Page 4 of A Simple Scandal (Millionaires of Mayfair #3)

Three

G race sipped her tea and closed her eyes. This time of the morning was her absolute favorite. The whole of London was on the verge of waking and preparing for the day. But she’d already had a head start since the neighbor’s rooster had been crowing since five o’clock this morning. It was strange that she never experienced the daily ritual of waking to a loud, obnoxious fowl when she lived in Amesbury at her father’s summer estate. But in the city, she seemed to hear every sound. Perhaps it was because she was alone. She dismissed the thought. She wasn’t scared of anything.

Except being on the streets.

Theo knocked on the door of the small dining room. “Ma’am, several letters have arrived, along with a package and a new bouquet.”

She quickly replaced her teacup on its saucer. She never received much mail unless it was a bill. But those usually came at the end of the month.

Her butler set a large package and several letters on the table before placing the flowers on her desk. It was a beautiful bouquet of deep red roses.

“Who are they from?”

“The flower girl on the corner. When I asked her, she said, and I quote, ‘a friendly nob.’” Theo shook his head with a grin.

“Perhaps she has the wrong house.” Grace frowned slightly. “And the package?” She pulled it closer. From the feel of it, it had to be fabric of some sort.

“It doesn’t say.” Theo rocked back on his heels. “A delivery boy dropped it off. When I asked him who it was from, he scampered off.”

A bell clanged at the back of the house.

“That must be the coal man.” Her butler nodded once, then turned to answer the back door.

She closed her eyes and offered a silent prayer of thanks. At least she had paid his bill that morning with the three pounds Theo managed to acquire from selling her gown and shoes. They would have fuel for the coming month. Thankfully, Dane’s generous payment for her services should cover a year’s rent unless some sort of catastrophe occurred. She turned her attention to the package in front of her.

With little fanfare, Grace untied the bow of twine, her hands unusually steady despite the turmoil swirling inside her. The paper crinkled as she pulled it apart, the sound sharp in the otherwise silent room. She bit her lower lip, a nervous habit she hadn’t indulged in years, as the contents were revealed.

She blinked slowly, her eyes widening as if trying to convince herself that what she saw was real. The world around her seemed to blur and quiet, the soft ticking of the mantel clock and the faint rustle of leaves outside the window faded to nothing. It was as if time had paused to let her absorb the shock of seeing her shoes and dress before her.

This had to have been the work of Theo. He’d offered to loan her money, and when she’d refused, perhaps this was his way of trying to help. Her throat tightened as she thought of his lovely gesture. It meant the world to her, but it couldn’t stand. She was a grown woman and would not allow her elderly servant to take on the burden of providing for her.

She stood with her dress and held it up. It was still as gorgeous as ever without a mark on it. When she glanced at her shoes, she saw a note sticking out of one of them.

A beautiful dress and a beautiful lady should never be apart.

She smiled slightly at the compliment. Perhaps Theo never sold it in the first place.

Her smile grew into a frown as she studied the note. The handwriting wasn’t Theo’s typical scrawl. The words before her were elegant and bold.

Still thinking about the dress, Grace picked up another missive without looking at the address and broke the seal. Suddenly all the air was sucked out of the room. It was a letter on E. Cavensham Commerce stationery informing her that she was now the owner of a banking account with a thousand pounds available.

Grace exhaled softly, dislodging a lock of hair that had escaped her chignon. This wasn’t Theo’s doing; he hadn’t saved enough from his meager earnings for such extravagance. Still clutching the letter, she sank into her chair. Nor could this be her brother-in-law’s handiwork, as he would never part with his money. If it had been him, he would’ve handed it to her while boasting about his generosity to anyone who would listen. Then he would have bragged about helping his wife’s spinster older sister. Her sister would undoubtedly hang on to his every word, scolding Grace to be more grateful and reminding her that her husband didn’t have to be so generous.

If it wasn’t them, then who? She rested her forehead in the palm of her hand.

It couldn’t be him.

But who else would it be? Dane had the funds and had been present when Theo announced that he was off to the market. The dress and shoes were in the entry when Dane arrived. When it was time to leave, she had escorted him to the door, where he must have noticed that the dress was gone. Then he’d put two and two together.

That was the problem with a man like Dane Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham. He was too wily for his own good. There was only one thing to do. If she kept the dress, she’d have to find three pounds to reimburse him and return the letter from E. Cavensham Commerce.

