Page 34 of Grace in Glasgow (Seduced in Scotland #3)

G race meandered along one of the crushed stone paths in Kelvingrove Park, hands behind her back as she followed her aunt, Arabella, and Mr. Milton from a short distance behind.

It had been two days since the scene in James’s office and while they had spoken professionally since, it had only been short sentences or single word answers, volleyed back and forth between them, in a way that strangers might speak to one another.

She hadn’t even the courage to ask about his investigation with the constable, but by his chilled attitude toward her, she could only assume that nothing of importance had been discovered.

It was crushing to be so distant from him, particularly working side by side with him, but then Grace was sure she deserved it.

The reality of the situation was that she didn’t have any proof that Mr. Roberts was in any way involved with the graverobbing and she was merely trying to thread two stitches of fabric together without any string.

“Come along, Grace! Don’t dawdle.”

“Yes, Aunt Belle.”

If anyone’s mood had improved as of late, it was her aunt’s.

She appeared positively chipper since Grace arrived home the day of her argument with James, calling the entire incident curious before ringing Mrs. Stevens to serve a rather decadent berry jam cake, layered with dollops of heavy cream.

She had said it was to lift Grace’s spirits, but she had appeared far too pleased with herself and Grace had gone to her room instead.

Even today, with a gloomy overcast sky above and the rumblings of a thunderstorm on the horizon, Aunt Belle seemed particularly light of foot, considering that she usually walked slower whenever it rained.

But today she was on the arm of Mr. Milton, who was doing his diligence to keep his attention on Grace without crowding her, by peering over his shoulder every so often as they strolled through the park.

Mr. Milton would never raise his voice at her, Grace thought as she kicked a stone from her path.

He probably wouldn’t even know how to be cross with someone.

But the guilt of comparing the two men seemed to swallow Grace up, pulling her deeper into her own misery.

The truth was that it didn’t matter if Mr. Milton was the kindest, most patient man in the world. He wasn’t James.

Grace’s footsteps slowed as the realization dawned on her.

She would rather be in James’s company, with all the tension and wretchedness she felt in his presence, than be with someone who was amiable and pleasantly tame at all times.

What did that say about her? Was she a glutton for punishment, or merely too thick minded to realize what was best for herself?

Surely she must be ill in the mind to want to be near James, even in this very moment, to try and work through their issues than stroll with a man who seemed so perfectly suited for her.

“Oh my!” Arabella exclaimed, causing Grace to glance up. “It’s the largest glass house I’ve ever seen!”

There behind the tree line stood a partially finished building made of metal and glass. The top of the structure was pitched, with most of the iron set in place, but only half of the glass panes had been set.

“It will take another few months to be completed, if the snow doesn’t stop us.”

“Grace?” Aunt Belle called, turning around. “Mr. Milton has asked if you might join him for a tour of the greenhouse? He says he’s something important to show you.”

“Of course,” Grace answered as she walked at a faster pace.

All four of them reached the open glass doors of the structure in just a few short minutes. Arabella seemed particularly excited.

“This must be six times larger than my greenhouse at home,” she said upon entering. Twirling around slightly, her eyes widened. “I can only imagine the sort of plants that will be able to grow in here.”

“We’re hoping to have samples from all over the world,” Mr. Milton said as he waved to a few men who were standing in front of an empty pond made of rocks. “Mr. Dalton?”

The man in the center excused himself from the others and came forward.

He was a tall, somewhat gangly man, with a handsome face and honey colored hair and a smattering of freckles across the bridge of his nose, giving him a youthful appearance.

Upon reaching their company, he bowed his head politely until his attention fell on Arabella.

He stared for a moment, blinked as if awakening from an enchantment.

“Yes?”

“Mr. Dalton, may I introduce you to Lady Belle Smyth, Miss Sharpe, and Miss Scott,” he said. “Ladies, this is Mr. Dalton. He is our lead naturalist.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” Arabella said, entranced herself as she lifted her hand for him to take, which he did instantly. “A naturalist?”

“Aye,” he said as he kissed the back of her knuckles.

Aunt Belle leaned slightly back to make eye contact with Grace, who couldn’t help but grin.

“And what does a naturalist do?” Aunt Belle asked. “I fear I’ve heard a similar word before, but I’m almost certain it isn’t what you do here.”

