Chapter 9

Grace scoured the pot, rubbing furiously to eliminate the final specks of grime. If only she could scour her thoughts away just as easily.

She’d barely slept last night, her mind full of their dance. The rich baritone of his voice. The pressure of his hand against her waist. No wonder some churches forbade dancing. The thoughts that it could make one think … highly improper.

He made her feel so much. Made her believe she was beautiful. And she drank it in, every last delicious drop. Like a wilted flower finally receiving water, she’d begun to bloom. All because of him.

Softly and slowly, she’d given him her heart. Only he didn’t know it yet.

Should she confess her feelings? Tell him she wanted their marriage to be more than one of convenience? Surely he felt something for her. He’d added her name into the song, hadn’t he? If he felt nothing, he wouldn’t have done that.

She closed her eyes and let herself dream. Of days spent in this little house, helping him with his practice, cooking his meals. Of children with his hair and her smile. Of being treasured and adored. Finally feeling worthy.

She’d tell him. Not doing so would leave her with too much regret. She’d plan dinner by candlelight, fix his favorite dishes, and afterward she’d tell him.

Stepping to the cupboard, she pulled out a bag of flour.

“Love me, too, my darling,” she whispered, pressing the bag to her chest. “Oh please, love me, too.”

Three cases of hay fever, a splint removal, and a tooth extraction. All in all, a busy morning.

Humming, Raymond washed his hands at the sink and dried them with the towel. No time for lunch. Mrs. Cooper and her baby were due to come at noon for a one-month checkup. He’d have to starve now and eat later. Donning his suit jacket, he opened the examining room door and stepped into the waiting room. A lady stood at the opposite end, her back to him. Her dark green skirt brushed the ground and her feather-bedecked hat concealed her hair.

A thread of recognition wove through him. Along with a niggling sense of worry.

“Can I help you?” He ran a hand through his hair.

She turned. His world stilled.

Trouble had knocked at his door. In the form of a petite brunette too pretty for her own good.

Audrey.

“Yes, I believe you can.” A smile tilted her lips. She sailed toward him, stopping a few inches away. “It’s nice to see you again, Ray. I’ve missed you.” Her lashes fluttered, deceptively sweet.

He was through with deception.

“What are you doing here?” He ground out the words.

“Just passing through and thought I’d say hello.” She pulled off her gloves, one finger at a time, in a motion intended to tantalize. “Why? Aren’t you glad to see me?”

“You know I’m not.” At his side, his hand clenched into a fist. She’d wooed him with her charms, dumped him at the altar, and now returned weeks later, insisting he should be glad to see her. As if he were some doll that she could throw on the ground and pick up at her pleasure, still expecting to see a smile on the china face. Well, she had a surprise or two coming.

“I must confess I’m hurt.” Her lip quivered. “I thought a gentleman such as yourself would at least greet me with some common courtesy. I suppose that is too much to ask.”

“I, too, am surprised. That a lady such as yourself would make me believe up until the morning of our wedding that you cared for me. I married your sister to maintain the respectability that, apparently, you don’t give two straws about.” True, Grace now meant so much more to him. But at the time he’d been angry. Suddenly, all that anger came rushing back and landed on him like a ton of grapeshot.

“So your Christian charity still hasn’t forgiven me?” Bitterness leeched into her words. “I’m surprised at you, Ray. Doesn’t the Bible say to forgive seventy times seven? I thought you professed to be a man of God.”

He sucked in a breath, the words finding their mark.

“I’ve done my best to forgive you for the wrong you’ve done me.” He kept his tone even, low. “But that still doesn’t mean I welcome your presence.”

She laughed. “You don’t understand. I’m reformed. Completely repented of my girlish folly and with full intentions of righting the wrongs I’ve done. Starting with the fulfillment of my promise to marry you.”

“You forget one minor detail. I’m married to someone else.” He folded his arms across his chest.

“Yes. I heard about that. You married my mouse of a sister. Dearest Ray, you’d be lying if you told me you were happy with Grace. I don’t know how you’ve endured it thus far. So meek and retiring.” She leaned closer, her perfume overwhelming. “A man like yourself could never be truly satisfied with her.”

Hot anger boiled through his veins. If she’d been a man, he’d have struck her for those derogatory words about Grace. Knocked her down and taken satisfaction in it. But even if she were not a lady, he would remain a gentleman.

“If I were you, I would not say such things. Even my ‘Christian charity’ has its limits.”

She laughed again, harshly. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with her. I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it. No, my darling Ray. You’re mine. And nothing will stand in our way. Especially my sister.”

The door swung open, the jingling bell announcing the presence of Mrs. Cooper and her baby.

“I shan’t disturb you any further.” Audrey lowered her tone to a whisper. “But be warned, Ray. We’re not finished.” She spun around and headed for the door, nearly plowing into Mrs. Cooper and her cooing baby. Raymond ran his hands down the front of his waistcoat and forced himself to smile.

We’re not finished.

A frisson of fear dripped down his spine.