Page 35 of Marrying a Marquess (Widows of Mayfair #3)

As they discussed Latham, Priscilla saw him stroll arm in arm with Lady Faith, Lady Grace’s younger sister, onto the veranda.

Poor Lady Faith. As a wallflower, she was probably happy to receive Latham’s attention.

Since Priscilla knew him better than most, she frowned, contemplating whether to warn Faith.

Ultimately, she decided against it. He wasn’t a terrible person; he just made questionable choices.

Perhaps his experience with her had helped him turn a corner.

“That’s an unusual couple,” Nick remarked, tilting his head toward them. “Perhaps Lady Wilmington can turn Latham into an honorable man. Courting Lady Wilmington’s daughter is challenging and could do him good.”

“Since you brought it up,” she said with a faltering smile, “what about Lady Grace?”

He ran his fingers through his hair. “I intend to speak to her tonight. ”

“Are you pro... pro...” She swallowed the words before she screamed them, avoiding making a fool of herself.

He took her hands in his, his thumbs rubbing gently over her wrists. “Do you think so little of me that after what we shared last night, I would propose to Lady Grace?”

The hurt in his voice, more than his words, spoke to her heart. “Forgive me. My mind has been playing tricks on me all day.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. Considering my past behavior, you have every right to feel that way. And the answer is no, I’m not going to propose to her. But I need to find a gentle way to end our courtship. I believe after dinner would be the perfect time.”

Just as the words left his mouth, Lady Grace and her mother stepped onto the veranda and strolled their way.

“Or perhaps now would be better,” he mumbled.

Priscilla didn’t like the look she received from the Countess of Wilmington, but she imagined the expression would worsen tenfold when Nick broke off his courtship with Lady Grace.

Poor Grace. Just when she was finally escaping wallflower status, she was destined to return to it after tonight.

She was such a dear; there had to be some worthy gentleman for her.

As mother and daughter approached, Priscilla curtsied.

“Forgive me. I must attend to my mother.”

*

Nick’s eyes followed Priscilla as she strolled away from him and into the drawing room, which was a crush of bodies.

Would it be too much to hope for the dinner bell to ring so he could delay what he needed to say to Lady Grace?

Even though he believed she would be relieved, it was the mother he worried over.

“Marquess,” Lady Wilmington said as she curtsied. “What a lovely evening we’re having.”

Nick bowed. “Yes, the weather is perfect. ”

She tugged at her daughter’s hand, urging her to move closer to him. “Doesn’t Grace look beautiful? The cream gown highlights the softness in her brown eyes.”

He bowed to Lady Grace. “You look lovely this evening, Lady Grace. Your eyes do have a certain warmth to them.”

“Thank you, Lord Hollingsworth,” she said, curtsying stiffly.

“Lady Wilmington, may I show Lady Grace the gardens? They are rather unique in their design.”

The countess smiled, clearly pleased by his request. “Why, yes, Hollingsworth. My daughter would be delighted to go with you.”

Lady Grace rested her hand on Nick’s arm as they descended the stairs and stepped onto the path. The crunch of stones beneath their feet sounded louder in Nick’s ears than they should. He felt nervous, which was unlike him.

“Did you have something you wanted to discuss with me?” Grace asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.

She was quiet, likely because her mother never stopped talking or let Grace speak for herself.

Her features were striking, and she had dark hair and eyes.

Her figure was slim yet feminine. He knew she was twenty-one years old.

Hopefully, Middlebury would sweep in and steal her away.

“I’m sorry,” he said with a smile. “My mind wandered. But yes, I wanted to talk.” He stopped walking and turned to her, taking her hands in his.

“I find myself in a dilemma. I care for you, Lady Grace. I’d like to believe we have become friends.

I’ve enjoyed your company; you are charming, witty, kind, and considerate.

However, I think you know I feelings for someone else. ”

“It’s Lady Priscilla, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“I see how you look at each other.” She tugged her hands from his and patted her hair. “Honestly, I’m glad our courtship is over.”

One brow arched. “You are?”

