Page 36 of The Sprinter
Grace had comedownstairs at seven, long before her usual time. She’d slept restlessly and had finally given up on it. She’d dressed herself in a simple muslin gown with not too many buttons and got her hair in some semblance of order, leaving Betsy to her bed. She’d become expert at the operation during those long months in the dower house and she saw no reason to rouse Betsy at such an hour.
She’d slipped into the drawing room and retreated to what she thought of as thecozy cornerwith a rather lurid novel in hand that she’d found on Lady Heathway’s shelves. Apparently, every old house in the remote countryside of England was haunted, or seemed haunted, or someone attempted to make it seem haunted, and the house’s hapless visitor was always an innocent young lady who’d landed herself in a haunted house through very improbable circumstances.
The alcove housed a soft bench with a padded back, all covered in cream velvet. There was not a pretty view out the window, as it overlooked a narrow alleyway and faced the brick of the house next door. However, it had the advantage of being out of sight of the rest of the room. At this early hour, a housemaid was bound to come in to straighten up and finding Grace there would only discompose the girl. As she knew from Betsy, servants liked to do their work without being stared at and there were times a family really ought to get themselves out of the way.
Grace heard the door open and stayed quiet as a church mouse so as not to irritate whichever maid had come in.
To her surprise, it was Lady Heathway’s voice she heard. She almost rose to join her, but then she heard Lord Gresham’s voice too.
What did he do here so early? At the same time she wondered about that, she also thought what a lovely timbre there was to his voice. It was deep, as many men’s voices were, but it had a particular richness and tone that was all its own. And then, at the same time she thought aboutthat, she reminded herself of her vow the night before. The time for being an impractical fool was over.
“I know why you wished to see me so early in the day, George,” Lady Heathway said cheerfully.
“You do?”
“Naturally. You wish to congratulate me, and Miss Yardley of course, on our triumph of last evening. We, or rather she, was spectacular. Nobody could deny it. I defy them to do it.”
Grace was flattered by the sentiment, but now what? Should she show herself after she’d managed to overhear a compliment? It seemed rather awkward.
“I am sure you are very proud, Aunt. I did have another thing in mind, though.”
There was a long pause and Grace presumed Lady Heathway waited expectantly.
“Is Miss Yardley likely to come downstairs soon?” Lord Gresham asked.
“I doubt it, she generally would descend an hour from now. Did you wish to see her?”
“No, no,” Lord Gresham said hurriedly. “I wished to have a confidential conversation about her and would not wish for her to walk in on it.”
Grace was frozen. She could not reveal herself now, but to fail to do so… But why should he wish to have a secret conversation about her? Had he heard some new rumor?
“Gracious,” Lady Heathway said, “you do look serious. You’d better just come out with it. Though, if it is to do with that Jacobs fellow, I’m likely to call the carriage, arrive at his house, and hit him over the head.”
“No, nothing to do with that. It is just…I know what pleasure you have taken, having brought Miss Yardley under your wing, and I say nothing against it.”
Grace could feel her heart pounding. It was clear enough he was about to say what hewasagainst, in regard to Miss Yardley.
“And, I know you would consider it a feather in your cap were she to make a good match.”
“The final and most glorious feather, if you must know it,” Lady Heathway said.
“Yes, of course it would be a feather in your cap. But perhaps that feather ought to be delayed. I do not think Miss Yardley is yet ready for such a serious step. She is too young and far too naïve.”
Grace felt her cheeks flame, while Lady Heathway laughed at the notion. “My dear nephew, every lady who marries at a sensible age is young and naïve. If anybody was ever old enough to rationally consider what marriage is, they’d never do it.”
“That is a startling notion,” Lord Gresham said. “But I was thinking, Aunt, what if it were better to allow Miss Yardley a second season? In between, she might come to you in the country, and perhaps even for Christmas. It would seem to me that would not only be to the advantage of Miss Yardley, but for you too. I think you would rather enjoy a second season with your protégé.”
“Well, of course I would,” Lady Heathway said softly. “It would be a delight.”
“You see? That is what I say. Simply don’t encourage her toward anybody and let her know that a second season is anticipated.”
“But George, what if she is to get a good offer? Lord Ryland seems to admire her. He is a marquess. If he were to go forward, I really do not—”
“Ryland is not right for Miss Yardley,” Lord Gresham said, interrupting his aunt. “He, well he is not, he is too worldly, I think.”
“Do you really think so?” Lady Heathway asked.
“I really do.”
