Page 39 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

“You chose the purple dress today,” Nathaniel mused, tilting his head back.

Grace smiled down at him, pleased that he had noticed. It had been three weeks since their intimate moment, and though they had yet to commit to such acts again, she was very happy that Nathaniel had stayed committed to allowing her to shave his face every other day. The ball, sadly, had been a setback but only temporarily. The gloves she’d had made at the modiste’s had proven themselves most useful, and as long as she wore them, her husband seemed to pay no mind when she had to touch his face or neck.

“Thank you for noticing,” she replied, taking another swipe of hair and lather away from his neck. “The shade is so festive, and I thought it would be perfect for today.”

“Yes, today is the day, isn’t it?” he asked, his green eyes meeting hers. Smiling, Grace nodded.

“Excited?”

“Oh, yes, very much so,” Grace gushed. She took the final swipe with the razor then, with a warm towel, smoothed the last bits away.

“There, good as new,” she beamed, stepping away.

Nathaniel rose from his chair and walked over to the mirror. He turned his head this way and that and then nodded at his reflection.

“Perfect as always,” he praised.

“You’re too kind,” Grace laughed, gathering up the materials. A moment later, a knock sounded out the door, and after Nathaniel granted entry, Mrs. Snievely came in, all smiles.

“Good morning, Your Graces,” she greeted affectionately, curtseying toward both of them.

“Good morning, Mrs. Snievely,” they replied in unison. Nathaniel and Grace gave each other an amused glance, and then Grace continued.

“I trust all is ready for my family’s arrival?” she asked. “I believe they are supposed to be here by noon at the latest.”

“It is, Your Grace,” Mrs. Snievely, seemingly bubbling over with excitement, “but that is why I came to fetch you. It seems your family has had much luck in their travels. Their carriages are coming up the lane as we speak!”

Happiness surged through Grace like a tidal wave, and she all but squealed with glee. Her homesickness had dampened greatly over the course of the last three weeks, but she still missed her family very much. She couldn’t wait to wrap her arms around each one of them.

Grace grabbed the lapels of Nathaniel’s jacket in her flurry of excitement and bumped her nose against his like a little rabbit. Nathaniel looked at her, shocked for a moment, then chuckled as he shook his head.

“Go on, then,” he urged, pushing her gently away. “Go and greet them. I shall join you shortly.”

“You are a good man, Nathaniel Voss,” Grace replied emphatically before going to Mrs. Snievely’s side.

“Very good, Your Grace,” Mrs. Snievely praised as they went down the stairs, “very good.”

“Whatever do you mean, Mrs. Snievely?” Grace laughed.

“Not a thing,” Mrs. Snievely replied with a wry smile and a wink as they reached the bottom of the stairs. “Oh, look! The carriage has arrived!”

Forgetting entirely about their conversation, Grace picked up the hems of her skirts and made a dash for the porch and outdoor stone steps as she saw the carriage through the wide-open door. Her heart burst with glee as she saw her father first then her mother exit their carriage.

“Mama! Papa!” she exclaimed, almost tripping in her excitement. She paid the faux pas no mind, and as she took the last step down to the drive, she launched herself at her father and wrapped her arms around his neck. Immediately, she heard her mother’s joyful cry, and Grace quickly felt her arms wrap around her from behind.

“Oh, my darling girl, how we’ve missed you!” her mother sobbed.

“And I have missed you,” Grace replied emphatically, feeling tears sting the back of her throat. “All of you. Where are Simon and Matilda?”

“Oh, yes,” her mother sighed, loosening her grip on Grace, “unfortunately, they had to stay back at the last minute, but they sent their love and regards.”

“I hope everything is all right,” Grace replied, concerned.

“Oh, all is well, darling, all is well,” her father added, squeezing her tight once more, “Goodness, how we have missed you! Are you sure you do not want to return with us to London when our visit is through?”

Before Grace could answer, she heard Letitia’s sweet voice come from inside the carriage. It took a moment for her and her parents to untangle their limbs from one another, but as soon as she was free, Grace reached for her younger sister and squeezed her tightly. It had only been a little under two months, but she had grown so much!

“Look at you!” Grace gushed, pulling her sister back just enough so that she could study her. “You’ve practically become a woman since I saw you last!”

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