Chapter Sixteen #2
That evening, Rory did not go out after supper—it seemed to be becoming a rare event when he did go out alone—and joined Grace and Jennie in the drawing room with tea and chatter, it felt as if this was now the norm.
He sat in the chair opposite and sipped his whisky and chuckled when Jennie told him she had had some comments about his morning rides in the park.
“Complaints rather than comments,” Jennie said. “I went for an afternoon visit with one of my acquaintances, and she told me she had heard that a wild man was riding in the park to the detriment of others. I knew at once it was you, Rory.”
“I am sorry,” he said, although clearly he wasn’t. “I will try to be more of a gentleman. ’Tis just that I am used to riding as fast and far as I please.”
“I know,” Jennie said sympathetically, “but you are in London now. I was thinking that perhaps you can take Grace in the carriage tomorrow? You know that the more often you are seen together, the more people will believe you are truly happily and respectably married.”
Rory looked at Grace. He will probably say no, she told herself, so don’t get your hopes up . . .
“That sounds like a grand idea,” he said, finishing off his drink. “Let’s show them how very respectable we are, eh, wife?”
Jennie made a sound of surprise which she quickly stifled. “Well, I like the sound of that,” she said.
Grace nodded and agreed. “We will show them all that you are not Wildman and I am not Disgrace,” she said with a wry smile. “At least, we will try.”
After Rory had left them, yawning and saying he was going to bed, Jennie took Grace’s hand in hers. Her grey eyes were bright with excitement, but she was obviously trying to rein it in.
“Rory seems almost playful,” she said thoughtfully.
“I had hoped that in time he would begin to see the benefits of marriage, but I did not think this soon . . .” She chewed her lip and then forced a smile.
“Well, we shall see, won’t we? What will you wear tomorrow for your ride in the park, Grace? ”
Grace found her words mostly incomprehensible, so she concentrated on the final question. “Oh, I’m not sure. What do you think I should wear?”
Grace seemed to have so many choices these days, which was lovely, but she wasn’t used to it yet and choosing was difficult.
Jennie had some ideas, but they were interrupted when Hocking tapped on the door.
“Whatever is the matter, Hocking?” Jennie asked. “It is rather late for visitors.”
“My lady, apologies for interrupting, but you have a letter from the earl.”
“Oh!” She stood up at once and held out her hand. “What a lovely surprise.”
Hocking said nothing, but looking at him, Grace did not think the surprise was going to be very lovely. Did he already suspect he knew what the letter would say? With a respectful bow, he left them alone.
Jennie was ripping open the seal as she sat down, spreading out the pages on her lap, and leaning close to read her husband’s words.
The smile left her lips, and after a long moment she said, “He is not coming home just yet. Something important has arisen with one of the ships.” There was a resigned note in her voice, as well as a gloominess that made Grace’s heart ache for her.
Before she could stop herself, Grace blurted out, “But what could be more important than coming home to you?”
Jennie looked up at her and tears filled her eyes. Instinctively, Grace reached out and gathered Jennie in her arms and held her tight. She could feel the older woman shaking with suppressed sobs. Eventually Jennie moved away, dabbing at her eyes with a lace handkerchief and clearing her throat.
“I am so sorry, my dear,” she said huskily. “I don’t know what came over me. I just . . .” She caught her breath. “I just miss James so terribly.”
“I shouldn’t have spoken,” Grace said regretfully. “It is just that I can’t imagine putting anything before my sisters. Even a sinking ship.”
Jennie gave a watery smile. “Nor can I, but men are different. They judge success to be as important as their families, and James wants to make his business as successful as it can possibly be. That is what drives him to the exclusion of all else.”
Grace thought to herself that Jamie would be sorry one day, if he loved Jennie as much as she seemed to love him, but this time she stayed silent.
“I think I will retire,” Jennie announced, gathering up her shawl and arranging it about her shoulders as if she were cold. “We can talk about what you should wear on the carriage ride in the morning.”
“Come with us!” Grace said impulsively. “Please! I would love you to come.”
Jennie looked doubtful. “Oh, that is very . . .” Then, her voice firming, “Perhaps I shall. If you and Rory do not mind, that is?”
“Of course we don’t,” Grace assured her. “We would enjoy your company very much.”
It was only after the countess had gone to bed that Grace wondered if she should have asked Rory first. He would not demur, she was sure, and yet, as she kept reminding herself, she didn’t know him very well, did she?
Well, she would ask him!
As she climbed the stairs toward the bedchambers she tried to convince herself that she was asking Rory for Jennie’s sake and no other reason. She certainly wasn’t trying to tempt Rory into kissing her or anything like that when he had said he was tired. Definitely not!
The problem was that she seemed to have an insatiable desire for his kisses, and the other pleasurable things they did together.