Page 25 of A Simple Scandal (Millionaires of Mayfair #3)

Twenty-Four

G race nodded at Ritson, Dane’s London butler.

“Welcome to Ardeerton House. Please come in, my lady.” Ritson beamed as he snapped his finger at the footman dressed in the Pelham gold and silver livery. “We’ve all been expecting you.”

She smiled demurely. They wouldn’t be expecting her again after tonight. She swallowed, hoping to dissipate the sadness that hung over her head. She only hoped she would not turn into a blubbering mess this evening and could leave with her head held high.

She smoothed her dress and took a deep breath. She could do this. She had faced worse than this and survived, but nothing would break her heart more than losing Dane. Though she would earn his disdain, and it would feel as if she’d been stabbed in the chest, she had no other course. She had to protect him.

“Thank you.” She glanced at the entry table, which was adorned with a crystal vase that seemed to reach the ceiling. It was overflowing with stunning roses and branches of holly. How fitting that both their prickles and thorns were meant to protect against any threats. Perhaps it was a sign of how the night would unfold. She gasped slightly as tears filled her eyes, but she pushed them away. Once she returned home, she could cry her eyes out.

“There you are,” Dane called out with a jovial smile as he approached her from his study. Before she could greet him properly, he halted in his stride. He took his time as he allowed his gaze to peruse the length of her. “Ritson, Aphrodite has come to dine with me this evening.”

Ritson chuckled, and the footman by his side joined in.

“Indeed, Your Grace,” Ritson answered.

By then, Dane was beside her and took her hands in his. “Let me take a good look at you.” The smile that tugged at his lips was pure mischief. “That gown is stunning on you. However, it’s my opinion that you make the gown stunning.”

She couldn’t help but smile at his compliment. She’d chosen a simple cream silk that shimmered with every step. Pippa had designed it, especially for Grace, saying the gown would bring Pelham to his knees when he saw it. Perhaps it would allow him to have at least one positive memory of her tonight.

He pulled her close and pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek, then whispered for her ears alone, “It’ll be more stunning when it’s laying over a chair, and I have you naked in my bed.”

“Dane,” she scolded, but no real rebuke sounded in her voice. She had no standing to challenge him.

“Come, my little temptress.” He offered his arm, and she wrapped hers around his. “I thought we could have a brandy before dinner.”

“I would like that.” It was precisely what she needed. A brandy would give her the liquid courage to say everything she needed tonight.

“Do you mind if I escort you to my study instead of the salon? I wanted to have a word with you before dinner.”

She nodded her agreement. Privacy would allow her to talk to him without his staff overhearing their conversation.

When they crossed the threshold, he closed the door.

Instantly, she found herself pressed against the hardwood.

“I’ve been dying to do this all day,” he murmured, cupping her cheeks and pressing his lips to hers. His body encased hers in heat, and his familiar scent surrounded her, giving her comfort, even if it was just a brief respite. His lips moved softly over hers before his tongue traced the seam of her lips, begging for entry. She could deny him nothing and didn’t want to, for that matter. This might be the last time she ever kissed him.

For the love of heaven, she would make herself sick with such thoughts.

As his tongue slowly slid against hers, Grace’s body melted against him. She’d never felt such a need and desire for a man as she did with Dane. He was everything good, kind, and protective. The urge to drop to her knees and beg his forgiveness loomed like a rogue wave, a force she couldn’t withstand. When she pulled slightly away, he pulled her nearer. Perhaps it was selfish, but she hoped this kiss would last forever so she didn’t have to confess everything this evening.

But that wasn’t who she was. Whatever came from their discussion, she needed to face it. Living in this constant state of apprehension was unbearable. When she smoothed her hands against the strong breadth of his chest, the muscles under her palms flexed.

Gently, she pushed him away. “Dane, I have something most urgent that I must tell you before you speak.”

His brow gathered into neat lines. He leaned in and kissed her once, then nodded. “Sounds ominous, especially when you’ve interrupted a perfect kiss.” He took her hands in his and grinned. “There’s that blush that always enchants me.”

“Dane,” she warned. “Please don’t distract me. This is important.”

