Page 45 of Married By Twelfth Night
After the sermon ended, Ruth slipped away to play soft organ music while everyone exited their pews and departed into the brisk weather. Grace’s small frame allowed her to pass her brother by, and her parents, in her haste to leave first. However, she had not been prepared for Mrs. Cottswater, the vicar’s wife, to approach her. Good heavens. That woman could prattle a person’s life away.
Grace stepped right in front of her willowy figure and managed to open her mouth first. “Have you met the Craigs who are visiting?”
“No, I have not. I always love to greet our town’s visitors and invite them to dinner.”
“I will introduce you.” She turned just as the Petersons left their pew, allowing the Craigs to leave next.
“Miss Steele,” Mr. Craig said. “I was hoping to speak to you.”
“Mr. Craig, Miss Craig, how do you do? I have an introduction to make. Everyone in Wetherfield must make the acquaintance of Mrs. Cottswater.” She finished the introduction just as Bridget reached her side. The timing couldn’t have been better. “Will you excuse me? I had promised to speak to Miss Graham.”
Mrs. Cottswater did just as Grace hoped and caught Mr. Craig’s and his sister’s arm and began telling them all about the history of the church building. If she knew her well, Mrs. Cottswater wouldn’t stop until she reviewed the lives of the last seven vicars.
Bridget linked arms with her. “We have so much to talk about.” She looked behind her to allow Grace to see her father speaking to Richard. They often greeted each other, but she knew Bridget’s pointed stare was only for her brother. She wanted to know about their kiss.
“Not in the church!” Grace whispered. “Later.”
Bridget shook her head. “Tobias has already run off to meet up with the Gilbert boys, and your mother will be in conversation with Mrs. Gardener for an age. Let’s speak in your carriage until they’re ready to leave.”
“What aboutyourbrother?”
“I cannot predict how long he’ll speak to your father, but I’m willing to risk his annoyance for this very important conversation.”
“Very well, but we had better walk fast.” She didn’t want to risk being pulled back into the conversation with the Craigs and Mrs. Cottswater.
As soon as they were outside, Bridget’s questions began again. “Well, did he propose?”
Grace gave a high-pitched laugh. “No, and save this mortifying interview for the privacy of the carriage, if you please.”
With hurried steps, they reached her family’s carriage and climbed inside. Once the door was shut, Bridget sighed. “Finally. Now tell me everything! Are we to be sisters?”
How to answer? Grace leaned back into the firm upholstery. “There are no plans for an engagement. It was just a kiss—a forced kiss—if you remember.”
“Ruth and I slipped outside as soon as you started kissing. If my brother was not proposing, what took so long?”
She couldn’t tell Bridget that their kiss was what had taken so long. It felt too private, like something she and Richard ought to treasure alone. Which was strange because if she had something to share, shegenerally wanted it to be with Bridget. “May I ask why you expected Richard to propose? Did he say something to you that led you to believe that?”
Bridget fell back against the opposite seat. “No, he didn’t. Not exactly. But his actions, his attention to you, it all painted a very clear picture of his intentions.”
“Didn’t I tell you that he was interested in Ruth?” Even saying such words hurt.
Bridget sat up again in a rush. “You cannot still be on about that nonsense. While you’re endeavoring to get Ruth by Richard’s side, I’m striving equally hard to keep her away from you two. We really need to be united on this.”
Grace’s brow wrinkled in confusion. “Wait, you’re trying to keep her away?”
“Honestly, Grace. You have done impressively well with your tactics to bring Ruth into the picture, but you need to stop being a martyr and see to your own heart. It’s not Ruth I see as my brother’s equal, it’s you.”
Was that even possible? She glanced through the window and caught sight of her mother walking to the carriage with Ruth and Tobias by her side. Just behind them, she spotted her father with Richard. They didn’t have much more time alone in the carriage, but her gaze couldn’t pull away from Richard. He smiled at something Father said. She used to get instantly irritated when she saw that smile. Its perfect curve and those straight teeth were better fit for a portrait in the gallery than someone with real feelings. But now she saw his smile and wondered what had caused it, and if she could do something to make it stay forever.
She knew his heart better and that he was more than a pleasant face to admire who sought others’ happiness before his own. Whatwas wrong with her? Even as she asked herself the question, she knew the answer. “Good heavens, Bridget. You’re right. Richard can’t marry Ruth.”
Bridget gave a short laugh. “I know. That’s what I have been telling you.”
Grace ripped her gaze from the window to meet Bridget’s confident one. “What am I going to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m beginning to care for that vexing man.” Panic built at a rapid pace. What if he had been speaking to her father about Ruth? She couldn’t stand between him and Belside. But what did she do with these overwhelming feelings?