She shook her head as a smile tugged at her lips. Perhaps the man thought he was too clever by half. She should return the dress and shoes to him, then ask if he’d like to purchase her lilac evening gown. It was the perfect color to match his complexion, but she’d have to warn him that it would be a tad short, but a lovely lace ruffle at the bottom would make the gown appropriate for him to wear.

Then she would offer to sell him her entire wardrobe if he wanted to acquire more.

What she wouldn’t give to see his expression if she offered to sell some of her favorite reticules to match the dresses.

She should be angry, but she couldn’t be. Not when her heartbeat accelerated, knowing he’d been thinking about her and perhaps worried on her behalf.

Frankly, she was worried about herself, too. It was comforting to know someone thought to look out for her well-being. But such generosity would make it appear as if she were his mistress.

She opened another missive. This one was from Adam Howard, Dane’s secretary. She scanned the note as her brow furrowed. He wanted to meet with her at her earliest convenience to review the duke’s social calendar. He’d suggested they meet at one o’clock today as the duke was anxious to attend to the matters at hand.

She didn’t have to look at her own calendar to know she was available. She didn’t have any other clients. She recognized the Earl of Marbury's crest when she picked up the final missive to break the seal.

She read the first paragraph, then tipped her head to the ceiling and smiled as she said a silent thank you. There was a heaven after all. The earl wanted her assistance in helping his ward, Lady Athena Westcott, make her introduction to society. He also wanted to secure the girl a husband as quickly as possible since she was on her own after her parents had passed away last year.

Grace quickly picked up her dress, shoes, and letters and made her way to her study to answer the missives.

Finally, her financial wherewithal was starting to look upward.

That meant she could be more discriminating in her work and dismiss the beguiling, not to mention irritating, Duke of Pelham.

Grace took Theo’s hand as she stepped out of the carriage. Thank heavens for her butler’s many and varied accomplishments. He was not only an excellent butler, cook, and footman but also a safe carriage driver. “I don’t know how long I shall be, but it shouldn’t be more than an hour.”

“Take your time, my lady. The horses will be fine. We’ll be waiting for you.” Theo smiled as he clasped his hands in front of him. He never seemed to be out of sorts with her unpredictable schedule, and she appreciated his good humor.

“Thank you.” She smoothed her pelisse as she strolled to the Earl of Marbury’s front door. Even though money was always a worry, this was her forte. No one was better prepared than she to discuss possible matrimonial matches with a concerned father or, in this case, a father figure.

Before she could knock, a footman opened the door and bowed. “Lady Grace?”

She nodded. “Yes. I’m here to see the earl. I have an appointment.”

“Lord Marbury is expecting you.” He ushered her inside the formal atrium, where a massive wooden table sat with a vase filled with hothouse flowers. Their cloying scent filled the air. Only wealthy peers had a conservatory in their London homes. Hopefully, the earl would not balk at the fees for her services. The footman escorted her down a passageway tiled in black and white marble, then stopped outside an open double door.

“My lord? Lady Grace Webster is here.” The footman bowed again, then waved her inside.

Expecting a middle-aged peer with a paunchy midriff, Grace was taken aback by the young lord who rose from his desk. Jasper Elliot, the Earl of Marbury, stood tall with dark hair and a slim build. The handsome earl couldn’t be much older than five and twenty. His hair was cut in the latest fashion, giving him an air of maturity.

She wondered if perhaps he needed her services as well. The day was already starting to look brighter.

“Come in, my lady,” he murmured. He came around his desk, took Grace’s hand, and bent at the waist. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

“For me as well,” Grace answered.

He waved a hand to a chair in front of his desk. “Please sit. Would you care for something to drink?”

“No, thank you.”

He nodded, then took his seat behind the desk. “Lady Athena will be joining us shortly, but I wanted to have a moment to speak with you privately.”

“Of course.” With an elegance instilled in her since childhood, she sat and gave the young earl her undivided attention.

The earl rested his elbows on his desk and solemnly regarded her. “I want Athena engaged and married as soon as possible. It does neither of our reputations any good for her to be under my roof. I’m young, and she’s younger. Yet, I’m responsible for her.” He sighed, clearly burdened by the weight of his responsibilities. “I’m her guardian because our fathers were the best of friends. I’m five years older than Athena.”

“My deepest condolences to you and Lady Athena.” Grace bowed her head demurely.

