Page 23 of Married By Twelfth Night
“That is well enough,” Mrs. Steele said. “But the filling made of egg and almond paste is what makes a Blakewell pudding so distinct.”
Richard tucked his napkin in as the footmen set the first course on the table. “I am glad we are all anticipating Derbyshire’s famous pudding.” He winked at Grace when the others looked away. She had to admit that he had been the clever one this time.
Instead of smiling at him, she glared at him. What had he done wrong? It wasn’t until the second course when he got a chance to discreetly ask her. “Don’t tell me that one little wink from me has you flustered.”
Unfortunately, the privacy at the dinner table was nonexistent, and she did not have a chance to answer him. Instead, she did something far more surprising.
“What a delightful meal,” she suddenly announced. “Mr. Graham, I am delighted to see you did not fall asleep. Father, were you aware that Mr. Graham falls asleep the moment he is bored? It is a testament to our family that we have kept him awake.”
Ah, she had caught the yawns he had tried to hide with his napkin. He wasn’t embarrassed; in fact, he took her words as a challenge.
“Miss Steele is correct. It is her utterly charming company that has me so riveted tonight.”
He met her shocked gaze and grinned.
“I have always thought both my daughters quite charming,” Mr. Steele said. “I am pleased someone finally noticed.”
When Grace’s eyes widened even further, he nearly choked on a bite of potatoes to keep from laughing. She must not have liked her father’s emphasis on the wordfinally.
“Mr. Graham is too kind,” Grace said. “But he is admittedly slow to see a prize when it is right in front of his nose. I am happy to hear he isfinallycatching on.”
Bridget coughed into her shoulder.
Richard caught Grace’s wild gaze again and held it, daring her to say something more. While he was eager to progress his plans with Ruth by pretending to court Grace, she would soon have them engaged if she persisted in her flirtations—albeit laced with hidden sarcasm. Perhaps he should not have risen to the occasion himself. He didn’t dare look at either of her parents to guess at their thoughts.
After the pudding was served and gushed over, the women dismissed themselves to the drawing room. Port was set on the table, and he insisted Mr. Steele serve himself first.
“I appreciate your insights on crop rotation,” Richard said, eager for some conversation that might clear the air between them. “My fields are looking a far sight better than last summer.”
Mr. Steele gave a quick nod. “I would never fault your father, but your land steward was too old and too set in his ways. I am glad you have set him out to pasture and hired a fresh hand.”
“Indeed, I am confident in Mr. Guiss’s skills.” Unfortunately, no matter the size of their harvest, it would not be sufficient to turn the fate of Belside.
“You are coming into your own, Graham. It is not an easy thing to step into your father’s place like you did. Hard things have a way of turning a boy into a man, and I have seen you become one this last year. If I am not wrong, you are looking for amistress of Belside next.”
He swallowed, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “I do hope to take a wife soon.”
Mr. Steele nodded again, his arms folding over his chest. “It seems my Grace has caught your eye.”
Blast. This wasn’t happening. If he admitted his partiality to Grace, how would he later explain the transfer of his feelings to Ruth? It had sounded so simple coming from Grace, but the reality was far more complicated.
This was all her fault. The vexing minx had lured him into sparring again. And while he generally preferred such an activity with a practice sword and a fencing partner, these days, it was his verbal matches with Grace that fed his appetite. It was far better than thinking of the mess of his estate. But instead of passing insults and harmless flirtations, he should have been more wary of his newbusinesspartner.
She was far too clever for him.
“Grace would be a catch for any man,” he finally managed to say. There. He’d been both honest and vague.
“She has practically grown up in this house. No woman would transition better. Indeed, it would feel more natural to both your mother and sister than any other choice you could make. They already look at her as family. I am surprised I did not think of the match myself.”
Nor he.The room swelled with an abominable heat, and he pulled at his choking cravat. Dare he mention how they would never get on? How his aunt would withhold necessary funds if he dared even try it?
“Did I speak too soon?” Mr. Steele asked. “I can see I have made you uncomfortable. That was the farthest from my intention.”
“Not at all,” Richard lied. “I have not yet settled my mind on my future. It is too early to tell—certain things.”
Mr. Steele chuckled. “Courtship is not for the faint of heart. And if I dare add, especially if Grace is involved.”
Richard gripped his thighs under the table. “Thank you for understanding.”
