Three Weeks to Wed (4 page)

“Yes, my lady. I put it in the study.”

Grace glanced around the table. “Charlotte, I shall meet you there in an hour. If you've finished eating, please practice either your singing or the piano until I send for you. The rest of you have lessons.”

They left the table as one and the room became suddenly quiet. Only her cousin Jane, who'd acted as Grace's companion for the last four years, remained.

Jane gave Grace a concerned frown. “Grace, you look tired. Didn't you sleep well?”

“Well enough, considering the storm. I suspect when I've bathed and re-dressed I'll look more the thing.”

Her cousin smiled softly. “Of course. That must be it. Have you given any consideration to reentering society yourself? It would be a shame for you to miss all the fun.”

Grace pressed her lips together. She'd not been in London for the Season since her mother died in childbirth along with the baby. “What would be the point? I am not free to marry until Charlie is one and twenty and able to take over the guardianship of the children. That is still five years away. Even then, he will require me to raise them.” She shook her head. “When Mary is ready to come out, if some gentleman is looking for an ape-leader then, I'll consider it. Until that time, I shall go to teas and entertainments of that sort, but not to balls. You and Aunt Herndon can be gadabouts. She is sponsoring Charlotte and must attend in any event.”

Jane scoffed. “Surely, you will go to Lady Thornhill's drawing rooms.”

Lady Thornhill had the most interesting gatherings in the
ton,
drawing from artists, writers, and philosophers for her guests. Grace picked up the pot and poured more tea. “Yes, I may do that and perhaps some of the political parties.”

Her cousin rose. “I shall leave you now. I know you have much to do.”

Jane was as kind as she was undemanding. In her late thirties, her blond hair was beginning to show some silver. She'd lost her love at sea and had never been tempted to marry another. Perhaps she would find someone this Season, though that would leave Grace seeking another companion.

A deep bark came from the hall, and a one-year-old Great Dane, towing a footman, bounded into the breakfast room. Finding her mistress, the dog went to Grace and placed its huge head on her arm.

“Good morning, Daisy, did you miss me?” She glanced up at the footman. “Do I want to know how walking lessons are going?”

He grimaced. “We was doing better, my lady, until she heard you.”

Grace patted the dog, stroking her soft ears. “You'll have to be left behind if you cannot learn to walk on a lead.”

Daisy gave her a sidelong glance and directed her attention to the beef on Grace's plate.

Grace grinned. She was probably too lenient with the dog. “No. I will not have you eating from the table.”

Daisy looked back up at her with large, hopeful eyes.

“You are incorrigible.” Grace ate the last of her egg then gave Daisy the small piece of meat. “Go find something to do that won't get you into trouble. I must change.”

Wagging her tail, Daisy followed her mistress to her room, dragging the footman with her. Grace sighed in resignation. “George, you may leave her with me for a while.”

He bowed. “Thank you, my lady. We'll try the walking again later.”

She stared down at Daisy and wrinkled her brow. “Very well, you may come with me, but you must behave.”

By the time she'd repeated the story of her absence to her maid, Bolton, the tub was ready.

Sinking into the warm water, Grace found twinges in muscles she didn't know she'd had until making love with Worthington. Her throat tightened, but she stopped herself from weeping again. She'd gotten what she wanted and more, much more than she expected. She would just have to remember him with happiness and affection. That is the only way she could think of him now.

Worthington was perfect in every way. If she could marry, he would be the one. But if she wed, she would lose the guardianship of the children she'd fought so hard for and they'd be separated from one another. She clinched her teeth remembering her aunts' and uncles' scorn in thinking she could raise the children. The court battles that had cost so much in money and emotional pain. Yet, she had made a promise to her mother that she would keep the children together. Even if she had not, she would have fought to keep her family whole. They had already lost so much. They would not have survived being separated from one another. What joy could she have found if she'd left them? Thank God her grandfather had finally taken her side and ended the contretemps in her favor.

By the time Grace entered her study, Daisy was lounging in front of the fire, and Charlotte sat at the other end of the partner's desk working on accounts. “I thought you were to practice your music?”

Charlotte pressed her lips together. “I wanted to see how much I could get done without your help. After all, once I marry, I'll have to do it on my own.”

“Humph. Well I suppose you have a point. Do you have selections ready that you can play and sing without your music?”

