Page 24 of A Simple Scandal (Millionaires of Mayfair #3)

Twenty-Three

“ M y lady?” Theo knocked on the door jamb of the small sitting room in the front of the house. “I was asked to inform you that there’s been a change of plans. You have been invited to Ardeerton House to dine this evening.”

Grace nodded. Dane had said he had business. His appointment must have run late. “Will his sisters be there?”

“I can’t say, Ma’am.”

It didn’t make any difference. It was a simple dinner. No rumors would erupt from that.

“Mabel has several gowns for you to choose for the occasion.”

“Indeed, I do,” Mabel sang through the hallway. “Each one is gorgeous and utterly enchanting.”

Theo rocked on his heels with a sly grin. “I agree.” Then he glanced over his shoulder. “But I somehow restrain myself from singing such information through Lady Grace’s home.”

“Theo,” Grace chided.

“She’s young and excited as we all are, my lady.” Theo held her gaze with a gentleness that revealed his affection. “You deserve all the happiness in the world, and I believe His Grace is of the same mind. Mark my words. His Grace will do everything in his power to make you happy.”

Grace bit her lip to hide her smile and glanced at her book. “Thank you, Theo. I don’t know what to say.”

“You do not have to say anything, my lady. Just enjoy. His Grace’s carriage will pick you up in three hours.” Theo dipped his head and then left Grace alone.

She pulled her book to her chest and sighed. The man she’d loved since she was a little girl loved her in return. He had continued to love her since they departed. It was hard to fathom that after all these years, he loved her more than he ever did.

Her heartbeat stumbled. Was she being reckless after all these years to feel such jubilation? Nothing had ever been easy for her since Dane had left her on that field that day, and especially not since her father died.

Just as she was about to send for Mabel to discuss her evening schedule, a curt knock sounded on the door.

“Grace.”

Before she even looked up from her book, she recognized the voice.

“Hope.” She rose from her chair and went to her sister’s side. She wrapped her arms around her for a hug, and her sister half-heartedly attempted to return the gesture. “What are you doing here? Is something amiss in Amesbury?”

Grace only saw Hope when she called upon her sister and brother-in-law in London. They split their time between the city and Amesbury. However, they never visited her in the town or invited her to Amesbury. She should be overjoyed that her sister was here for a visit instead of wary. She shook her head slightly. “Forgive me for my lack of manners. You’ve taken me by surprise. Do come in. Let me ring for a tea tray.”

“I don’t have time for tea.” Hope closed the door behind her. “What I share with you must be kept in the strictest confidence.”

“What is it?” Grace took Hope’s hand and led her to the adjacent chair where Grace was sitting. Only after Hope settled did Grace take her seat.

Hope’s back was straighter than a measuring stick. “I understand you’ve come to an understanding with the Duke of Pelham.”

“Understanding?”

“Marriage,” Hope snapped. “Don’t be coy.”

Grace leaned back in her chair at her sister’s sharp tone like she'd been slapped. Of course, Stewart would have shared what happened at Pelham Hall.

“When are you marrying?”

“I don’t know.” Grace shrugged. It was bizarre that her sister was asking about Grace’s future. She’d never been interested in it before.

“If you have any illusions of delaying the marriage, don’t.” Hope sniffed and lifted her nose in the air. She was out of sorts if the twisting of her fingers was any indication. “You lost him once, and only by divine intervention have you been presented with an opportunity to marry him again. Don’t lose him.”

“I don’t plan to.” Grace tilted her head and regarded her sister with a quizzical gaze. Ever since the Northumberland farmer, Hope couldn’t have been bothered by Grace’s marital prospects.

Hope’s forehead was dotted with sweat, and she swallowed repeatedly in an apparent effort to keep herself calm.

“If something is amiss, I’ll help you.” Even though Grace doubted that Hope had much affection for her, she would always be there for her sister if she needed her.

Hope glanced at her hands and linked her fingers together to keep from fidgeting. “You need to marry the duke as quickly as you can. I need money.” Hope’s eyes widened. “Don’t think it’s for me. It’s for Stewart. I need fifty thousand pounds.”

