Page 69 of A Virgin for the Icy Highlander
Maddie took her turn to hug Grace, whispering as she did, “That’s a lie, yes?”
“I’ll tell youeverythinglater,” Grace promised, so giddy that she felt like she might never sleep again.
“I’m sorry to tell you, dear girls, but I have the hearing of a bat,” Miss Sutton said as she rose regally to her feet. “But I also have the gift of pretending I didn’t hear things, like a loyal butler. Come here, my dear Grace. Give me a hug while you are still one of my girls.”
Wishing her face wouldn’t betray her so much by flushing at every opportunity, Grace met Miss Sutton halfway across the room and embraced her warmly.
It had been one of the most surprising things about Horndean, discovering that the headmistress encouraged affection instead of ruling from a distance, unlike a headmaster might have done.
Truly, Grace believed it was why most of the Horndean ladies thought of Miss Sutton as a big sister rather than the owner of the school.
“Tea?” Miss Sutton asked, pulling back. “I imagine you need it after your adventure in the rain.”
“Yes, please.” Grace nodded. She looked around for something to sit on. Finding no additional chairs, she sat down on the rug by the fire, letting the heat warm her back. “But, if I may, what are you doing here so soon? The wedding isn’t for a few days. Indeed, I… didn’t realize the invitations had had time to leave the castle yet.”
Maddie puffed out her chest and smiled proudly. “I made a rather detailed plan to ensure that all invitations were sent at the correct times. As Horndean had the most important guests,I borrowed one of your future husband’s soldiers and had him deliver the message straight there.” She gestured to the headmistress. “Five hours later, just in time for supper, Miss Sutton arrived.”
“I realize it is terrible form to be so early for a wedding, but I just couldn’t wait,” Miss Sutton explained, passing a cup of tea to Grace. “The moment I received that message, I departed with a trunk full of goodness knows what, including your finishing gowns, by the way, that the dressmaker brought to school the day after you came here. Consider those a gift. Though I might need to borrow one. If there is an appropriate gown among my own clothes for a wedding, I will beastounded.”
The three younger ladies chuckled, sipping their tea in comfortable appreciation of their headmistress. Indeed, glancing around, it rather reminded Grace of the winter nights they would often spend in Miss Sutton’s study, drinking tea, having deep discussions, arguing amiably, changing the world, at least within those four walls.
Goodness, I will miss this.
It wasn’t a crushing blow of grief, just a pinch below the ribs, but Grace knew that the heavier slam would be coming. She just wasn’t ready to let it hit her yet. After all, they were all right there, sitting together, as close and comfortable as they had been for the past three years.
“In truth,” Miss Sutton continued, “I amthrilledby the speed of that new carriage I acquired for the school. I was certain thatI would arrive behind your brother, but I have yet to encounter him, and when I asked after him, I was met with rather puzzled stares.”
The temperature in the room dropped to such icy lows that Grace’s body froze solid, her teacup halfway to her mouth, the saucer tilting sideways in her hand. Lilian seemed to be suffering a similar fate, her mouth hanging open, her eyes unblinking. Meanwhile, Maddie’s mouth opened and closed, though no sound came out.
“But… but…” Maddie finally managed to speak, “I didn’t send an invitation to your brother, or anyone else from the ton. Those letters are still in my chambers. I swear it, Gracie; I can show you right now.”
Grace thawed slowly. “I believe you,” she said, her throat tight. “It would takequitethe messenger to deliver the invitations to London today, and even more remarkable speed for my brother to make it here on the same day. Indeed, one would probably need to be able to travel through time to send the invitation last week instead.”
A shaky breath rippled the tea in Maddie’s cup, the panic on her face dimming slightly. “Of course. That was perhaps the most stupid thing I have ever said.” She laughed awkwardly, glancing at Grace. “I will think of something, Gracie. Leave it to me.”
Miss Sutton, who knew something of the tense relationship between Grace and her father, but had not realized that it extended to her brother, frowned at the exchange.
“Oh, dear.” She grimaced. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything. You see, he arrived at the school this afternoon, saying that he remembered you would be having your finishing ceremony around now and that he wanted to surprise you.”
“Consider me surprised,” Grace replied stiffly. “I am glad you told me, Miss Sutton. Truly.”
For now, I can come up with a way to keep him away from the wedding.
“Was my father with him?” she asked, her heart stopping.
Miss Sutton shook her head, and Grace’s heart resumed beating. “No, dear, he wasn’t. Thereweretwo other gentlemen with him, though they remained in the carriage, which I thought was rather rude. Your brother said they had been on a hunting trip to Northumberland, so I shall have to assume they were tired from their revels.”
Grace couldn’t hold back the groan that escaped her. “Oh, it’ll be Lord Stanforth and Mr. Fensom. It isalwaysLord Stanforth and Mr. Fensom. They have been friends with my brother since they were boys, and all are as… um…”
“Tedious?” Maddie offered with an encouraging smile.
“Let us say, they are all as fastidious as each other,” Grace said, being more generous that she should.
For thoseboyshad been the very first to make unkind remarks about her appearance, and even in their supposed manhood, they refused to stop. She could think of nothing worse than having them at the wedding, as well as her stern, dull brother, who never had anything kind to say either.
“Be comforted, Gracie, that letters still cannot reach London in such a short time,” Lilian chimed in, raising her cup in an adorable toast. “And now we have Miss Sutton here to ensure that nothing happens to interrupt your happiest of days.”
A shadow of sadness passed over Maddie’s face, her straight back slumping a little.
