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“I thought I would find you here,” Cameron drawled, sauntering into the private room of the club.
“Sod off,” Lockhart slurred.
Could he not have a moment of peace to himself? He had escaped to his club to remove himself from temptation and avoid his family. He had tolerated the visit from Courtland and Somerville out of respect and necessity. However, his brother’s appearance meant only one thing. It was a summons to return home.
Cameron settled into the leather armchair and stretched his legs out, getting comfortable. His brother had no intention of leaving soon. Lockhart must endure the torment. At least he had half a bottle of whiskey left to drink. He had drunk enough that anything Cameron uttered would only become a muddled thought.
Cameron folded his hands across his chest. “I would, but I am under the strict order of our mother to pass along a message.”
Lockhart narrowed his gaze and took a healthy swallow. “Get on with it.”
Cameron had the audacity to laugh at him. Lockhart growled at his brother’s silence. Only Cameron could annoy him to the extent of losing his patience, a trait he no longer held thanks to one blonde-haired vixen.
“I stopped by your room, but your valet informed me where I could find you.”
Lockhart scoffed. “Obviously. You are sitting across from me.”
Cameron leaned over and poured himself a glass of whiskey, taking a sip. “A good year.”
“State your point and be off with yourself,” Lockhart growled.
“Your valet also informed me about how you have been unwell.”
“As you can see, I am in fine health.”
“That is open for debate,” Cameron mumbled before taking another sip. “However, I found it quite a coincidence you held the same inflection Grace suffered from this past week.”
Lockhart was well aware of Grace’s illness. He had received multiple reports about her recovery throughout his days away. His guilt was another reason he stayed away. It only proved his actions toward Grace were not in her best interest. Especially when his thoughts were consumed by how he wished to make love to her.
“Are you not even going to inquire about Grace’s recovery?”
Lockhart sat forward in the chair with an anxious expression. “Has she taken a relapse?”
Cameron smirked. “I thought so.”
“You thought what? Never mind. Answer me. Is Grace well?” Lockhart demanded.
Cameron rested the glass on the table. “Yes. Grace is doing much better. However, I am left to wonder if Grace shared your company in the garden when she got caught in the rain. It would explain a lot of unanswered questions as to why you have avoided your family. I thought to myself, Calum would not let his decision to dismiss Grace keep him from his home. He would stand firm with his decision. But he would stay away if he compromised his governess.”
“Quiet,” Lockhart gritted between his teeth as he stormed across the room and slammed the door. “Do you want to ruin what reputation Grace has remaining with your obnoxious thoughts?”
“Remaining?”
Lockhart speared his hands through his hair in frustration. “Yes. Lady Fyfe is spreading false rumors all across Edinburgh about Grace’s behavior. She has implied Grace has set her sight on becoming my marchioness.”
“That old biddy has always been vindictive. How are you stopping these rumors?”
Lockhart paced across the room. “I can do nothing until Lord Fyfe returns home. If I defend Grace, then the rumors that she escaped London will resurface and draw more attention to her.”
Cameron pounded his fist on the arm of the chair. “Still, we must take action to deflect the rumors.”
“’Tis why I have stayed away,” Lockhart explained.
“Well, your time has ended today. Mother’s orders are for you to return home this evening and dine with the family. She will not tolerate your absence any longer,” Cameron stated.
His mother did not hold the patience of a saint. If he didn’t return with Cameron, then his mother would invade his sanctuary with a visit. It would not matter that they didn’t allow women on their premises. Lady Lockhart would shoulder her way inside and force her agenda. He would have to obey his mother’s demand or have his membership revoked. The establishment had already warned him the last time his mother attempted such a feat. The club would not hesitate to follow through with their threat.
“You can inform our mother I will return for this evening’s dinner.”
Cameron clapped. “Excellent.” He rose and tugged on his coat sleeves. “I shall see you at home.”
Lockhart frowned. “Where are you off to?”
Cameron paused. “I promised Grace I would not take too long. I need to collect her and the children before the outing wears her out.”
“You allowed Grace to visit the park? Are you mad?” Lockhart roared.
“It is not my place to dictate Grace’s actions. Also, she has looked forward to this visit. I do not see the harm in allowing her a breath of fresh air and lively conversation.”
“It is, of course, your place when I am not present. I expect you to take charge of the family when I am incapable of doing so.”
