Diana unwound her arms from Grace’s neck and looked at Ben. “You’re rather familiar.”
Heat filled her cheeks at the truth in Diana’s words. Diana always spoke her mind and with her dark hair and statuesque beauty, people usually listened. But Grace reached for her sister’s hands. “I’ve made quite the nuisance of myself where Lord Baderness is concerned,” she said. “I’ve been a bit jumpy and he’s been very patient with my needs.”
Diana frowned. “He hasn’t taken advantage?”
Grace shook her head, not daring to look at Ben. “He’s been a perfect gentleman.”
Diana’s shoulders relaxed. “And Abernath?”
Grace cringed. She hadn’t been lying to the countess. Diana had felt a certain kinship with the woman. “She died, but don’t be upset. She was ill and relieved for her death to be over so quickly and painlessly.”
Diana stared at her sister. “Grace. Are you all right?”
Grace blinked. What did that mean? “Of course, I am. Don’t I sound all right?”
“Yes. Very reasonable. Which is not…really…you.”
* * *
Bad pressed his lips together to keep from laughing out loud. Diana had a way of putting a point on things.
When he thought about it, it wasn’t dissimilar to Grace’s manner and he quite liked it.
Grace, however, appeared less amused by Diana’s comment. “Oh please,” she said. “Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you can go around telling other people how to behave.”
Lady Winthrop appeared in the doorway. “It would seem my daughter has been found and is unharmed. She’s already putting her older sister in her place.”
Grace gave a soft groan.
He leaned down. “Are you all right?”
Her lips pursed. “I’d rather face Abernath again.”
“And you were rescued by a handsome lord. Tell me daughter, is there another wedding in our future?”
“Mother,” Grace said. “Yes, I’m injured. A bit shaken still but managing to cope with the scare. Thanks for asking.”
Ben nearly choked from the effort to suppress his chuckle. He was beginning to understand Grace in a whole new light. She came from a family of outspoken women who were also all uncommonly beautiful.
“Yes, yes,” her mother answered as Lord Winthrop followed just behind his wife. “But still. The circumstances…”
Grace huffed a breath. “Lord Baderness should not be saddled with me simply because he was kind enough to rescue me.”
Her father cleared his throat. “That will be my decision not yours. Baderness, I’d like a word.”
He straightened, trying not to grimace. What was the man going to say? That Bad wasn’t fit to be the carpet under his daughter’s slippers? He might have a point, but it was going to hurt to hear it. “Of course, my lord.”
The man turned back and Bad followed. But he hadn’t made it a single step before a hand tugged at his arm. He looked back to see Grace, her blue eyes staring up at him. “Don’t let him strong-arm you.”
He swallowed a lump of emotion. “I won’t let him strong-arm you,” he answered, then continued to follow. So strange, he’d lived his entire life alone. At least what he remembered. He supposed he’d had parents when he was very young, he just didn’t remember them. After all this time, he hated to be apart from Grace.
Lord Winthrop led him into a private dining room and turned abruptly on heel. “You know what I wish to discuss?”
Bad swallowed the lump in his throat. “I have an idea.”
Winthrop stepped closer. “Listen, son. Marriage doesn’t have to change who you are.”
Bad scrunched his brow. “I beg your pardon?”