Page 22 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

“Oh,” Grace replied, taken aback by the inquisition. “Well. Yes, Your Grace, I have. I am afraid my wardrobe is a scant limited in its options as of late.”

“You wore this the day we met,” he mused.

Knowing that he remembered that day touched Grace deeply, and she felt a sprig of hope rise in her. Could her husband be gentle after all? At least, in some small way?

“You have an excellent memory,” she replied with a polite bow of her head.

Nathaniel’s eyes took their time sweeping over Grace’s figure, but they eventually rose to hers, and for a moment, they simply gazed at each other. It was as if he wanted to say more, do more, but there was something inside of him willing him not to. The urge to caress his sculpted cheek and ask him what was wrong was strong. She wanted to know this man, to discover what held him back from her every time they were about to get close.

“Yes, well, it was a memorable day,” he replied at last, breaking eye contact with her. “A day, unfortunately, that my dear aunt finds baneful. As you’ve probably gathered, she is not the warmest of women. In fact, I have no doubt that the only reason for her visit today is simply to remind us that we are not suited for another.”

Nathaniel’s small smile vanished, and he looked away for a moment as his face clouded with remorse.

“After my behavior in the meadow the other day, however, I am not sure you would disagree with her,” he added. “My actions were…regrettable.”

Grace felt a heaviness suddenly lift from her chest as Nathaniel apologized.

“They were indeed, Your Grace,” she agreed, “but I do firmly believe that one of the covenants on marriage is forgiveness. Perhaps we should bestow it on one another and move on.”

A mixture of gratitude and relief settled over Nathaniel’s face, and though he didn’t smile, he nodded his head in satisfaction.

“Very good,” he replied. “It still does not save us from my aunt, however.”

Grace let out a small laugh as she took a step toward him.

“Yes, as you say, she is not a “warm” person. But she is your family, and that is something I know the worth of,” Grace replied. “I am sure she means well.”

At this, Nathaniel let out a dry laugh as his body language relaxed a little more.

“You are kind in saying so,” he replied, “but be warned, it will not save either of us from her temper today.”

“So, we shall face it as a united front then,” Grace assured him.

Nathaniel’s small twitch of lips transformed into a full, sincere smile, and he nodded.

“United we shall be then,” he agreed, waving her toward the door.

* * *

“You are very bold in your fashion choices, my dear,” Aunt Tabitha mused as the three of them sat at the table. She plucked a cherry from her dish and popped it into her mouth as she continued her judgment of Grace, and Nathaniel fought the urge to roll his eyes.

“How so, Your Ladyship?” Grace asked, her tone soft and polite.

Aunt Tabitha’s demeanor was exactly what Nathaniel had expected. He had quickly decided he’d done well by appearing with Grace to greet her as a united front. But the moment she stepped out of her carriage, Tabitha had frowned at the sight of them, and in her usual way, she began to pick things apart as they went inside. Particularly Grace’s dress.

“Well, it is blatantly out of fashion for one,” Tabitha explained, her blue eyes running up and down Grace’s person as if taking stock of all her imperfections.

“And for another, it is practically falling apart.” Tabitha let out a small laugh as she shook her head sympathetically. “You will have to style yourself much better than that if you are to become a duchess.”

“She is a duchess,” Nathaniel responded with a defensive edge in his voice. So far, Tabitha had thrown barbs about the house and Grace’s lack of understanding for it, and the way she ate her breakfast, and now, her clothing. His wife had taken it all in good stride, but he was beginning to struggle with the constant blowbacks.

Grace gave him a look of thanks, and he winked at her quickly before he turned his gaze to his aunt. As usual, he was greeted by her hardened glare which he refused to turn away from. It grated at him fiercely to hear Grace be talked to in such a way, and he had been silent long enough.

“She is a duchess, Aunt,” Nathaniel repeated, “and any fashion faux pas she has made is a fault of my own. She has kindly been patient with me as I’ve reacquainted myself with my duties, and she has been learning her part as well.”

Aunt Tabitha’s eyes narrowed at him for a moment then her thin lips pulled back into a smile as she batted her eyes.

“Yes, nephew, of course,” she replied sweetly. “Adjustments take time. I mean no offense, but since you have opted not to honeymoon with your bride and to continue work as usual, she will soon have to play hostess to the visiting nobles you do business with. I simply mean that her attire will need to be elevated, and soon. Unless you want to give your counterparts the wrong impression.”

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