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Grace gazed at herself in the mirror as she brushed her hair. Her restless night, tossing and turning in bed, had resulted in her hair being tied in knots. She had followed Calum’s quiet request to leave her hair down to dry because he pretended to care if she would fall ill. Also, because she wanted to please him.
When had her feelings for Calum shifted from annoyance to this unrequited longing? How would she ever face him after the intimacy they shared? Did her actions show her in a poor light? Did the kiss give him a reason for an immediate dismissal?
Grace grew anxious at the possibility of the shame Calum could bestow upon her. She needed to remind herself that he was not Calum but Lockhart. She must put the kiss behind her and focus on her future. As soon as she heard from Vivian, she would plan an escape. She would honor her commitment to Lady Lockhart. However, once an opportunity arose for her to leave, she would flee like the coward she was. For now, she must focus on the children and keep them from drawing their brother’s attention. At least in the negative sense.
She finished braiding her hair and grabbed her shawl. The manor had taken a chill with winter drawing near. Yesterday, they had enjoyed a warm spell, and it was the reason she had allowed the children to convince her to take a walk. Unfortunately, Mother Nature showed how she changed her mind with the rain.
Yesterday had started promising, then escalated into a nightmare and ended with a memorable outcome. But she must never allow it to happen again. No matter how much Calum Lockhart tempted her. Or how the promise of his kiss lured her to abandon all common sense.
Grace entered the nursery ready to redeem herself, but it was empty. The books sat on the desks, ready for her to teach a lesson, but no children filled the chairs with their antsy bodies. She turned to walk down the hallway and peeked into their bedchambers to find them empty too.
She hurried down the stairs in fear her replacement had arrived early. Grace might have made plans to leave as soon as possible, but when faced with the possibility of leaving the children, she grew sad. She never wanted to leave them because she loved them as if they were her own siblings. Grace rubbed at her chest where her heart ached.
“Are you unwell, Miss Penrose?” Douglas asked from behind her.
Grace swung around, pulling her hands behind her so he couldn’t see them shaking. “Yes.” She paused to gather her composure. “I mean no.”
“May I be of assistance?”
Grace smiled. “I am looking for the children.”
“They are helping to clean the stones in the garden from yesterday’s debacle. Lady Lockhart asked me to inform you that you may have the morning to yourself. The children will be ready for their lessons after luncheon,” Douglas explained.
“Then the tutor has yet to arrive?” Grace asked.
Douglas’s eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Tutor?”
“Yes. Lord Lockhart informed me yesterday.”
“Ah, yes, the tutor. No. He has not arrived yet.”
It was a butler’s duty to always appear well-informed, even if they were not. This new development was a matter he must discuss with Lady Lockhart.
Grace nodded in accordance. She still had time to enjoy the children. “Thank you. I believe I will change my clothing and join the children in their punishment since I helped to cause the destruction.”
“A feat they accomplished on their own accord,” Douglas mumbled under his breath.
Before Grace could ask him to repeat himself, Lockhart spoke from behind them. “No. You will not help them. That is their punishment. Not only for the destruction they caused but for showing you disrespect by involving you in their mischief. Miss Penrose, you will join me as I offer apologies to Lady Fyfe and her daughter for the disgrace my family showed them. A fitting punishment for you to seek forgiveness for.”
Placing herself alone with Lockhart was an unwise choice, but she couldn’t disagree with him in front of the other servants without causing speculation. She only hoped a chaperone accompanied them.
“Will your mother be joining us?” Grace inquired.
“No. Please send a servant to gather Miss Penrose’s bonnet and coat,” Lockhart ordered Douglas.
“I will gather them myself.” Grace felt horrified that Lockhart expected another servant to wait on her.
“No, you will not.” Lockhart pulled on his gloves.
She might suffer discomfort at another servant gathering her belongings, but it was nothing compared to the outrage coursing through her at Lockhart’s arrogance. How dare he make it more uncomfortable for her at Lockhart Manor. Now the other servants would consider her above reproach and would respond in an unfriendly manner toward her.
Lucy, an upstairs maid, rushed down the staircase with Grace’s coat, gloves, and a bonnet. She helped Grace tie the bonnet and slide on her gloves.
When Lucy held her coat out for Grace to slip her arms into, Lockhart grabbed it from the maid’s hand. “Thank you, Lucy. That will be all.”
Lucy’s eyes widened, and her gaze darted to Grace. Grace’s face grew warm at how the servants would construe Lockhart’s attention toward her. Lucy rushed away, leaving Grace to deal with Lockhart alone. She took a deep breath, biting her tongue once again to keep her temper in check.