Cameron scoffed. “Well, there lies the problem. You are more than capable of controlling the family. Which, I might add, you have done so with your daily correspondence with Douglas. ‘Tis not my fault you choose to hide away.”
“I am not hiding away,” Lockhart grumbled. An utter lie that hopefully his brother would not call him out on. However, he would not be so lucky.
“Bollocks!” Cameron guffawed.
Cameron did not elaborate, and Lockhart refused to allow him the chance to state his opinion. He brushed past Cameron and flung open the door, striding through the club at a swift pace. When he reached outside, he directed his steps toward the park.
“I advise you to return to your club until you have sobered. Nothing good will come of you storming the park,” Cameron suggested.
Lockhart lengthened his strides. “I am not storming the park. I am seeing to Grace’s welfare.”
“You are behaving as a blithering oaf who is on the verge of causing a scandal,” Cameron argued.
Lockhart no longer paid any attention to Cameron’s argument because Grace was within his view. He came to a halt as he gazed at her beauty. She was a vision before him, and he had missed her with an unbearable ache. The spell she held him under still mystified him. Her cheeks had reddened from the chill in the air, but a smile graced her lovely features as she laughed with her friends.
Finlay called her name, and she glanced at the children playing. She started clapping and cheering them on. The sound of her encouragement was a welcoming balm. He had missed listening to her interact with his siblings. He also missed the bite of her tongue as she argued with him.
Cameron barreled into him, almost knocking them both to the ground. After he regained his balance, Lockhart took off toward Grace again. She had pulled the blanket wrapped around her higher to her chin, showing she was cold.
The stubborn lass held no sense about her welfare. She needed a caretaker.
“Calum,” Cameron hissed behind him.
Lockhart stood over Grace with his hands balled into fists to keep himself from touching her. “Miss Penrose, you are leaving this instant.”
Grace gasped at Lockhart’s looming presence. “Once the children finish playing, we will depart.”
“I did not make a suggestion but issued an order.”
Grace bristled under Lockhart’s demand. “My lord, there is no reason for us to leave early. The children finished their lessons before we left.”
Lockhart leaned over to where his face was within an inch of Grace’s. Close enough to brush a kiss across her lips. To give her his warmth. “I do not need a reason, Miss Penrose. Your position only requires you to follow my orders.”
Grace gritted her teeth at his arrogant demand. “An order I refuse on the grounds that I only remain in this position as a favor to your mother. I only answer to her and no one else. Especially you.”
“You are still ill and should rest in bed. If you will not see reason, you leave me no choice,” Lockhart threatened.
Vivian rose, placing herself between Lockhart and Grace. “Lord Lockhart, perhaps you should wait for Grace near the carriage?” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “You are attracting an audience with your behavior, one that will cause whispers to carry about Grace.”
Lockhart would have considered Lady Courtland’s suggestion if Grace hadn’t had a sneezing fit that turned into a cough. He no longer cared who might witness his abrasive behavior. He only cared about Grace’s health. In time, everyone would gossip about another unfortunate soul. For now, he must return Grace to their home so she could rest.
“Please step aside, Lady Courtland,” Lockhart requested with what patience he had remaining. When she moved aside, he lifted Grace into his arms. “You can follow in my carriage with the children,” Lockhart ordered his brother before he strode away.
“Poor Grace,” Sara whispered.
“Oh my. Lady Lockhart will not take kindly to your brother’s actions,” Vivian mused.
Cameron smirked as he watched his brother make a fool out of himself. “I believe my mother will consider Lockhart’s behavior successful in her plans.”
Vivian’s eyes widened. “She withheld Grace’s letter on purpose.”
Cameron looked over his shoulder at the ladies sitting on the bench and winked at them.
Vivian patted the empty seat next to her. “Please take a seat, Lord Lockhart. We have much to discuss.”
Cameron settled on the wooden bench. “Yes, we do. Shall we begin with you promising me an introduction to your lovely sister?”
Vivian narrowed her gaze. “I will consider it. But only after you inform us of your mother’s plans.”
Cameron’s grin widened. “It will be my pleasure.”
Cameron spent the next hour telling Grace’s friends about his mother’s plans for the governess. He assured them how much his family loved Grace and wanted her as one of their own. Also, he told them about how he felt his brother loved Grace deeply but fought against his feelings. However, now they lay too close to the surface to deny any longer.
His rash behavior only proved the depth of his love.