“Thank you.” The earl nodded in acknowledgment, then arched an eyebrow. “I don’t think you’ll have any issues with her. She’s a beauty, attended finishing school, and has impeccable manners. She’s accomplished at the piano and needlework. She attended finishing school, which helped prepare her for the world. She could step into a household as mistress this very day and manage it successfully.”

“Are you in need of a chaperone for her while she’s living under your roof?” Grace smiled sweetly. The man was nervous if the sweat dotting his brow was any indication.

He shook his head. “Athena’s aunt on her mother’s side is traveling from York to stay with us.”

“I understand. If you need my services until her aunt arrives, I’ll be more than happy to stay here?—”

“That won’t be necessary. I expect her aunt any day.”

“Fine.” Grace pulled out her journal and a newly sharpened pencil from her reticule. “Would you like to know my fees before we start to plan which events would be the most suitable for Lady Athena?”

“Money is no object. I just want her married to an acceptable man and quickly.” He pulled a handkerchief from his waistcoat pocket and wiped his forehead. “Bloody hot in here.” He stopped and stared at her with wide eyes. “I do apologize for my choice of words. I’m normally not so flustered, but it’s been a vexing ordeal since Athena came to live here.”

Grace smelled a rat or at least a large mouse. Why was he so nervous? Perhaps Athena wasn’t the paragon of perfection Lord Marbury had represented. “I’ll be anxious to make her acquaintance.”

A knock sounded on the door. “And I am anxious to meet you. I’ve heard marvelous things about you, Lady Grace.”

When Grace looked up, she stilled in her chair. A beautiful young woman entered the room with a shy smile. She glanced at the earl, then immediately blushed.

“Come in, Athena.” Lord Marbury’s voice cracked, and he cleared his throat. “Come meet Lady Grace, and we’ll discuss your future.”

“I already know my future, my lord.” She sat in the seat indicated and turned her full attention to Grace. “He wants to marry me off to the first man who even sneezes in my direction. I make Marbury uncomfortable living here. He won’t admit his feelings where I am an open book.”

“I’ve asked you to cease saying such things,” Lord Marbury hissed.

The young lady pointed at the earl as she smiled in Grace’s direction. “And there’s your evidence that what I’m saying is the truth.”

“Do you think you can help me?” Lord Marbury shook his head. “I meant, do you think you can help her.”

Grace bowed her head to hide her smile. There was definitely something afoot, but it wasn’t anything foul. On the contrary, it was love. The couple before her felt it, but only one would acknowledge it.

“I think I can help both of you.” Grace smiled politely. “But you both must attend the events together. Since you’re her guardian, I think it worthwhile for you to see your ward interact with the gentlemen I introduce her to.” She turned to Athena. “I assume since you’ve newly arrived in London, you haven’t had a chance to prepare a wardrobe for the Season.”

Athena nodded.

“I have the perfect modiste you must see. She’s a friend of mine who recently married.”

“You’re friends with a mantua-maker?” the young lord asked incredulously.

“Indeed. I’m friends with the haberdashery owner, the baker, the muffin man, and the night watchman, not to mention various peers and their family members. It’s good business to have a wide variety of friends.” She turned his way. “The mantua-maker you refer to is the Marchioness of Ravenscroft and the Duke of Pelham’s sister.”

“Oh, the duke is dreamy,” Athena sighed as she relaxed in her chair. “All the girls from boarding school laud his virtues and how handsome he is.”

“What balderdash,” Lord Marbury mumbled. “He’s a gambler.”

Grace whipped her head to stare at the young lord. “The Duke of Pelham is a highly respected peer who happens to be one of the wealthiest men in the entire kingdom. He’s known for his generosity to charities and foundling homes. He just so happens to also own a coaching inn where men of similar ilk as you like to wager on games of chance.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. She was all but ensuring that she’d lose Lord Marbury and his ward as clients the way she was speaking to him.

“I stand by what I said.” He puffed out his chest. “Lady Grace, only men possessing high morals and honor should have the privilege of meeting Athena.”

“Marbury, please,” Athena cajoled. You make me sound like the Virgin Mary, which we both know is hardly the case.”

“You must cease such chatter. That is not polite conversation,” Marbury retorted.

As the two bickered, Grace sat back in her chair. What the devil was she doing defending Dane?

Her father had shared the same opinion about Dane as Marbury. Her father had said he was a rake, a gambler, and a man not to be trusted. He’d seen Dane completely foxed and surrounded by all those women at the Jolly Rooster playing high-stakes card games.

It was the same day that Dane had asked her to marry him.