Lockhart cocked his eyebrow, holding out Grace’s coat. “Grace, I would like to make this visit before the storm approaches.”
His soft tone and gracious manners contradicted how his lips lifted into a smirk. Grace slid her arms inside the coat and buttoned it swiftly before he offered to help. The sooner they settled in the carriage, the sooner she could reprimand him for his behavior. She lifted her chin and strode out the door the footman held open for them. She bristled at how Lockhart chuckled his amusement behind her.
The footman stepped away from the carriage once they approached. Instead of offering his assistance, Lockhart stepped forward and lifted her inside, placing her on the seat. Then he sat across from her and tapped the roof to instruct the driver to leave. The carriage jerked, sending Grace flying forward. Lockhart caught her and set her back on the seat, placing her hand on the strap before she landed in his lap.
The horses thundered down the road, making it impossible to hold a conversation. However, hanging on to keep herself from tumbling into Lockhart’s lap allowed Grace to form an argument. She wanted to scold him for his behavior and how it would affect her once they returned from an outing where a chaperone should’ve been present. She might not hold the title of a lady, but she was unwed and alone with a gentleman. What remained of her reputation Lockhart destroyed with his arrogance.
“You are quite glorious when you are in a snit.” Lockhart smirked at Grace from across the carriage.
The carriage hit a rut in the road, bouncing Grace upward. She grabbed the other strap, glaring at Lockhart. How he rested with a casual ease on the bench with no support only added to Grace’s irritation.
“Must we ride at such a maddening pace?”
Lockhart ignored her question. “Also very adorable.”
“My lord, I am not in a snit,” Grace gritted out in defense. “You must refrain from pursuing this line of conversation.”
Lockhart continued to tease Grace. “I prefer when you call me Calum.”
“A mistake on my part that I shall not make again. ‘Tis above my station and most inappropriate.”
“Nonetheless, I most enjoy it. Also, we are alone, so no one is the wiser.” He winked at Grace.
Grace sputtered at his audacity, his playfulness catching her off guard. “Lord Lockhart, you have already placed me at a disadvantage with how you treated me before we left. There is no plausible explanation to offer the servants. I refuse to make my situation more unbearable than it already is.” Grace paused before continuing with her tirade. “The servants will now treat me with scorn for believing I am above them. Why did you place me in this predicament? Is it revenge for the kiss we shared? Or are you still upset because of my involvement in the children’s tricks? For either reason, I do not deserve such treatment. You have already dismissed my services, forcing me to find employment elsewhere. What more do you want from me? Do you wish for me to bleed for my mistakes?”
Yes. When riled, Grace was an amazing creature to behold. He enjoyed her lecture more than he should have. But damn if she didn’t sparkle with indignation and her cheeks colored to a flattering pink. He’d had all intentions of avoiding her. However, when he overheard her plans to join the children, he had decided she should accompany him to the Fyfes. An act that would draw questions and held the possibility of turning into a rumor. However, he couldn’t resist spending time with Grace.
Even now, he wished to undo her bonnet and take apart her braid again. He preferred her hair loose and flowing around her shoulders. He always admired Grace from afar while she played with the children in the garden. The style suited her better than the matronly look she wore today.
Lockhart glanced out the window. “There is no need for such dramatics, Grace.”
“Miss Penrose,” Grace bit out.
Lockhart chuckled. “I much prefer Grace. Nor is there a need for such formality. Especially after the intimacy we shared.”
Grace blushed a bright red at the mention of their kiss. Her mouth opened and closed in her attempt to speak. However, she couldn’t form a coherent reply. Another fault to add to Lockhart’s behavior toward her today. While staring at his smug expression, Grace realized it did not matter how she defended herself or how she reprimanded him. She was the source of Lockhart’s amusement.
Grace pinched her lips, refusing to fall for his bait. She would endure the rest of the outing in silence. After she offered her apologies to Lady Fyfe and her daughter, she would return to the carriage and wait for Lockhart to finish his visit. On her return, she would offer an explanation that hopefully pacified the other servants. She crossed her fingers and prayed that a letter from Vivian awaited on her return.
The carriage rolled to a stop near a grand manor that stretched across a few acres on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The Fyfes were a very influential family in Scotland and held the power to ruin anyone they did not find acceptable. Grace couldn’t afford to offend them, and she feared her very presence would. However, Lockhart would refuse to listen to any of her objections, which put her at risk of never securing another position with a prominent family.
