CHAPTER 35

December 7, 1918

Dearest Grace,

How my heart bursts with joy and sorrow in equal measure. Two days ago, I gave birth to a son. A beautiful baby boy who will never know his father. I endured eighteen hours of labor, but when the midwife put him in my arms, it all became worthwhile. Never have I felt such overwhelming love. I named him Christian Francis—Christian in honor of the faith that sustains me—and Francis after his father. If only Frank could be here to meet his son.

While the entire household was in an uproar with preparations for the wedding, Grace sat numbly in the rocking chair, watching Christian play with his toys on the rug, and tried not to imagine Andrew dressing for his bride. Her stomach twisted every time she thought of him shaving off his beard to please Cecilia and not wearing his glasses for the same reason.

Did he not see that he was denying his true self by marrying her?

And what did that mean for Christian?

Grace no longer held any illusion that Andrew would be able to keep Cecilia from going through with her plans for the boy. The woman was right about her ability to get her own way, even if she had to resort to underhanded tactics to achieve it. Somehow Cecilia would convince Andrew that boarding school was best for Christian.

The more Grace thought about it, the more certain she became that for the sake of Christian’s well-being, she had to take action. And it would have to be today when everyone was too distracted to notice the nanny and her ward.

By 10:40, the house would be empty, since even the servants were going to the cathedral to watch the wedding. The ceremony would take about an hour, at which time the staff would return to Fairlawn and resume their workday, while the other guests attended the wedding reception in the ballroom of the Easton Towers Hotel.

By then, Grace and Christian would be gone.

Grace bided her time until Christian went down for a nap, then she pulled a small valise from the top shelf of the closet. With shaking hands, she filled it with as much of the baby’s things as it could contain and stored it back in the closet.

Leaving the connecting door open, Grace gathered her own things, most of which she had already packed in her suitcase, knowing she would be leaving Fairlawn in the near future. For once she was grateful for so few belongings.

She’d just returned to the nursery when the door opened, and Serena entered.

She observed Grace’s attire with a frown. “Mrs. Easton sent me to see if you’d be bringing Christian to the church.”

With effort, Grace kept her expression neutral. She’d rather poke a fork into her eye than witness Andrew pledge his life to another woman, but Mrs. Easton didn’t know that. “Christian has been fussy all night. He has a bit of a fever and may be teething. I think it’s best to keep him home.”

Serena hesitated in the doorway. “Very well. I’ll let her know.”

“Thank you, Serena. Enjoy the wedding.” How Grace managed to fib so smoothly and then smile about it, she had no idea. But she was banking on the fact that no one would challenge her decision an hour before the wedding.

She was right. No one else bothered her, and finally, after the flurry of footsteps in the hall died away, the main door slammed shut. Grace waited a few seconds, then crossed the hall to the guest room and peered out the window that overlooked the front of the house. From there, she watched the entourage leave the property. When everyone had departed, she waited another ten minutes in case someone had forgotten something, and then returned to her room.

She removed her apron, folded it and laid it neatly on the bed, then pinned her straw hat in place. As she donned her wrap, she took one last look around the room she’d lived in for the past several months before collecting her valise and returning to the nursery. Thanking her good fortune that Christian had awakened from his nap in a good humor, she picked him out of the crib, grabbed his small bag, and checked the room for anything she might have forgotten. The photo of Rose and Frank on their wedding day stared back at her.

“I’m doing this for you, Rose,” she whispered.

On impulse, she grabbed the picture and stuffed it in the satchel she wore over her shoulder. A lump rose in her throat. How she would miss this room, where she’d experienced such a sense of peace and love. With a last fortifying breath, she pushed back any traces of regret. There was no point in dwelling on what could never be.

“Ready for an adventure, sweetheart?” She kissed Christian’s cheek and walked out of the nursery for the last time.

Grace chose the rear staircase on the off chance that someone might return. Her footsteps echoed in the empty stairway, making her painfully aware they were alone in the house. She wished she’d had the chance to say good-bye to Mrs. Hopkins, who had been so kind to her. She would have liked to have seen Mrs. Easton too, but how could she face the woman, knowing she was taking away her grandchild—the only reminder of her son?

Think about Cecilia, Grace. And the horrible life she has planned for Christian. You’re doing this for him and for Rose. Remember that.

Before leaving, there was one more thing she needed to do. On tiptoe, she made her way down the corridor leading to the library. The loud ticking of the grandfather clock reverberated through the main floor. Grace entered the room, crossed quickly to Mr. Easton’s desk, and scanned the neat desktop. As Andrew had promised, an envelope bearing her name sat in plain view, bulging with her last wages and what she expected was likely a bonus. She stuffed it into her satchel and headed to the side entrance. Once outside, she inhaled the now familiar scent of roses that drifted over from the garden, one she would forever associate with Fairlawn and with Andrew.