She started to roll her eyes. Grace glared and Charlotte stopped. “Sorry. Yes, I have a few ready, and Dotty and I have been working on a duet we can play together.”

Grace took her seat and opened the letter on top. For several minutes the only sound was the scratches of Charlotte's pen. Once Grace had gotten through all the business correspondence, she started on her personal letters. “Charlotte, listen to this. My friend Phoebe, Lady Evesham, is increasing. She'll be in Town but not going about much. She has given us a letter of introduction to Madame Lisette, whom, I will have you know, is the most exclusive modiste in Town. If we arrive a couple of weeks before the Season, Phoebe has arranged for Madame to design all your gowns.” Grace put down the letter and glanced at her sister. “Isn't that good news?”

Charlotte's face was wreathed in smiles. “Yes, indeed. Dotty told me Miss Smithton wanted to go to her last year and could not get in.”

Grace resisted a grin. Dotty, Charlotte's best friend, was coming out this Season as well. Miss Smithton, a year older than Charlotte and Dotty, had considered herself the reigning neighborhood beauty until Charlotte and Dotty began going to the local assemblies and some private parties. Miss Smithton was indeed beautiful and knew it, which put off many of the young men. Charlotte's fair hair contrasting with Dotty's black tresses made a stunning pair, which caused many young men to gather around them. Grace was glad they would come out together.

Her sister picked up a heavy glass paperweight, lifting it up and down for a few moments. “Grace, do you think Dotty may come with us to Madame Lisette's?”

“My dear, I am sure Lady Sterne will have sorted Dotty's wardrobe.” She saw no reason to remind Charlotte that the Sternes were not quite so plump in the pocket as the Carpenters. “You may go shopping with her at Pantheon's Bazaar.” Grace took out her calendar. “We must bring our trip forward by a week.”

Charlotte glanced at her pensively. “Grace, wouldn't it be nice if you and I left early, and the children could come as planned?”

Sitting back, Grace toyed with the feather end of the quill, passing it over her cheek and lips until it reminded her of Worthington's kisses. She put it down. “I'd love to be able to give you that treat. Let me talk to Jane and the others. If they think they can handle the rest of the children without me, we'll do it.”

Jumping up in a very unladylike fashion, Charlotte rushed to Grace, hugging and kissing her. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! I love them all, but sometimes . . .”

Grace returned her sister's embrace, pushing a stray curl behind Charlotte's ear. “I understand, my dear. No one could think badly of you for wanting some time without all of them hanging on one and listening at the doors.”

Charlotte stepped back and frowned slightly. “Do you ever wish it?”

Smiling, Grace took her hand. “Of course I do. But I wouldn't give any of you up. Not for anything.”
Not even for Lord Worthington
. “And we are very fortunate. Unlike many, we have the funds to order life as we will. All of you girls have good dowries, and the boys have easy competences. Indeed, I could not wish for more.”

“We're lucky we have you.” Charlotte grinned and squeezed Grace's hand. “I've finished the accounts and they all balance. May I ride to Dotty's house?”

There'd be no gallops for her sister in London. Grace glanced at her and nodded. “Yes, as long as you dress warmly and take your groom.”

Charlotte kissed Grace again and skipped, before remembering to walk out of the room at a sedate pace.

She put her head in her hands, which was how Jane found her. “Grace, my dear
, are
you going to tell me what is bothering you? You've been in a brown study all day.”

She glanced up. “It is nothing, really. There's just so much to do, and now I must take Charlotte to London a week early for her wardrobe. Do you think, between you, Nurse, Miss Tallerton, and Mr. Winters, you could manage the rest of the children yourselves for that week?”

“I do not see why we cannot.” Jane's brow wrinkled. “The boys mind Mr. Winters well and the girls love Miss Tallerton. Where will you stay? You'll not want to be alone at Stanwood House with Charlotte.”

Grace shook her head. “No, that would not be at all proper. I shall write Aunt Herndon and ask if we may visit with her for the week. It will be a good way for Charlotte and her to get to know each other better. My sister is a good girl, though one could hardly call her biddable.”

Jane eyes sparkled with laughter. “None of the girls could be called biddable, my dear, including you.”

