Intimate Deception (16 page)

The look on Germaine’s face told her he didn’t believe her, but she was thankful he didn’t say so. “Nevertheless, Mr. Germaine, I am glad to make your acquaintance. I should have realized by looking that you were related to Raeborn. Your coloring is the same and you have many of the same features.”

Kevin Germaine smiled broadly. “I will take that as a compliment, my lady. I assume that is because our fathers were brothers.”

“Twins, actually,” Raeborn said from behind her.

Grace turned to see him standing there with two glasses in his hands.

“Twins?” she said, trying to cover her unease.

“Yes. They run in our family on occasion.”

He handed her one of the glasses, and when she took it he stepped closer to her. Grace wanted to separate herself from him. Wanted to put enough distance between them that she didn’t feel as if his nearness were a blanket wrapped around her.

She understood so much more now. She knew the cause of the underlying fury she sensed each time he talked of marrying. He’d had no intention of ever taking another wife. He hadn’t wanted to marry again. Hadn’t wanted another child even though he had no heir.

The room swayed around her and she lifted her glass and took a quick swallow of the cool liquid he’d brought her.

“I didn’t realize you were here,” Raeborn said to his cousin, his eyes holding a special understanding. “It’s a pleasure to see you. It’s been several weeks.”

“Yes, well. I’ve been busy.”

“So I’ve heard. And making admirable progress.”

For several long seconds the two men simply stared at each other. Although Grace wasn’t sure what had transpired between them, she knew it was something. And it was important. Vincent’s cousin was the first to break the silence.

“I suppose I should have realized you would receive a daily accounting,” Germaine said, ignoring the compliment, and then focused his attention on her.

“Raeborn. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am that you did not tell me you had met someone so charming.”

“Then I must apologize. I have indeed.” Raeborn turned his gaze to her and Grace knew it was her cue to play her part again. She smiled.

“And I think there is nothing I would like more right now than to dance with such a beautiful lady.” He offered her his hand. “If you will excuse us.”

“Of course.”

Raeborn took the glass from her and handed it to a passing footman, then led her to the dance floor. The orchestra was just beginning a waltz, and he pulled her into his arms and expertly twirled her around the floor.

“You dance beautifully,” he said, making conversation. “You cannot imagine how I appreciate dancing with someone who does not tromp on my toes.”

Grace started, then laughed. “That is because I had six sisters I was required to teach to dance. It gave me plenty of practice.”

“Who taught you?”

“My mother. She loved to dance.”

“It shows. How old were you when she died?”

“Twelve.”

“Was she ill?”

“No. She died giving birth to Anne.”

The air suddenly chilled and Grace felt Raeborn’s muscles tense beneath her hands. When she looked up, his face was devoid of expression. “Is something wrong, Your Grace?”

“No,” he answered, but she could see there was. And she knew what it was. For a long time he did not speak, but led her through the steps as effortlessly as if they were second nature to him. When he did pick up the conversation, his words were short and clipped.

“What did my cousin have to say, Grace?”

“Nothing. Only that he wished to make my acquaintance and was disappointed that you had not done the honor of introducing us yourself.”

“That is all?”

Grace felt her face pale. How could she tell him all that Kevin Germaine had told her? How could she tell him that now she knew why he didn’t want her for a wife? Didn’t want to go through a woman’s pregnancy? Didn’t want to risk losing another heir?

“What more could there be?”

His brows lifted. “Nothing.”

He kept his gaze focused on her as if he knew she wasn’t telling him everything. She desperately wanted to be separated from him. To be somewhere far away where she could think. Where she could be by herself. Perhaps that was all she needed. A few days away from everyone and everything. Perhaps if he weren’t standing watch over her, if she didn’t have to continuously play the role he’d assigned her, her body would come back to its senses and this whole nightmare would be over.

When they finished their dance, he took her to join Caroline. She bade him good night, then indicated she was tired and wanted to go home. Caroline quickly agreed. After wishing their host and hostess farewell, they walked out into the cool spring evening.

The minute the nighttime air hit her, her mind suddenly cleared and she knew without a doubt what she had to do.

“Are you still up, Linny?” Grace whispered after knocking on her sister’s dressing room door.

Caroline’s lady’s maid opened the door.

She heard Caroline’s voice from inside. “Come in, Grace. Is something wrong?”

“No,” Grace said, stepping into the room. The maid left the room, closing the door behind her. “I just needed to talk to you.”

Caroline rose from her chair in front of a mirrored table and sat down beside Grace on the floral settee angled before the fireplace. “What is it, Grace?”

“I need a favor, Linny.”

“Of course. Anything.”

“I would like to take you up on your offer to let me stay at your manor house for a few days.”

“Now?”

“Yes. For only a week or so.” Grace rose from the settee and walked to the other side of the room where Caroline’s desk sat in front of the window. “I’ll be back in time for your dinner a week from tonight. Would you mind?”

“Of course not. Is something wrong, Grace?”

“No. I just need to be by myself for a few days. And since you offered, I thought…”

“Of course, Grace. You can take one of the servants with you. There’s only Herman and Maudie that live in, so if you want—”

Grace shook her head. “No. I’ll be fine. I really do need to be alone.”

“Very well,” Caroline said, rising to her feet.