Christian was already becoming heavy in her arms. How she wished she could take the pram, but it would only end up being a hindrance, another way for them to track her down.

“Grace! Why are you not at the church?” Toby’s loud voice rang out behind her.

She froze. Cold chills shot through her body. What was he doing here? He was supposed to be outside the church, waiting to drive the Eastons to the reception.

She pasted on a smile as she turned, willing her knees not to shake. “Christian is a little cranky. I didn’t think they needed a wailing baby to interrupt the ceremony.”

Toby came closer, frowning. “He looks happy enough now. I could drive you over if you’d like.” He seemed to be studying her. Did he suspect something?

Panic clutched at Grace’s throat. She didn’t have time to waste. If she missed the eleven o’clock streetcar, she’d have to wait thirty minutes for the next one. “Thank you, but no. I’m going to take him for a walk. The fresh air always makes him feel better.”

There was no way around it now. She’d have to take the pram.

Toby followed her over to where the baby carriage was parked. “I could come with you. I don’t have to be back to the church for a while.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Toby.” She laid Christian in the pram and arranged the blankets over him, then she placed the bags in the boot of the pram. She turned to face him. “If you’ll excuse me.” Everything depended on her getting rid of him as soon as possible.

He stared at her satchel and the other cases she’d stowed in the pram. “If you’re just going for a walk, why do you have so many bags?”

Bile rose in the back of her throat. She tried to appear nonchalant. “I’m going to visit Mrs. Chamberlain, and I thought I’d bring some of the things I won’t be needing over to the boardinghouse. Less to move later on.”

“That’s a long way away.” Suspicion laced his words.

Of course he would remember driving her there once before. Her hands shook as she lifted the brake and pulled the carriage out onto the walkway. “A nice long walk is exactly what I need today.”

“It’s Andrew, isn’t it? He’s the one you’re in love with.”

Grace stilled, her heart battering her rib cage. If Toby had figured it out, did everyone else know as well? She raised her eyes to his, neither confirming nor denying his claim.

He stared at her for a second, then nodded. “I thought so. No wonder you don’t want to go to the church.”

At the pity on his face, the emotions she’d worked so hard to repress swirled through her chest. “I really need to get going.”

His hand clamped down on her arm. “Don’t do anything foolish, Grace. Something you can’t take back.” His green eyes bore into hers.

She jerked her arm away from him. “Please forget you ever saw me, Toby. It will be better for everyone that way.”

Blinking hard, she pushed the pram into motion and headed down the drive at a fast clip. Before she passed through the iron gates, she peered over her shoulder.

Toby stood motionless where she’d left him, watching her go.

Andrew paced the floor of the anteroom in the cathedral, his nerves stretched to a thin line. His two work colleagues, who would serve as groomsmen, laughed at something on the far side of the room. Watching them, Andrew had never felt more alone. His thoughts turned to Ginny. How he missed her wit, her quirky sense of humor, her unwavering support. Despite the residual anger at what she’d done, Andrew wished she could be here to share his wedding day. What words of wisdom would she have given him to help him through these last few minutes before he committed his life to a woman he didn’t love?

A humorless laugh rose in his chest, but he quickly stifled it. Neither she nor Frank would ever have found themselves in such a position. They had married the people they loved, despite the obstacles in their way.

Too bad Andrew didn’t have that luxury.

His father poked his head inside the door. “Everything under control in here?”

As Andrew’s best man, Father was keeping busy by making sure all the details on the groom’s side were handled.

“We’re fine. Is the church filling up?”

“Filled to the rafters.” His father beamed. “According to the society page in the Star, this will be the wedding of the season. After Virginia’s elopement, I never thought the press would report anything favorable about us again, but fortunately, these events sell newspapers. We must remember to let them take your photograph after the ceremony.”

Andrew attempted a smile, but couldn’t quite manage it. Still, he was grateful he had given his parents this day of happiness. After the fiasco with Virginia, he’d worried that his father’s heart might give out under the strain, and that his mother might never leave her room.

“I’ll go and check on your mother again, and then it will be time to start. The car arrived with Cecilia and her parents a few minutes ago.”

Andrew’s stomach churned. “I’m ready whenever she is.”

Liar.

