Page 63 of The Highland Heist
“It seems neither of us got what we wanted for our futures,” she remarked. “I settled for a poor banker and ended up a widow, cast out from polite society.” Her voice wavered slightly, betraying emotions she clearly wanted to suppress. “And you’re stuck with my silly sister—her fictional whims and her lack of refinement, which I’m sure, have already blighted your social standing.”
“Refinement?” Frederick choked out a laugh. “Is that truly the greatest concern you have about my marriage to your sister?”
“Oh, I cannot even imagine what you’ve had to endure with her disposition.” Lillias shook her head and offered a look of mock sympathy. “An earl of all things! She may have a sweet heart and, at times, engage in interesting conversation, but as a meaningful life partner for aristocracy?” Lillias waved her hand toward Frederick and scoffed. “She’s a disaster. A child. No wonder you regret what’s happened.”
“Regret?” Frederick face went hot. “I’ve never regretted anything less in my entire life.”
His statement brought Lillias’ gaze up and put her body to a stop.
“If that’s the sum of your thoughts on my wife,” Frederick continued, deliberately lingering on the wordmyto emphasize his connection and acceptance, “then you never really knew her at all.” A fire smoldered in his chest, deepening his voice. “Grace may be unconventional and naive at times, but she is far from silly. Her lack of refinement is the least of my concerns because she is not only a willing student to learn new things, but her kindness has overcome many of the social obstacles placed before her. You not only dismiss her advice but underestimate her intelligence and strength of character—qualities I value deeply.”
Lillias’ eyes widened, a sudden sheen filling them despite the curl of her lips into a frown. “You—youloveher.” She shook her golden head and pointed toward the door where Grace had just exited. “Her, with her ridiculousness and nonsense talk of books and solving mysteries.” Her voice shook. “And no doubt, she’s been an embarrassment among your acquaintances, a laughingstock to your mother, and fumbled who knows what else.” Her gaze hardened as she stepped forward. “ThingsIhad been trained for. The lifeIcould have lived with you.”
“Do you hear yourself?” A derisive laugh burst from his lips. “Grace’s small idiosyncrasies are nothing compared to the real embarrassment you nearly brought on your family by attempting to deceive me into marriage. And now? Not only are you behaving with jealousy toward your own sister, but the scandal around your husband’s death, his notorious gambling, and the gossip surrounding your marriage has brought much more disgrace to your family than any of Grace’s decisions. Your past ingratitude for a husband who buried himself in debt to please your whims, and your current ingratitude for a sister who would risk her life to save you from your own mess—those are the only shocking things I see here.”
Frederick took a deep breath, his voice lowering. “Grace Percy has one of the purest hearts in the world, and I would be a fool to not cherish such a love. I know exactly what I’ve been given, and I will not take it for granted again. Let her have her adventures and mysteries, for I’m more than happy to embrace them with her.”
He took a final, deliberate step back, then gave a formal bow of his head. “Excuse me.”
He’d barely made it out of the room when he met Grace coming toward him, her smile slowly sinking as she examined his face. “Are you all right?”
Frederick forced himself to unclench his fists and release a slow, controlled breath. If Grace had endured such veiled criticism her whole life, no wonder she thought she was always causing trouble for him in one way or another. He gave his head a shake at the pain in the thought and without hesitation—without caring who might be lurking in the hall—he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her toward him, catching her gasp with his lips. Her smile spread beneath his assault, and she wrapped her arms around his neck with her delightful abandon, lengthening the embrace.
As he drew back, her smile bloomed.
“In the hallway, Lord Astley?” Grace’s beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked up at him, and she wiggled her brows. “How scandalous.”
He hadn’t been the only one with a past that shaped his opinion of himself. But he’d not continue the deplorable pattern set out by Lillias. Oh no! He was learning a great deal about love and gratitude, and it began when Grace entered his life.
He slid a thumb over her cheek, wrangling his emotions into a steady control. “Scandal is vastly overrated.”
“Very unaristocratic of you, my lord.” She teased, searching his face, her smile gentling a little. Had she borne the brunt of her sister’s ire in silence? Carried her subtle barbs without complaint?
Oh, how very different his life could have been if their marriage agreement hadn’t been turned on its head.
“How did you find Mrs. Lindsay?”
Grace blinked at his question. “Oh, she still hasn’t gained consciousness, but she’s alive.” She turned and slipped her arm through his. “And improving. Miss Cox is with her now for a little while, but I mean to take a watch.” She lowered her voice as they neared the stairs. “Wounded sleeping people with too much information are quite vulnerable to unexpected attacks that keep them from waking up and sharing that information, as we know all too well from poor Mr. Graham in Egypt. So I asked Detective Johnson to provide a watch over Mrs. Lindsay’s room through the night.”
“That’s an excellent idea, darling.”
She smiled her gratitude and then her expression fell. “Did you have any luck offering some insight to my sister?”
Frederick swallowed, his mind briefly flicking to the prickly exchange with Lillias. “Yes,” he said carefully, turning his focus back to Grace. “I was able to share a great deal of hard truths that she needed to hear.”
Grace’s gaze softened as they continued up the stairs, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Did you notice Mrs. James is still here?” Her brow furrowed. “That’s unexpected.”
“Unless she’s gathering further information.”
“Or trying to finish the job with Mrs. Lindsay,” Grace added and then frowned. “If Mrs. James is a culprit at all. I suppose shecouldbe innocent. We’ve been wrong before, but she’s certainly suspicious.”
“Then it’s a very good thing an officer will stay the night,” he added, turning to start down their hallway when Miss Cox topped the stairs behind them.
“Thank you for sending the officer to take my place. Despite my father’s occupation, I’m not very comfortable with wounded people.”
Frederick offered a sympathetic smile, but couldn’t resist a little jest to lighten the mood. “Was spending time with Mrs. Lindsay better or worse than taking care of Thomas?”
Miss Cox’s cheeks reddened a little, and she offered a reluctant smile. “The babe is growing on me, my lord, so I’d prefer him.”