“What?” Grace cried. “Why does Stewart need that amount of money? That is a fortune.”

One tear slid down Hope’s cheek. In all their years together, Grace could count on one hand the amount of times she’d seen her cry.

“This is difficult,” Hope whispered.

“I’m your sister. I will not judge you.” Whatever trouble Stewart Arnold had found, Grace would not put any of the blame on Hope.

Hope studied her entwined fingers. “Stewart has amassed several debts across Amesbury and around London. That’s what I need the money for. He doesn’t have enough to pay for the gambling debts this time.” A gut-wrenching sound erupted, and Hope slapped a hand over her mouth.

“So, this isn’t the first time he’s amassed gambling debts?” Instantly, Grace fell to her knees beside her sister and took her in her arms. “I’m sorry you’re in such pain. I’ll do anything I can to help.”

“Anything?” Hope asked with a yearning glint in her eye. “Marry Pelham and ask him for the money.”

Grace pulled away and shook her head. “I can’t do that.”

“Why not?” Her tone was sharp as her eyes narrowed on Grace.

“Why should the duke give you or Stewart any money? It wouldn’t feel right to marry Pelham and then ask for a fortune to pay a relative’s gambling debt,” Grace said softly as she patted Hope’s hand.

“And why not?” Her sister pulled her hand from hers. “Pelham owns a gambling hell. He knows how debts accrue and how easily they can be erased the next night.” Hope’s cheeks burned crimson in indignation.

Grace’s eyes must have widened to the size of dinner plates at her sister’s outburst. “Pardon me?”

“Don’t ‘pardon me’ with that innocent act of yours. You might have been able to fool Mother and Father with such theatrics, but your wiles never worked on me.” Hope pointed a finger in Grace’s face. “No matter how much I tried to win their affection, there was never a day that I wasn’t reminded that they loved you more than me.” Her sister was so angry that spittle flew from her mouth. “But I’d always attempted to do the right thing and never caused them a hint of disgrace.” She sneered as she raked her gaze up and down Grace’s body. “But you and your high and mighty duke are a walking scandal.” She shook her head. “I know that you spent several nights in his bedroom.”

Grace shook her head as she leaned away and stood. “You have no idea what privately occurred between Pelham and me.” She sat in the chair opposite Hope.

“Just like I do not know that you spurned him all those years ago because of your foolish pride.”

Her sister wasn’t in her right mind at the moment. Perhaps Stewart had so upset Hope that she didn’t know what she was saying. Grace had never heard such bitterness spew from her sister’s mouth. Hope had always tried to lecture her even if Grace was older, but this was entirely different.

“Having a few naked women on his lap isn’t a reason to not marry him. You should have thought of that all those years ago. Thankfully, it doesn’t bother you now. Everyone in London knows that he had naked women hanging all over him at the Jolly Rooster, then he went home and found you in his bed.” She huffed her distaste.

It no longer bothered her since Dane had explained everything. There wasn’t a thing he would not do for her because that was the type of man he was—a protector.

But it wasn’t for her to share with Hope. Nor would she allow Hope to cause her to doubt the man she loved.

“Grace,” her sister hissed even more flustered. “Do not cross me on this. Marry Pelham as soon as possible and give me the money.”

Time stood still as the unspoken word “or” stood between them.

This time, it was Grace who swallowed her unease. “Or what?”

Hope wrinkled her nose as if smelling something foul. “Or I shall ruin you and Pelham as well.”

Grace gripped the chair arms as her pulse pounded. The words her sister spewed were pure malice. “You don’t mean that.”

Hope rolled her eyes. “Do not play the innocent with me. Imagine what the ton would say if they knew that you had slept with Pelham as he was courting Lady Athena. It is an easy explanation for why the young woman fled London.”

“That’s not true.” Grace shook her head. She could not divulge Athena’s secret without causing her permanent damage. Yet, Hope sat there, ready to destroy them all.

