Grace’s lips pressed together. She’d admitted the words out loud so she couldn’t deny them but… “I’ve already told you. It’s the possibility of not having my feelings returned that has me in fits.”
Diana shook her head. “We all felt that way at some point. Try to understand, you’re both new to each other and it can be difficult to admit how you feel because you’re not sure if the other will reject you. You’ll hold back and so will he.” Diana reached for her hand. “But he cares for you as much as you do him. It’s in his every movement, the way he touches you, the expression on his face.” She squeezed Grace’s fingers lightly. “Stop worrying. And if you really want to hear him say how he feels, tell him first.”
Grace shook her head. It couldn’t actually be that simple, could it? But those words stuck with her as they drove back into London. They turned over in her thoughts as they reached their London townhome and pulled through the iron gates.
As she stepped out of the carriage, her home looked exactly the same but everything was different. She’d been kidnapped, saved, and had fallen in love.
Turning back to the carriage, she watched Bad climb down from the seat, his muscles flexing with his movement. She held her breath as he swiveled to face her and then took the three steps to be at her side. The day had warmed nicely and the sun shone down on her face.
Leaning close to him, she whispered, “Meet me at the gate to the left at midnight.”
His eyes widened but he gave a quick jerk of his chin. “It will be cool tonight. Dress warmly.”
Her mother approached and Grace took a quick step back. Some of the tension she’d felt eased.
“Lord Baderness,” her mother called. “Won’t you join us for dinner?”
“I’d be delighted,” he answered, taking Grace’s hand and bringing her gloved fingers to his lips.
Grace beamed at her mother. For once, their purposes aligned. Her mother winked back.
After saying their goodbyes, Grace watched as both Ben and her sisters left. Turning back to the house with both her parents, she realized how empty the space had become. “What will you do when we’re all gone?” she asked her mother as she stepped through the entry.
Her mother gave her a glowing smile. “Each of your sisters’ husbands has a residence in London. I fully expect to see this place filled with children regularly. And…” Her mother’s smile broadened into a wide grin. “I won’t have to worry nearly so much. As a grandmother, I’ll be free to just love my grandchildren.”
Grace cocked her head to the side. Her mother had driven her near mad at times, but she’d never considered how difficult being the mother of four daughters might be. “You’ve done a wonderful job. Well, I suppose I might be the exception, but all my sisters have married well.”
Her mother shook her head. “Look at you, my Grace. Growing into a thoughtful and mature woman. You’ll do marvelously. Don’t you doubt that.”
Grace thanked her mother and headed up the stairs for a bath and, perhaps, a nap. A rosy glow filled her as she considered how little sleep she’d gotten the night before. Completely worth the trouble.
Soaking in a long bath, she climbed out of the tub and allowed herself to dry, then put on a night rail to rest before the evening. Her eyes were heavy as the afternoon sun streamed in.