“No, I think it's in the blood.” Grace grinned and picked up another letter. “Oh look, it's from Charlie.” She read his hastily scratched missive. “He's doing well and thinks I shall be happy with his marks this term. He asks if he may come to London during the holiday. Well of all the chuckleheads. Where else should he go?”

Her cousin gave a laugh, shook her head, then left Grace alone with her correspondence. Yet other than reading a few letters from friends with whom she maintained a large correspondence, she accomplished nothing else. She turned in her chair and gazed out of the window at the rosebushes. Many of them were still covered in frost and sparkled under the midday sun.

She shouldn't have done it. She'd thought if only she could experience it once, she'd be satisfied to live out her life as a spinster. Now she was anything but content. Every time she thought of him, her body tingled and she imagined his hands stroking and teasing her. And it was not only the lovemaking. And it wasn't simply the way he made her body feel, she'd so enjoyed talking with him throughout the day and evening. They agreed on almost everything. When they had differed, he'd listened to her point of view respectfully and even agreed she had good reason to think as she did. She would miss that more than his touch.

She had to stop thinking about him. Going to Town early would be a good change. She could settle Charlotte's wardrobe and forget Worthington.

Grace reached out for a piece of elegant pressed paper and dipped her pen in the standish.

Yet even as she wrote her aunt with plans for their visit, the emptiness inside her wouldn't leave.

Dawn had still not broken when Matt awoke. He grinned to himself. Soon he would be an engaged man. Finally, he understood the looks of love and possession he'd seen in his friends' faces when they glanced at their wives. That was exactly what he wanted with his lady. Later, after the sun had made an appearance, he'd discover her name and how soon they could wed. Reaching for her, his hand found nothing but a cold, empty sheet. He listened for any sign of her in the chamber, but there was nothing. Hmm, she must have gone to her room, but why? There was no one in the inn but them. Perhaps she was concerned about servants. Although none of them seemed to appear until called.

Rising, he donned his dressing gown, walked down the corridor, then opened the door to her chamber. Empty. Nothing to even indicate she'd been there.

The clock on the mantel showed five o'clock. He went back to his room and tugged the bell-pull. In a few minutes, the boots brought hot water for him to shave.

Matt waited until the water was poured into the basin. “The lady who was here last evening, is she downstairs?”

“I dunno, my lord. Ain't seen no lady,” the lad mumbled, and left.

Matt finished dressing and descended the stairs. His groom, Mac, was in the common room eating. “Where are the others?”

Mac finished chewing and swallowed. “Gone, my lord. Their coach ain't in the yard.”

Something wasn't right. Why would she have left and not told him? “Be ready to leave in half an hour.”

He looked around for the landlord and, not finding him, entered the parlor. Covered dishes set on the table, with one place setting. He wished he was sharing the meal with her and conversing as they had the night before.
Hell
. He wanted to be in a warm bed with her next to him.

Mr. Brown knocked on the door before entering. “My lord, you was wishful of seeing me?”

Now Matt would get some answers. “Yes, I want to know the lady's name.”

The innkeeper opened his eyes wide. “What lady, my lord?”

Matt bit the inside of his lip and tried to keep from losing his temper. “The lady who was here last night. The one I shared dinner with.”

The landlord started backing out of the parlor, shaking his head. “Weren't no lady here, my lord.”

Matt choked back an angry response. Losing his temper would do him no good. He must attempt to reason with the innkeeper. “I can understand she would not want it known she was here alone and without her maid. But you may tell me who she is. I plan to marry her, and I need to know her direction.”

“I'd like to help you, my lord, but I can't.” The man closed the door.

Matt stood so quickly his chair crashed to the floor, but by the time he got to the hall, the innkeeper had prudently taken himself off.

“You there.”

The young woman glanced at Matt wide-eyed. “Yes, sir?”

“Where is Brown?”

“Me da had to go to the farm.”

“When will he return?”

She furrowed her brow. “No tell'n how long he'll take.”

“Do you know the lady who was here?”

“I just got here meself. I only work during the day and weren't here at all yesterday.”

Matt stalked off. “Damn the man.”

He strode outside to find his curricle ready and Mac standing next to it. “Did any of the lady's servants mention where they live?”

“No, my lord. One of the younger men said something about a hall, but the others shut him up right quick.”

Matt clenched his fists. “
Hall!
Hall does me no good at all. Half the bloody houses in England are called the Hall. How the devil am I to find her?”