Grace couldn’t bring herself to look at her sister. Instead, she absently ran her finger along the edge of the desk. “Would you do me one more favor?”

“If I can.”

“Please don’t tell anyone where I’ve gone.”

“Even the Duke of Raeborn?”

Grace shut her eyes, trying to block out Vincent’s face. His kiss. The anger he was sure to feel when he found out she’d gone.

“Yes. Even the Duke of Raeborn.”

“Grace, is something—”

“Please, Linny. Don’t worry. Everything’s fine. I just need some time to myself. You know how I am. I’ve never
been one to enjoy London and the endless round of parties and balls. I’ve always been content to stay in the country and live a more quiet life.”

“And if he asks?”

“Tell him I was called away unexpectedly. That I’ll be back in time for your dinner next Friday.”

“I doubt he’ll accept that without question.”

“Perhaps not. But by the time he finds out I’m gone, it will be too late for him to do anything about it. So it doesn’t really matter.”

Caroline was quiet a moment, then Grace heard her breathe a heavy sigh. “When did you want to leave?”

“In the morning. Early.”

“Very well. I’ll have a carriage ready.”

Grace reached out to give her sister a tight hug. “Thank you, Linny. Good night.”

“Good night, Grace.”

Grace went to her room and put enough clothes to last a week into a small trunk. When she finished, she slipped into a nightgown and slid beneath the covers.

She closed her eyes with a smile on her face. This was the first night she felt a sense of real peace since she’d come face-to-face with the man to whom she’d given her virginity. She was sure all she needed was a few days away from everything and her situation would resolve. She could finally tell him with certainty that she wasn’t expecting.

Grace felt better than she had in weeks.

Until she woke up in the morning and barely made it across the room to a chamber pot before she was ill.

V
incent let the heavy brass knocker fall against the front door and waited for the Marchioness of Wedgewood’s butler to open the door. After last night, he had decided it was time to inform Grace of his plans. Time to inform her they would marry within the week.

He rubbed a hand across his jaw. He wasn’t sure how she’d take the news, but after watching her last night, he knew it was time. Even if she wasn’t sure whether or not she was increasing, he was. It was as if he’d known it from the start. From the moment he’d taken her virginity, he’d known he’d planted a babe in her womb.

Bloody hell, but he wasn’t sure he could go through this again. She was so damn fragile. More delicately built than either of his first two wives.

He fought a wave of anger and frustration as he stepped through the open door a butler held for him.

“I’d like to see Lady Grace,” he said, handing his hat and gloves to the navy-liveried man.

“I’m afraid Lady Grace is out, Your Grace.”

Vincent stopped short. “Do you know where she is?”

“I’m afraid I don’t, Your Grace. But Lady Wedgewood is in the morning room. She’s about to have tea. She’s expecting you.”

An uncomfortable lump formed in the pit of his stomach.

The butler didn’t wait for his acknowledgment, but led the way to the back of the house. With a soft knock, he opened the doors and announced the Duke of Raeborn.

“Your Grace,” Lady Wedgewood said, extending her hand in greeting.

Vincent walked across the room and bowed over the marchioness’s hand, kissing it formally.

“Please be seated, Your Grace.”

Vincent sat in the chair opposite the marchioness and waited. There was a tenseness in the room, a feeling of anxiety. As if his presence were part of a play, a well-rehearsed play familiar to all the characters except him.

His chair was positioned at an angle, far enough from the settee on which she sat so his closeness was not too intimate, yet near enough for easy conversation. For easy interrogation. It was obvious she’d been expecting him.

A small nervous warning churned deep in his gut. Something was wrong.

Lady Wedgewood leaned forward to the edge of the settee and daintily poured two cups of tea. “Cream and sugar?”

“Just cream.”

Vincent watched as she poured cream into two cups. If he wasn’t mistaken, her hand trembled slightly. Another wave of unease jolted inside him. “I have come to see Lady Grace,” he said, keeping all emotion out of his voice.

“I’m afraid Grace isn’t here at the moment.”

Lady Wedgewood held out a cup and saucer then sat back against the cushion when he took it from her. Not
once did her gaze meet his, and this time there was no doubt her hands shook.

“Where is she?”

Lady Wedgewood breathed a deep sigh, then took a small sip of her tea. “I’m not at liberty to tell you that, Your Grace.”

“Why not?”

She looked him in the eyes. “I promised Grace I wouldn’t.”

Vincent tried to dampen the fury building inside him but knew the effort was useless. “When did she leave?”

“I’m not sure that is important, Your Grace.”

“When?” he repeated.

“Early this morning.”

“Did she give a reason for wanting to go away?”

“She said she needed to be alone for a few days. Grace isn’t accustomed to London life like you and I and occasionally prefers solitude.”

“It is imperative that I speak with her. Please, tell me where she’s gone.”

“I’m afraid that’s impossible. Grace was quite emphatic in her instructions. She wants to be left alone.”

Vincent bolted from his chair. “And I don’t want her to be alone right now.”

He heard the sharp gasp from Lady Wedgewood. “With all due respect, Your Grace, I hardly see where you have the right to determine what decisions my sister makes. Nor is it your concern where she goes. Have you once considered
you
might be the reason Grace felt the need to leave London and have a few days to herself?”