“Yes, there’s a gentleman I admire.” She sighed, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight, and she smiled dreamily. Not a smile he’d ever witnessed her bestow on him, and he hoped the gentleman who had her favor was worthy of her.

“Has he called on you? Made his intentions known?”

Her smile faltered. “No. I’ve never spoken to the man except when we were introduced several years ago. Sometimes, though, I see him watching me. I’m sure I’m not mistaking the yearning in his eyes.”

“May I be of service? If you tell me his name, perhaps I can mention you in passing conversation.”

Her cheeks flushed, giving her a youthful and carefree appearance. “It’s the Earl of Middlebury.”

“Ahhh. He is a fine, upstanding, and likable fellow. And I know him well. We both belong to Gentleman Jackson’s Club. Just this morning, he asked if I was courting you. Perhaps you are correct in your assumptions regarding his feelings toward you.”

“Oh, do you think so?” She looked so wistful; he hoped not to disappoint her regarding Middlebury.

“I do. And I believe he’s here. I’ll talk to him tonight.”

“Thank you. I want to return to my mother now.” She paused. “Thank you for spending time with me and putting up with my mother. I hope we can continue to be friends. And I wish you and Lady Priscilla all the best.”

Nick returned Lady Grace to her mother in the parlor and sought out Middlebury. “May I have a word?”

“Yes.”

Nick relaxed once they were in a quiet corner of the drawing room, far from prying ears. “I want you to know that Lady Grace and I are no longer courting.” Nick waited, watching Middlebury closely to gauge his thoughts.

The man exhaled and ran his fingers through his hair. “This is good to know. Do you think if I call on her, she will be receptive?”

“I would talk to her tonight during this small gathering, no sense waiting for tomorrow. But to answer your question, I believe she would. Send her flowers in the morning and pay a visit during receiving hours. But be careful with her heart. She is sensitive and overly kind. However, I believe you two would suit perfectly.”

Middlebury took his hand and shook it with much enthusiasm. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“I wish you all the best.” He paused. “One word of advice. Don’t let Lady Wilmington scare you away. She is a forceful woman, but she is all talk and wants the best for her daughters. I believe she will approve of you and your pursuit of Lady Grace.”

“I thank you again, Hollingsworth,” he said as he dipped his head and walked off.

The heavy weight Nick had been carrying around in his chest since the morning eased. Perhaps he would get the future he hoped for. He headed in Priscilla’s direction just as the dinner bell rang. “May I escort you to dinner, my dear?” he asked, holding out his arm in invitation.

“Thank you,” she said, resting her hand on his forearm. She looked over her shoulder. “Mother?”

“Go on.” She waved them off with her hand. “I am perfectly capable of finding my way into dinner.”

Nick wasn’t surprised to find Middlebury and Lady Grace sitting side by side near the end of the table by Blackstone.

Thank goodness Latham was at the other end, flirting with Lady Grace’s younger sister, Lady Faith.

He didn’t begrudge the man his attendance.

He was, after all, Caldwell’s brother. But if he developed a courtship with Lady Faith, he would try to ensure he treated her with the utmost respect she deserved.

Beneath his wastrel exterior, perhaps a gentleman lurked and struggled to escape.

Of course all that also hinged on whether he disassociated himself from Viscountess Norton.

If he didn’t, Nick would have to interfere with Latham and convince him Lady Faith wasn’t for him.

“What are you thinking about?” Priscilla asked, placing her hand on his thigh beneath the table, hidden by the tablecloth so no one could see. With her gloves off so she could eat, her bare hand warmed his leg and his heart.

“Latham,” he replied, covering her hand with his. “From his flirtatious behavior it appears he has set his sights on Lady Faith. And she seems to welcome his attentions.”

“Perhaps she will be good for him.”

The dinner courses came and went, and Nick listened to the conversations going around the table.

Most pertained to who was courting whom, who was seen with whom, Parliament, and the latest on-dits.

Nothing remotely interesting to Nick. So, as the conversations went around the long rectangular table, with no one the wiser, he and Priscilla shared intimate touches and caresses beneath the table.

And he wondered if he could sneak into her house again that night.