Mac closed one eye and stared at Matt. “You sure she weren't married?”

He glared at his groom. “Yes, quite sure.”

“Jus asking.” Mac shrugged. “Suppose we could stop along the way and ask.”

Matt rubbed his cheek. Why hadn't he thought of it? “Good idea, Mac, we'll try finding her that way.”

For the next few hours, they asked at every inn and coaching house along the road home. But by the time they stopped for luncheon, Matt knew no more than he had that morning. No one remembered seeing a coach carrying a golden-haired lady.

Where had she gone, and why did she leave him? The idea that he could just forget her was immediately shrugged off. No, he was the first man to have touched her, and she was his. What if she was with child?
His child.

He ground his teeth. By God, somehow he'd find her.

By the middle of the afternoon, he'd driven up to the front door of his home, and was in as foul mood as he'd ever been in. Matt jumped down from the curricle.

“Why do you look so milligrubbed?”

He narrowed his eyes at Theodora, his eight-year-old sister. “What did I tell you about talking cant? If you cannot stop repeating everything the grooms say, I shall have to discover who's teaching it to you and dismiss him.”

Blue eyes the same color as his widened. “You wouldn't make Curry leave?”

He stared down at his youngest sister.
Probably not
. “I will and you shall have it on your conscience. Is that what you want?”

Theodora's long, dark brown braid flipped around as she shook her head. “No.”

Curry was her personal groom and Theo was very fond of him. “Then see you mind your tongue.”

She nodded her head emphatically. “Yes, Matt. But you haven't answered my question.”

He picked her up. “And I don't intend to. Where's your mother?”

Theo screwed up her face in thought. “She was in the morning room the last time I saw her, but that was a long time ago.”

He stopped and frowned. “Don't you have lessons?”

She gazed up at the sky and kept her mouth firmly shut.

“I thought so.”

Swinging her up onto his shoulders, he carried her into the house, setting her on the stairs. “Go, now.”

“Thorton,” he said, addressing his butler. “Where is her ladyship?”

His butler bowed. “We are very happy to see you home, my lord. Her ladyship is in her parlor.”

“Thank you.” Taking the steps two at a time, he quickly caught up with Theodora's much slower progress. Matt flung her over his shoulder and finished climbing with her giggling in his ear. He set her down on the stairs to the school-room. “There you go, little one, up to the school-room with you.”

He stood watching her until she was at the top and then turned toward his stepmother's apartments. After knocking on her door, he entered.

His father had married Patience barely a year after his mother had died in childbirth. Matt had learned of the marriage from one of his schoolmates. At first he was inclined to be resentful, but when he went home for the long summer holiday, he found his father's new bride was a shy, scared seventeen-year-old. A mere five years older than he and she already breeding.

His father had stayed around long enough to introduce them and left for Bath, where he spent the remainder of the summer before decamping to Town for the Little Season. The new Lady Worthington didn't see London again until one year after her husband had died.

Although he had encouraged her to re-marry, she would not. Patience truly loved her daughters and, as Matt was his sisters' sole guardian, re-marriage would mean leaving them at Worthington Hall.

She glanced up, set aside her embroidery, and smiled. “Worthington, I'm so glad you're home. The girls have missed you horribly.”

He gave her a peck on the cheek. “How have you been?”

“I'm well. We are all excited about Louisa's come out. Do you need anything?”

He'd known she would ask. “Yes, I've fallen in love. The only problem is I can't find her.”

Patience went off into a peal of light laughter. “Mattheus Worthington, what will you say next? Isn't this rather sudden? Did you meet her in Town?”

“It may be, but it's true, and I wouldn't be the first man to fall in love at first sight. I met her at an inn during a storm. She left before I could discover her name. I need your help finding her.” He described in careful detail his love's most important features.

She pressed her lips together as if she would argue, then her countenance softened and she nodded. “Very well, but my dear, why do you not draw her for me?”

“That's a good idea.” Why hadn't he thought of it? Ever since he'd discovered she had left him, his brain had stopped working. Matt took her leave going immediately to his studio.

Using a pencil, he sketched his lady's face and hair, careful to use the style she had when it was up, and colored it in. Once he was satisfied, he took it to Patience. “What do you think? Do you recognize her?”