Grace coughed into her fist, trying to hide a laugh. Mr. Milton twisted back and winked at her.

“A naturalist is an expert in natural history. They would study the biology and environment of all matter of things, from plants to animals and the like,” Arabella said. “Isn’t that correct, Mr. Dalton?”

“Quite right, Miss Scott,” the young man said excitedly. “Although, I am more of the study of plants than animals. Particularly for this project.”

“I’m something of a botanist myself, amateur as it were, but still, fascinated by the science of plants.”

The young man’s eyes widened.

“Truly?” Arabella bobbed her head emphatically. “Then perhaps, you might like to take a tour with me? I’d love to show you how we plan to arrange our findings once collected.”

“Yes, please.”

“Then take my arm. The ground can be uneven.”

Arabella took the man’s arm and they glided away, seemingly unaware of everyone else.

“Excuse me,” Aunt Belle said, following after them. “I’m afraid my duty as a chaperone will finally be useful.”

“Be careful,” Grace said, though the old woman just waved her hand in the air as she went. Mr. Milton chuckled as Belle followed after the couple, leaving him alone with Grace. She swallowed as he offered his arm to her.

“May I?” he asked.

Grace took his arm as gingerly as possible.

They walked around the empty pond, out toward the part of the building that wasn’t finished.

Piles of metal beams, some thick and some thin, lined the paths.

Flowerbeds were partially installed, with piles of black dirt nearly every few feet.

Some native plants had already been planted, it seemed.

One particularly large Scotch Broom bush, that towered over them, had been planted at the corner of a plot and as they rounded the bend, they were hidden from everyone else.

“It will be a jewel of a building once completed,” Mr. Milton said. “In fact, I believe it will be the most beautiful building in all of Glasgow. Although I’m sure its beauty will not compare to yours.”

Grace blanched at the compliment, feeling somehow worse than before. When she didn’t speak, Mr. Milton’s steps paused.

“Are you feeling all right, Miss Sharpe? You don’t seem yourself.”

They had met a handful of times; how would he know what her true self was like? But she didn’t say that. Instead, she shook her head.

“Indeed, I’m not feeling my best.”

“Are you ill?”

“Possibly,” she said offhandedly. Thinking of how much her heart hurt.

“Perhaps you should see a doctor.”

“Ha! Er, I mean.” She cleared her throat. “Y-yes. I suppose I should, considering I know so many.”

Mr. Milton grinned, and for a moment neither of them spoke. A creeping sense of dread began to crawl up Grace’s spine. Instinctually, she knew that Mr. Milton was about to say something and for the life of her, she couldn’t bear to hear it.

“Miss Sharpe, I’ve been meaning to ask you a question,” he said, eyes steadfast on her.

“Oh?”

“Yes. I was wondering, if you might consider allowing me to court you. I know we don’t know each other very well, but that is something I’m very willing to fix.

You see, I have spent many years traveling alone, building my fortune as I go, and it’s come to my attention that it’s rather lonely at the top.

That said, I find you quite charming. Your intelligence, your bravery, your humor.

All are qualities that I find attractive and while I will not belittle you with remarks on your beauty, I must say that it is truly mesmerizing to gaze into your eyes. ”

He leaned in slightly and Grace gulped, sure the feeling of dread was splattered across her face. She had been so cavalier in talking with James about Mr. Milton and her foolish experiment that she hadn’t actually realized what it would be like to be face to face with him.

“T-that is kind of you, Mr. Milton. Exceedingly so, but I’m not quite sure we are a good fit for one another.” When he didn’t speak, but instead waited patiently for her to continue, she nodded. “You see, I’m rather determined never to marry. Anyone.”

He frowned. “Really?”

“Yes. Unfortunately, I believe that my profession will not allow it and as I’m determined to have that, I cannot entertain the idea of marriage, so I’m afraid a courtship between us would be fruitless.”

“Huh,” he breathed, seemingly unprepared for her dismissal. “And here I thought we shared a mutual attraction.”

“Oh, I do find you attractive, Mr. Milton. That is, you are an attractive man, with many fine qualities and there isn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t be blessed to have you, but unfortunately for me, I’m afraid that my duty to the medical field is beyond my control.

Like a priest called to serve the church, I feel I have been called on to serve the people, and marriage would hinder that. ”

His brows pinched together, trying to understand, though it appeared he didn’t want to.