Page 70 of The Mistletoe Countess
And what was worse? Everything she said was true.
Chapter Twenty
Grace marched from Frederick’s study, fury wracking her body with such force her hands quivered. Her eyes stung. Ooh, she hated getting this angry. She could think of dozens of other ways to expend energy that resulted in much better outcomes.
Stubborn man. What he needed was a good throttling. And at the moment, she’d gladly volunteer to dole out said throttling.
“I’ll take my leave, Brandon.” Aunt Lavenia’s voice carried from the entry. “My sister is out of sorts, as usual.”
“Your car is ready, ma’am.”
“Thank you. And do remind Lady Astley that she is welcome at the rectory at any time.”
Grace’s steps faltered. Now there was an idea. “Please, wait,” she called as she raced forward, finding the pair paused at the front entry. “I’d love to take you up on your offer immediately, Aunt Lavenia. If I may?”
The woman looked from Brandon to Grace, and then her gaze lingered on the hallway behind Grace for a second, before her brow rose like a question mark. “Would you?”
“Most certainly.” Grace tugged at her gloves with a little too much force. “It appears my husband needs some time to realize his own place in the world, and I need some distance before I do something quite unladylike to his stubborn head.”
Brandon made a choking sound to her right.
Aunt Lavenia’s lips slipped into a slow slant. “Well, what do they say? Absence makes the heart grow fonder?” She gestured for Grace to follow. “The rectory is a wonderful hiding place, and what heroine doesn’t need to be pursued every now and again?”
Some of Grace’s ire dimmed slightly in the light of Aunt Lavenia’s generous understanding. Ah yes, she had certainly found a kindred spirit.
Lavenia tipped her head to the butler as he retrieved Grace’s coat. “Brandon, I expect you to give us a healthy head start, won’t you? My nephew doesn’t need to be informed of her ladyship’s absence for at least…” She glanced heavenward. “A half hour should be sufficient. Every woman needs a chance to ready herself for a heartfelt apology from her husband.”
Brandon stiffened against the request, so Grace placed her hand on his arm. “Unless he explicitly asks, of course, Brandon, but he has the potential to brood for quite some time, I’m sure.”
The butler’s shoulders relaxed, and Grace followed Lavenia to the car. They’d not been driving five minutes before Grace shared the entire incident.
“I used to think brooding was a very romantic idea until put into practical use, and now my opinion has been vastly altered.” She folded her arms over her chest and pressed back into the seat. “It is not attractive at all.”
“Marriage is a difficult business, my dear. It’s life amplified.” Lavenia patted her hand and somehow poured a sweet solace over the ache Grace had felt for another woman’s company. “When two passionate people live in close proximity on a regular basis, episodes of discontent and conflict are bound to surface.”
“But that’s not supposed to happen in marriage for at least the first year.”
Aunt Lavenia’s loud laugh shook Grace from her pout. “Did you read that in a book somewhere? Because I can assure you with certainty there are no time constraints on disagreements. Reverend Redfern and I had our first argument two hours after we married, and such an argument it was.” She sighed as if she enjoyed the thought.
How peculiar. Grace found that conflict left a delightful thrill in fiction but abrasive distaste in real life. “I don’t know why he was so irritable with me. I was trying to help him come to a practical conclusion. He should have appreciated that. I was very lucid. Don’t men prefer logic?”
Lavenia released such a laugh she pressed her palm against her stomach. Grace wasn’t certain what was so funny.
“Oh my dear, you are exactly what our dear Lord Astley needs.” She swiped at her eyes. “What a perfect pairing!”
“I don’t see how an argument can look at all perfect.”
Her smile softened. “Conflict is a necessary component of relationships. Good and bad. We’re none of us perfect, and I daresay there’s a bit of pride and the natural follies of youth in both of you.” Lavenia’s grin widened again as if she wanted to laugh. “Conflict can help you grow if you allow it to make your relationship stronger.”
“Stronger? By arguing?”
“Why do you suppose God allows conflicts in life?”
Grace blinked at the sudden question. “To punish us for our bad behavior? But I’ve not been bad.” She replayed the last few days through her mind and the rather disingenuous thoughts she had for her mother-in-law, involving locked doors and discarded keys. “Mostly not.”
“No, you’re confusing consequences with conflict.” She squeezed Grace’s hand. “Conflict can become one of the great shapers of our lives. God uses conflict to reach the deepest levels of who we are as nothing else can. You have been placed into Frederick’s life to love and encourage him. To be his greatest asset. But you are also there to make him a better person than he was without you, and the same for him to you. That’s what people do when they love. They mold and shape one another into better forms of themselves. Sometimes the molding is comfortable—sometimes it’s not.” Her pale eyes widened. “Now I’m a part of your life, so I shall be a molder to you and you to me.”
What a remarkable thought!