“Come then.” Not releasing her hand, he took her to his desk and motioned for her to sit across from him. “But I must do something first.” He grinned as he opened a desk drawer and pulled out a long velvet box. Without breaking her gaze, he rounded the desk and leaned against it before her. He extended the velvet-covered box to her. “Open it, darling.”

Her heart faltered for a second in its beat. The man wanted to give her a gift, and she was about to divulge how she’d betrayed him. “Perhaps you should hear what I say before you give me this.”

“No, Grace. It would give me great pleasure to see you open this.” He cupped her cheek and tilted her chin until their gazes met. “I love you and want you to have it. Please open it.”

Without tearing her gaze from his, she opened the box slowly. When she glanced down, her breath caught. “Oh, Dane,” she murmured breathlessly. She lifted her head and became lost in his dark blue eyes. “It’s my mother’s necklace.” Tears burned her eyes. For a moment, all she could do was shake her head. She couldn’t form the words to ask where he found it and how he did it.

“Darling, breathe,” he said softly, wiping away an errant tear. “I found it in a small shop just outside of London. The proprietor told me he’d had it for years. He couldn’t sell it because no one could afford it.”

“But why?” Grace looked at the beautiful pearl and sapphire necklace. Reverently, she ran her fingers gently over the pearls and gems. It was just as she remembered. The pearls glowed with a luster that reminded her of her mother. She’d always worn it as it was her favorite piece. “I don’t know what to say.” She shook her head as another set of tears fell. “I never thought I’d see it again.”

“I promised you that I’d find it, and I did.” He picked up the necklace and clasped it around her neck. He leaned back and admired his handiwork. “Beautiful, just like you. I scoured London and the surrounding area until I found it. It’s yours, Grace. It’s always been yours. Just as my heart has been and always will be yours. One day, it’ll be our daughter’s necklace. Just as you planned.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She didn’t deserve such love or kindness from Dane. Not after what she’d done. “I don’t know where to start.”

“Tell me. Whatever it is, we can find our way together.”

Why did he have to be so kind to her?

Because that was who he was, and she had to trust him.

“I’ve betrayed you.”

Every inch of Dane’s body froze as he stared at her. It didn’t matter what she was about to confess. He would forgive her and do everything he could to demonstrate how much he loved and needed her.

“Start at the beginning,” he coaxed. He took one of her hands in his. It was ice-cold. Instinctively, he rubbed it between his.

“Lord Marbury approached me after you invited him and Athena to Pelham Hall. He made me an offer. He'd give me five thousand pounds if you became engaged to Lady Athena. If you married her before the end of the Season, he’d give me ten thousand pounds.” She swallowed thickly, but his brave darling continued, “After leaving Pelham Hall, he gave me the money even though you had no interest in Athena. But I returned it.” She bowed as if waiting for the executioner’s ax to fall. “I wanted to use the money to purchase a home. I wanted Theo and myself to have security for our futures. It’s no excuse. I gambled with your future just as my father gambled with mine.”

Though Marbury had told him about the agreement, he’d wondered when she’d tell him. He knew that, eventually, she would. That was Grace. She could never live with herself otherwise. But her confession only confirmed his suspicions as to why she made such an agreement.

But that niggle of doubt wormed his way into his heart. Before he could tamp it down, he asked, “Does that mean that you didn’t want me?”

Her gaze snapped to his, almost bringing him to his knees. His Grace was in such pain. He could see the turmoil swirling in her caramel eyes. Tears flowed freely.

“Never think that.” She sobbed and brought her hand to her mouth. The wretched sound filled the room.

He did the only thing he could. He took her into his arms and held her. He rocked her slightly as he tried to comfort her.

“I was so frightened.” Her head was buried in his chest, but he could hear every word she said. “You see, my neighbor next door was evicted the day that Marbury came to see me with the offer. I had failed to pay my rent on time earlier in the year.”

“Hush, darling,” he murmured. “I understand. There’s no need to fret.”

She leaned back slightly but didn’t release his lapels. She was holding on for dear life—and she always could. He would do everything in his power to protect her.

“But my heart was broken. If you had made a match with Athena, I had decided that Theo and I would move to Cornwall. I couldn’t bear to be near you when you were married to another.” She sobbed into his chest again as if utterly defeated. “I was going to tell you earlier, but I was a coward, especially after you told me about firing your footman.”