He turned to the small rectangular window that overlooked a side garden. Too small to provide any manner of escape. Through a clear section of the refracted glass, he could see an array of rosebushes that lined the fence. Immediately, an image of Grace in the garden came to his mind with haunting clarity—the way she’d smiled as she held the rose petals to her nose. The way the moonlight had cast its spell over her flawless features. The way she’d filled his world with joy.

A dull ache radiated out from his chest. I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I, Lord? Honoring my father and mother?

Then why did he feel so wretched?

A knock sounded on the outer door, jarring him from his foolish memories.

“Come in.”

Toby McDonald stepped inside. He pulled off his chauffeur’s cap and ran his fingers around the brim, his eyes darting around the room. “Excuse me, Mr. Easton. Could I have a brief word with you?”

Andrew frowned. “What could be so important that you would interrupt me minutes before I’m to be married?”

McDonald glanced at the two other men. “It’s a personal matter, sir.”

“Then I suggest it can wait for a more appropriate time. Or you can take it up with my father while I’m on my honeymoon.” Anger churned like acid in his gut. He strode back to the window.

“It’s about Miss Foley.”

Andrew stiffened, each vertebrae solidifying to send pain shooting through his body. He couldn’t bear to talk about Grace today.

“You should know that she’s in love with you,” he said quietly.

Andrew jerked his head around. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. How the devil could Toby know that? And even if it were true, it was much too late now.

“That’s not all,” Toby went on. “I have some important information that I need to tell you in private.”

Andrew glared at the man. The last thing he needed right now was any more drama.

“Please. Two minutes is all I’m asking.”

Andrew blasted out a breath. “Charlie, Brent, could you give us a minute?”

When the two had left the room, he turned to the chauffeur. “Spit it out.”

Toby gripped his cap, wetting his lips before he began. “You’ve a right to know the type of woman you’re about to marry.”

“How would you know anything about Cecilia? You’ve never even spoken to the woman.”

“Oh, but I have. On the night of Mrs. Easton’s birthday, Miss Carmichael approached me in the kitchen. Said she had a job for me.” He paused. “She offered me a sizable amount of money to seduce Grace. She wanted to ruin Grace’s character so she’d be fired.”

Andrew’s jaw fell open, his brain grasping to process what he’d said. “I don’t believe you.”

“What reason would I have to lie?” Toby’s eyes were steely. “When I refused her offer, she was furious. But then she said she’d figure out another way to do it. Whatever that meant.”

Andrew clenched his back teeth together. His mind flew to the incident with the necklace in Grace’s room. Had that been her alternate plan when Toby wouldn’t cooperate? Celia’s tears and pleadings had convinced Andrew she’d made a mistake, but had it all been an act just to mollify him?

“If you’re in love with Grace too,” Toby continued, “I thought you should have the chance to do something about it before it’s too late.”

Andrew threw out his hands in exasperation. “It is too late. There are five hundred people in that church waiting to witness my marriage.”

“So rather than face embarrassment, you’d marry a woman who could be that deliberately cruel to another person?” Toby gave him a look of disgust, then rammed his cap back on his head. “Probably just as well. You don’t deserve someone as fine as Grace.”

He stalked toward the door, opened it, and then stopped. Slowly he turned, his brow wreathed in a frown. “I don’t know why I’m bothering to tell you this, but I ran into Grace and the baby outside Fairlawn. She had two bags stored in the pram and was acting very nervous. I’m not sure what’s going on, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Seconds later, the door slammed behind him.

Andrew stood alone in the center of the anteroom, a maelstrom of emotion sweeping through him. This was a nightmare. An unmitigated disaster. He’d always known Cecilia was flighty and vain, but was she as cold and calculating as Toby implied?

Do you know she intends to ship Christian off to boarding school as soon as he’s old enough? That she will never consider him as one of your children? She told me so last night and appeared to take great delight in delivering the news.

Andrew hadn’t taken Grace’s accusation seriously, but now he realized Cecilia wasn’t just issuing idle threats. She most likely intended to follow through with her plan, which meant she’d been lying to him all along about trying to forge a bond with the boy. How could he stand at the altar before God and pledge his life to such a lying, manipulative person? Worse yet, how could he subject Christian to her hatefulness? The idea literally turned his stomach.

And now Toby said Grace had her bags stowed in the baby carriage. Surely she would never do something like . . .

Andrew bolted to the door, panic flowing through him like a surge of electricity. He ran into the vestibule, his glance falling briefly on the people milling about, then he raced out the front door, praying Toby hadn’t left.

The chauffeur sat in the car in front of the church.

Andrew ignored the greetings the guests called out to him and jumped into the passenger seat. “Take me to Grace.”