“It doesn’t make any difference if it’s true. People love gossip. You would lose your livelihood. No one would trust their daughter’s future to you. You slept with a client, for God’s sake.”

She had not felt this powerless since the day Hope and Stewart practically threw her out of the house. It was ironic. She’d been worried about society turning on her, but it was her own sister who was doing just that.

“Imagine how your duke would take the news that while you were sleeping in his bed, you were taking money from Lord Marbury to persuade him to marry Athena.” Hope tapped her forefinger to her chin and stared at the ceiling. “Or perhaps he did know and didn’t care as long as he could have you in his bed and marry her.”

“How did you hear that?” Needing distance from Hope's vitriol, Grace stepped away from the chair she clutched with a death grip.

“Stewart was at White’s last night. Marbury was foxed and crying to anyone who would listen, how he lost the love of his life. Stewart took pity and sat with him. The earl shared your little agreement to convince Pelham to marry Athena.”

Grace had never been this angry in her entire life. How dare her sister come into her home and make such insinuations and threats about the man she loved, along with a young woman who had no idea about any of this?

“There’s no scandal. You need to leave. Now,” Grace growled in a low voice. “I never want to hear another word from you. And in case it isn’t clear, you are not welcome anymore.”

Both stood at the same time, but Hope wore a smug smile.

“Grace, there’s no need to become defensive. Just get Pelham to give you the money, and all will be well.” She leaned close and lowered her voice. “You must understand. I love Stewart, and I’ll do anything to protect him.”

Grace lifted her chin. It was ironic that she and Hope shared the same trait. Grace would do anything to protect Dane. “I don’t care.”

Hope narrowed her eyes and took a step closer. “You should care because I have no qualms about going to Pelham and telling him the truth about you. Your impending marriage and reputation would be ruined.”

Grace shook her head and stared at the floor. Her sister had no idea the lengths she would go to protect Dane, even if it meant giving him up and allowing herself to be ruined in the process. That was the thing when you loved someone with your whole heart. You would sacrifice everything to protect them.

“Or you could see him yourself and secure the money I need.”

Grace waved a hand toward the sitting room door. “Oh, I plan to see him. Don’t worry, dear sister.” Grace nimbly stepped around her. “John, will you escort Mrs. Arnold out and make sure she never returns?”

Her footman’s eyes widened, then narrowed in understanding. “Of course, my lady. It would be my pleasure.”

“My pleasure as well,” Grace murmured so no one could hear. “Thank you, John. If you’ll wait by the door for my sister,” she said politely. Once John was far enough away that he couldn’t hear her next words, she turned to Hope and crossed her arms over her chest. “What if word spread through the ton that your husband was an inveterate gambler who doesn’t pay his debts?”

Hope laughed as if Grace had said something funny. “I see you do have a backbone.” She wiped her eyes. “Then that makes my story all the more truthful. Stewart’s name has never been linked to gambling, but rumors are already swirling about what you’ve done. It’s only a matter of time before your precious duke finds out the truth.” She picked up her reticule and stood by the door. “Grace, come now. We’re family. Just ask him for the money, and all this unpleasantness will be swept under the rug. Send word to me at our London home. We’ll be here for a fortnight.”

When the door closed, Grace exhaled and took a deep breath, but it did little to alleviate the suffocating feeling of drowning. She collapsed into a chair and buried her head in her hands. Now was the time to finally share everything she had done.

She had lied to Dane by not telling him about the arrangement with Marbury and why she had thought it a godsend. Of course, she loved him then, but she didn’t believe he wanted to reconcile.

Grace swallowed the nausea that threatened her as she wrapped her arms around her waist to ward off the sudden chill. She would not allow Dane to become embroiled in her family’s tawdry business and their threats.

Now would she allow him to suffer because of her mistakes, such as failing to tell him when she had the chance to explain her actions. She loved him more than her livelihood or reputation. Tonight, she would share everything with him before Stewart or Hope told him first.

Even if it meant losing him forever.