Dane had had enough. He swept her into his arms and walked to the couch. He sat down and settled her on his lap. “My poor darling. Don’t cry.” He tilted his gaze toward the ceiling and sniffed. Damnable tears. Who knew they were contagious? “There’s nothing to forgive.” Dane kissed her forehead. His shirt was soaked with her tears, but this was the only place he wanted to be—holding her, comforting her.

Forever.

She lifted her head from his chest and wiped her eyes. “I’m no different than my father or your footman Matthew. How can you forgive me that easily?”

“Firstly, you love me. This means that I know in here”—Dane placed his hand over her heart—“you would never hurt me intentionally. Secondly, I love and adore you. I meant what I said. I will not lose you again.”

She sniffed. “I never want to lose you.”

“Good, because you’re stuck with me forever. Now, quit interrupting.” He gave her his best ducal expression. “I’m a duke. You can interrupt me anytime you like when you're my duchess.” He grunted and rolled his eyes. “That’s a falsehood. You interrupt me now all the time. I can’t wait to see what you’re like when you’re my duchess.”

She laughed, which was his intention all along.

“Thirdly, my darling, not all betrayals are inexcusable. You were protecting yourself and Theo.” He cupped her cheeks and rubbed his thumbs over her tender skin. “Let me tell you a story. My father was a vicious man. When Honoria thought our father had destroyed her favorite pony, she was devastated. It was only until years later that we learned the truth. Winston and Ritson had rescued the pony without the old duke being any wiser. They loved Honoria and wanted to protect her pony. Yet they knew what happened could never be divulged, or the old duke would have dismissed them without any references. They had even hidden it from me.”

She blinked several times as she listened to the story. “What an evil man.”

“I agree.” He pressed a kiss to her lips and pressed his forehead to hers. “What they did was a betrayal. But they had good reasons for doing what they did. I would always forgive them for that because they were protecting our family. Just as you were protecting yours.”

Her brow furrowed slightly. It appeared that her sorrow had lessened, but she was still upset.

“You should know that Hope came to see me. She needs fifty thousand pounds. Apparently, Stewart is a gambler and cannot pay his debts. She told me if I didn’t ask you for the money, she would come to you and tell you what I did.” She grabbed his lapels again. “I would have told you. Please believe that.”

“I do, darling,” He pulled her close. “But it’s not Stewart who has the gambling problem.”

“What do you mean?” Her voice quivered as her eyes searched his.

It gave him all the more reason to pull her tighter to him. “It’s your sister. Hope is the one who needs fifty thousand pounds.”

Grace stared at him. “Hope? No, she said it was Stewart.”

“I’m sorry, darling.” He gently stroked her cheek. “I had a long conversation with Stewart, but that was only after I found your father’s old bookkeeper. He revealed everything to me. Your sister is the one who stole your dowry and inheritance to cover her gambling debts. She also made Stewart sign the Sommer House deed over to Brixworth to settle a debt. Your father wanted you to have it. When your father was sick, she altered his bookkeeping journals and private documents to make it appear that he was the one gambling instead of her.”

“Really?” She shook her head. “My father…”

“Your father loved you.”

There was no point in saying anything. They both understood that her father hadn’t neglected to provide for her future. Her sister took everything from her and forced Grace to find her way without assistance. That changed when Dane came back into her life. Never again would Grace have to worry about her security.

“Stewart told me that Hope has been gambling since before he married her. She’s practically bankrupted him. He also came to me and asked for the money.”

“Dane, I don’t want?—”

“Do not fret, darling. It’s done. Hope is out of debt. However, she’s no longer welcome into any respectable gambling establishments. I’ve had her banned.”

Grace nodded her agreement. “I’ll find a way to repay you.”

“You will not.” Dane’s heart pounded against his chest. Grace’s actions spoke louder than words. She loved him too much to profit off him, even if it meant she could no longer realize her dream of home and security. “There’s no need. Stewart has agreed to return the money to me over time with interest. Let me show you something else.” He brought her to his desk and pulled out his bookkeeping journal. He flipped it to the beginning. “See this? This is what I won from Scoville all those years ago. I’ve invested it. This is the latest entry.” He pointed to the page.