Footmen waited to assist them from the carriage. But like at Lockhart Manor, Lockhart helped Grace from the carriage. As they walked up the steps and into the foyer, he rested her hand on his arm as if she were his wife, not the governess to his siblings. He even assisted with the removal of her outerwear, passing them off to a maid. Lockhart made it impossible for her to remain inconspicuous. His every action today drew attention toward her. The man was insufferable.
“If you follow me, Lady Fyfe will see you in the parlor.” The butler strode off, expecting them to follow.
Grace held back, wanting to follow behind Lockhart. Except he placed her hand back on his arm and guided them to the parlor.
“Lord Lockhart, what a welcome surprise. I told Beatrice what a delight it was to visit with you yesterday and how you would not surprise us if you called on us soon,” Lady Fyfe gushed.
Lockhart dropped Grace’s arm and bowed. “Thank you for the warm welcome. It is more than I deserved after the treatment you received from my siblings as you departed yesterday.”
Grace moved back behind Lockhart to hide. Lady Fyfe had yet to acknowledge her, and she hoped the lady hadn’t noticed how they had entered the parlor so close together.
Lady Fyfe sniffed. “A travesty that unsettled our nerves most profoundly. I hope you had the sense to dismiss the insubordinate governess. I am astounded by how she subjected your dear siblings to her poor choices.”
Lockhart pulled Grace from behind him. “As a matter of fact, that is the reason for our visit. Miss Penrose and I wish to extend our apologies for the ill-treatment you received yesterday.”
Grace dropped into a curtsy, keeping her gaze lowered. “Please accept my apology for your fright. I hope you can find it in your heart to hold no ill regards toward the children. They meant no harm.”
Lady Fyfe huffed. “Of course, they meant no harm. It revealed how your corrupt decisions influence those dear souls.”
Grace nodded. “Yes, my lady.”
“You might have apologized, but I understand your intentions. Do not think I have not heard the rumors surrounding you and your friends. I only hope Lord Lockhart has the good sense not to allow you to sink your claws into him the way your friend did with Lord Courtland.”
Grace stood with her hands folded in front of her with a polite expression on her face while Lady Fyfe slandered her character. She couldn’t defend herself when the lady only spoke the truth. By kissing Lockhart the night before, she only brought truth to the rumor she had escaped London from. The lie of how her position as a governess was only to provide a disguise for her presence in a household now held truth. And Lockhart’s attentiveness toward her today only proved the legitimacy of the rumor. Lockhart’s silence during Lady Fyfe’s rant left Grace with little doubt that he viewed her in the same light.
Lady Fyfe waved her hand toward the door. “You have spoken a false apology that I refuse to accept. You are dismissed and can wait for Lord Lockhart outdoors.”
Lockhart grabbed Grace’s wrist, stopping her from leaving. “You speak with harsh criticism towards a lady you know nothing about. Miss Penrose is an excellent governess who displays patience and compassion toward my siblings, who at times do not deserve her kindness. Nor does she deserve the accusations you deliver about her character.”
“Why—” Lady Fyfe gasped, affronted at his defense of Grace.
“We arrived here in good faith with hopes you would be gracious in accepting our apologies. But you have only provided us with your ungracious manners. I believe you could learn a few from Miss Penrose.” Lockhart bowed again. “Good day, Lady Fyfe and Lady Beatrice.”
Lockhart strode from the parlor with quick strides, pulling Grace along with him. He needed to distance himself from the snobbery of Lady Fyfe before he informed her exactly what he thought of her character. She had the nerve to speak with disrespect toward Grace and treat her with vulgar disdain. Especially when Grace had offered a kindhearted apology and stood there with poise while Lady Fyfe slayed her character. He refused to listen to another word.
The butler must have overheard their conversation because a maid and footman waited with their belongings in the foyer. Lockhart helped Grace with her coat before donning his own. Then he gathered her hand and marched them to the carriage. He wanted to depart before he returned to the parlor and delivered a set-down Lady Fyfe would never recover from.
After he helped Grace into the carriage, he glanced at the dark clouds moving with speed across the sky. They needed to leave before they found themselves caught in the storm. He settled across from Grace as the roar of thunder shook the carriage. He tapped a signal on the roof to ride with due haste.
Lockhart stared at Grace with her eyes closed. He wanted her to open them so he could determine her mood. Her posture gave nothing away. She sat with her back straight, and her hands enclosed in fists next to her side, the only indication of her fury.
“Grace?”