Page 2 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

“Well, you must join us at once,” Lady Harvey instructed, waving her hand over the grand table. “I fear we have started the feast without you. But if you eat quickly, you may well be finished by the time we all are.”

Something inside of Grace reared away from Lady Harvey’s overly sweet tone, but just like her mother, she only curtseyed politely and went to their seats.

“How brave you and your mother are, Miss Rowley,” Miss Asherton said as Grace took the empty seat beside her. “To even come out at all after such misery has befallen your family.”

“We are of brave stock, Miss Asherton,” Grace replied cordially, ignoring the woman’s contemptuous stare.

“Yes, of course, you are,” Miranda Jameson, the Earl of Sutton’s eldest daughter chimed in with a pouty tone. “You must be to endure such rumors and still attend events such as these.”

“Oh, leave her be, ladies,” Miss Georgia Edgewood falsely chastised. “With as humble as their rations must be, they should not be denied the gift of fine dining when it is presented to them.”

Georgia’s brown eyes glittered savagely as she lifted her glass and raised it toward Grace. Her thin lips drew in a smile that looked more like a smirk as she toasted her.

“Do eat up, darling,” she insisted. “Who knows when you may be invited to such a luxurious feast again?”

“We eat quite well, actually,” Grace replied with a polite smile. She was fed up with the rudeness and wasn’t about to take anymore. “It turns out that if you roast a rat like a chicken, the flavor comes out almost precisely the same.”

A gasp went around the small group of women as Susan suddenly appeared behind Grace and gripped her arm.

“Excuse us, ladies,” Susan said sweetly, pulling her daughter out of her chair. “My daughter has not been feeling herself lately. It is why we were late.”

“Perhaps with such a malady, she should have stayed home,” Georgia said stiffly, wrinkling her nose in disgust at Grace.

“Might I remind you what is at stake here, young lady?” Susan seethed once they were alone in the hall. “It is not just your future that hangs in the balance of these events but your younger sister’s as well! If you do not marry well, it will all but destroy any prospects for Letitia, and your father will never be taken seriously again!”

“I understand my duty to find a husband, Mama,” Grace replied, exasperated, “but what does that have to do with the gossiping birds I just put in their place? It is not them that will want my hand in marriage!”

“Because,” Susan seethed, her anger apparent in her blue eyes, “those ‘gossiping birds’ do exactly that. They gossip! Not just to other women but the men of the Ton as well. If they hear of such behavior from you, they will not pursue you. They want a humble woman, not a proud one!”

Shame bloomed in the form of a deep, red blush on Grace’s pale cheeks, and she lowered her eyes to the floor. Her mother was right. Of course, she was, and the only thing her little quip had done was create yet another mess her mother had to clean up. Although, it did feel incredibly good to stand up for herself.

“I’m sorry, Mama,” Grace replied quietly.

Susan glared at her daughter for a moment then her face softened as she sighed.

“It will be fine,” Susan said, smoothing the front of her dress with her hands. “I shall fix this. We can’t leave yet; it would look like we were running away. Go. Find someplace quiet to gather yourself. I’ll find you once the others have moved on to a different topic.”

Grace nodded obediently, and before she could bring her eyes back up, she felt her mother’s arms embrace her tightly. Needing the comfort, Grace lifted her arms and hugged her mother back. That was one thing she loved about her family. They were never afraid to show physical affection which was more of a blessing than ever since they’d been turned out by society.

“We are a strong family,” Susan whispered, holding Grace close, “We just have to prove that to the rest of them.”

“Yes, Mama,” Grace replied, holding her chin high as they left one another’s arms. Susan gave her daughter an affirmative nod, and without another word, she made her way back into the dining room.

Alone, Grace began to wander down the hall and found a door that was slightly ajar. Taking a peek inside, she saw nothing but shelves of books, and she felt relief as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. A soft breeze was coming in through the open windows and balcony doors, and without looking around, she poured herself into one of the elegant, high-backed chairs and sighed heavily.

Her mother was right, Grace thought. She must get her temper under control. Not for herself but for her family. For their opportunity to dig their way out of scandal and have them on the proper side of things once again.

As Grace began to think of ways to turn the evening around, she heard a scraping noise from the balcony. Curious, she sat up and leaned over the side of the chair to look out the doors. Her breath hitched, and she stood up quickly as she saw the back of a very fine black jacket shaped over the frame of a muscular man. He was pacing, mumbling. It was obvious he thought he was still alone.

Not wanting to disturb him or get her family wrapped up in another accidental scandal, Grace got up quietly from the chair and tiptoed to the door. Just as she wrapped her fingers around the brass knob, she heard footsteps approaching. For a moment, she froze, hoping they would move right on by, but then she heard an agitated huff as the footsteps stopped.

Grace felt her nerves begin to scatter as she quickly stepped away from the door, and just as she hunkered down behind a couch, the door opened, and she heard the swishing of skirts and a woman’s voice.

“Nathaniel? Nathaniel! Are you in here?”

CHAPTER TWO

“Nathaniel, what are you thinking?”

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