Patience squinted over the drawing and tapped her cheek. “I have seen her. I just don't know when. It must have been a few years ago, because her cheeks were rounder. Like that of a younger lady, still”—she held the paper up to the light—“I am sure it's her.”

He was so close. He tried not to dance a jig. His breath caught. “Who? Who is she?”

Her brows drew together. “That's the problem, I don't remember her name. May I keep this? When we get to Town, I'll ask a few discreet friends.”

“Yes, of course. Though I don't want her name bandied around.”

Her eyes twinkled in amusement. “I shall be very careful. I am leaving for London with the girls in two weeks to purchase Louisa's clothing. When will you join us?”

“I'm off to Leicestershire hunting, but I should arrive in Town around the same time you do.” He paused for a moment. “If you need to hire an additional maid to keep Theodora under control, you have my permission.”

Patience pulled a face. “Cant again?”

“Yes.” He frowned. “I hope I have impressed upon her that if she cannot control her tongue, I'll have to dismiss her groom. I'll have Mac speak to the lad as well. I've no objection to her learning the words. But she doesn't have the discretion not to spout them out at the wrong times.”

“How extremely large-minded of you,” Patience replied sarcastically. “You may not care that she learns such vulgar language, but I certainly do. What do you think will happen when she comes out, pray?”

His mouth twisted into a grimace. “Let's get through the other three before we worry about Theo. I'll see you at dinner.”

Matt went back to his studio and sat at his drawing table. Again putting pencil to paper, he drew his love's perfect oval face and long, curling hair, her slim, elegant neck and slightly sloping shoulders. Once he allowed his memory to take him back to the feel of her full breasts, his pencil reverently made them appear. By the time he was done, carefully leaving her facial features blank, he'd drawn his lady naked, the way he remembered her as she waited to give herself to him. He would have liked to have drawn the passion in her beautiful blue eyes and the smile of delight on her lips when he kissed them. But if anyone found the picture it would ruin her, and she was his to protect.

* * *

Excitement over Louisa's come out turned dinner into a raucous affair causing him to threaten to leave the younger girls at home with an army of servants to watch over them. “I will not have my sisters acting like a bunch of sad romps. In two days, I shall depart to go hunting.” He fixed the three younger girls with a firm look. “If your behavior has not improved by then, only Louisa will go to Town.”

From the corner of his eye, he saw Patience's lips twitch and had to clamp his own tightly together. “Louisa, you may excuse yourself and take your sisters with you.”

Louisa opened her mouth, shut it, and glanced at the other girls. “Come along. We can play jackstraws until it's time for bed.”

Once they'd left, Matt glanced at Patience. “To whom are you going for Louisa's gowns?”

“Oh, I thought Miss Lilly.”

“No, she's not fashionable enough. I'll write to a friend of mine and arrange an introduction to Madame Lisette.”

Patience's jaw dropped. “Worthington, I—why did you never tell me you could—Madame Lisette. Hardly anyone can get in to see her. But could you manage it?” She eyed him closely. “Is your friend respectable?”

He sat up, affronted. “Of course she's respectable. It's Lady Rutherford. She buys all her gowns from Madame. Lady Evesham does as well.”

“But they are two of the most—”

“Yes, fashionably dressed young matrons on the Town. I am not such a fribble as you think, ma'am.”

“I never thought any such a thing.” Patience lifted her chin. “I just didn't realize you were so interested in women's fashion.”

Not understanding her, he drew his brows together. What man wouldn't be fascinated in the clothing that allows women to be so enticing? “Many men are. Why should I be any different?”

Patience shrugged. “I just never think of you being in the petticoat line, but thank you very much. Who wouldn't want her daughter dressed in the latest style?”

He grinned. “It is a matter of family pride. She is my sister after all.” Matt broadened his smile. “Whoever she marries may not thank me though.”

His stepmother's eyes twinkled. “Madame Lisette is very expensive. You're a good brother.”

Matt signaled for the port to be set on the table. “Now that that's settled, you can help me find my bride.”

He rose when Patience left, then sat back down and poured a glass of port. Who else could he ask who was discreet enough to help him find her? Anna would, although if his lady hadn't been to Town in a while, she might be too young to know her. Phoebe would probably have met his lady. He'd talk to her when he got to Town.