“You’re worth that much?” She shook her head in disbelief.

He couldn’t help but laugh. “Probably more, love. This was two weeks ago.” He pulled her close. “Darling, you’re not a gambler. Your father wasn’t a gambler. But I am. A careful one.” He pointed to the amount listed in the last entry. “This is for our family. I would never risk that. I don’t gamble with my money or the ducal estate monies—only the profits from the Jolly Rooster. I guess you could say it’s my entertainment money.” He leaned in closer and winked. “I’ll share with you.”

She turned her earnest gaze to his. “You are the most honorable man I’ve had the good fortune to meet. I hope you can forgive me and my treacherous family.”

“There’s one more thing you should know about your family. Not all of them are scandalous. The Earl of Webster-Harnly had no idea that you needed shelter. Stewart and Hope didn’t contact him for fear that you would discover what had happened to the estate and your inheritance. He still employs your father’s bookkeeper.”

“I guess there’s a silver lining there, but it’s pretty dull if you ask me.” Devastation darkened her eyes as she chewed her bottom lip.

“Stop, darling.” He stroked his thumb over the soft skin. “If anyone is going to nibble on your delectable lips, it’s me.”

She was clearly distracted as she didn’t answer or challenge him. “At least he’s not the ogre I thought he was. But that doesn’t excuse the rest of my family.”

“No, he’s not an ogre. He’s rather a charming fellow. He said he would call upon you and ask for your help securing a suitable bride.” Dane kissed her cheek, then lifted Grace and sat her on the sofa facing him as he knelt beside her. “Thank you for telling me all this.”

“I couldn’t let my shameful family harm your reputation.” She clasped her hands in her lap. “Even if you would hate me.”

“Let me tell you something about family, darling. I am your family, and I don’t want to hear you deny it. Honor, Pippa, and those ham-fisted men they’ve married are your family.”

She frowned. “Ravenscroft and Trafford are your best friends,”

He tapped his chin for a moment. “I suppose you’re right.” A half-smile tugged at his lips as he winked at her. “As I was saying, it doesn’t matter if we share any blood. We share something far more precious—our hopes, dreams, disappointments, and, especially, our hearts. That creates a bond stronger than blood.” He kissed the top of her hand. “You might think Hope and Stewart are your true family, but they aren’t. They didn’t care or shelter you as a family should. But I will if you allow it.”

She nodded.

“I will do everything in my power to ensure you feel loved, wanted, and cared for the rest of your life.”

Gentle tears fell down her face.

“Now, now, I can’t have my bride-to-be shedding tears.” He reached into his pocket and found the small wooden box he’d put there earlier. “Speaking of brides…”

Grace gasped when he opened the lid.

“Will you do me the highest honor I will ever receive and marry me?” He reached for her hand and slipped a gold sapphire ring on her finger.

“It’s the color of your eyes.” Grace smiled through her tears.

But he knew her well enough to know that they were happy ones. “I thought so also. I wanted you to have a reminder that even if I’m not by your side, you will always be in my heart.”

“I love you.”

He arched an eyebrow. “That wasn’t the answer I was looking for, though I cherish every time you say it.”

She blushed. “Yes. I’d be honored to marry you.” She peeked at him, wearing a grin. “I always said you were a walking scandal, but it was always me.”

“It was a simple scandal, Grace. Mine are always much bigger.” He contemplated the ring on her finger. “The stone doesn’t have quite the same brilliance of my eyes, but it’s a good replica.”

“You are such a duke,” she playfully scolded. “But I wouldn’t change a thing about you. But shouldn’t you wait to put the ring on my finger?”

“You know me. I’m always impatient when it comes to churches and vicars.” He stood and pulled her into his arms. “That’s why I have a special license in my pocket and the family vicar waiting for us in the salon.” He kissed her with a passion that would leave no doubt how much he wanted her. “Marry me, Grace. Now.”

“I’ve never been able to say no to a handsome, kind, patient, passionate, protective, and, not to mention, efficient man.” She laughed and took his hand in hers. “Let us be married.”