An Icy Christmas Engagement (Christmas Matches of Worth #1)

Chapter Three

When Gareth finally joined everyone for breakfast the following morning, as was expected of him, he found everyone else already eating their meal, conversing quietly against the soundtrack of silverware scraping the fine China dishes of which his mother was so proud. The older women greeted him with stiff kisses to the air beside his cheeks, while the men gave him curt nods before returning to their conversation. Lady Cecilia, however, turned on her charm immediately.

“Gareth, good morning,” she said in a crooning drawl almost identical to the one with which her mother had greeted him the day before. “I hope you slept well after your long journey home.”

Gareth gave her a polite smile, avoiding her honeyed gaze.

“I did, thank you,” he said, struggling to find his hospitable tone. “And I trust that your accommodations are to your liking?”

His father gave him a brief nod of approval, which gave Gareth a chill. He had not forgotten what Thomas told him about Lady Cecilia, and he was acutely suspicious.

Lady Cecilia beamed at him and nodded.

“Oh, yes, Gareth,” she said, batting her lashes in the way that made his skin crawl. “My chambers are very lovely, and I am certain that there are none more comfortable in all of London.”

Gareth smiled again tensely, closing his teeth to prevent his next thought from escaping. Do you mean to say that you are well-versed in the chambers of the homes of all the noblemen in London?

His mother cleared her throat, and he glanced up, thinking that the duchess had sensed his tasteless, unspoken thought. But she was not looking at him. Rather, she was exchanging a long, knowing glance with the countess, who could hardly contain a gleeful smile. Gareth briefly studied the women before hurriedly looking away. Whatever was being shared between them disquieted him like the approving look his father had given him. And it did not take him long to figure out why.

“It is a very lovely day,” Lady Cecilia said, very pointedly addressing Gareth. “I was thinking of going for a stroll through the gardens after breakfast.”

There was another shared look between the older women, and Gareth understood. His mother and the countess were continuing their schemes to make a match between Lady Cecilia and him. And it was clear to Gareth that Lady Cecilia believed that such a match was possible, if not a certainty, in her mind.

With every ounce of resolve, Gareth gave the young woman another small smile.

“It is a beautiful day for such an activity,” he said. “It is a shame that I cannot join you on your walk. I am afraid that I have very pressing business matters.”

Lady Cecilia and her mother’s expressions both fell, and Gareth felt a brief moment of satisfaction. He did not mind if he had disappointed them. In fact, he rather hoped that he had. The duchess, however, looked as though she was barely suppressing her anger. She narrowed her eyes at Gareth in such a way that only he could see. She raised her eyebrow, never breaking eye contact with him.

“Surely, you can postpone your business matters until after a nice walk,” she said.

Gareth shook his head, holding his own gaze steady and fighting to keep his calm, unwitting composure.

“I cannot today, Mother,” he said. “I must be ready for the business meetings that I have coming up in the next fortnight. I am afraid that I need every minute I can get to adequately prepare.”

Lady Cecilia nodded, and Gareth thought she might be trying to appear understanding. But to Gareth, she simply looked like a petulant child who had just been scolded for not being in bed by the time her parents’ dinner party started. It might have been amusing if Gareth did not now know the reason why the women seemed so set on ensuring that he spent time with Lady Cecilia. Still, he refused to let on that he knew anything was amiss. He and Thomas had always been very close, and he would feign innocence unremittingly to protect his brother and the fact that Thomas had let him in on their family’s plan to marry him off to Lady Cecilia.

“It is all right,” Lady Cecilia said at last, batting her lashes at him again, as she seemed so fond of doing. “I understand that a man’s business allows him to provide for himself and his family.” She blushed as if she had just let some telling secret slip. “That is to say, his future family. In your case, at least.”

Gareth had to hold his breath to keep from rolling his eyes. Her efforts were so blatant that they would have repelled him even if he had ever taken an interest in her. Still, he kept his calm expression as he gave her a tight smile and curt nod.

“Thank you, my lady,” he said, glancing at his mother to see her nostrils flaring as they often did when she was angry. Gareth looked away, keeping himself occupied with a copy of the newspaper throughout the rest of the meal.

When breakfast finished, Gareth could not wait to lock himself in his study. But he had not even reached the doorway before his father called to him.

“Gareth,” he said. Only Gareth and his family would have noticed the firm, no-nonsense edge as he spoke. “Before you get to your pressing business, I would have a word with you. Meet me in the parlor straightaway.”

Gareth hid a sigh by smoothing out an imaginary wrinkle in his jacket. He turned and nodded politely to his father.

“Of course, Father,” he said. “I shall meet you there.”

The duke gave a curt nod just before Gareth exited the room. He knew his father would be waiting in the parlor in about three minutes. And he intended to meet him there in four. Better to be one minute more prepared for the discussion he was sure awaited him. Even if he would never be ready to even entertain what he was sure his father was about to propose.

As expected, the duke was pouring drinks when Gareth reached the parlor. He motioned for his son to enter, handing him a glass of whiskey, which Gareth accepted gratefully. He waited for his son to be seated before speaking.

“I summoned you here because I feel the need to reiterate the importance of you handling your duties,” he said. “You have done well enough as the marquess of Hayewood. However, as you know, your responsibilities will increase when you become duke. As will the importance of those duties.”

Gareth nodded slowly, hiding his wariness by sipping his drink.

“Of course, Father,” he said, careful to keep his tone neutral. “I am perfectly aware of this.”

The duke studied him as though looking for any indication that Gareth was not taking him seriously.

“I must ensure that you understand that that applies to all duties expected of a duke,” he said with a meaningful stare. “In truth, I had imagined you married before now.”

Gareth ignored the dread filling him as he shrugged.

“I only just returned home from two years abroad,” he said. “I have not yet even attended a ball.”

The duke nodded with more urgency.

“A man is certainly entitled to take his Grand Tour any time he wishes,” he said. “However, now that you have returned, you must begin focusing on marrying. And marrying well, at that.”

Gareth bit his cheek, taking another drink to ensure that there was no reaction to the heaviness Gareth was beginning to feel as his father spoke. Thomas had told him what his parents were plotting. And Gareth knew this was the moment where it would be revealed to him by his father.

“I just returned yesterday,” he said, repeating his previous point as he thought about one of the first things Thomas had said to him before they took the walk in the gardens. “I am certain that I will have no shortage of unwed young ladies vying for my attention.”

The duke gave his head a firm shake, narrowing his eyes.

“There are many young ladies who come from good families,” he said dismissively. “However, our family’s reputation is immaculate, without a single blemish anywhere in our history. I secured it by making the match to marry your mother. Now, it is up to you to carry on that legacy by marrying a woman whom we know has a reputation equal to ours. And I believe that Cecilia is one such woman.”

Gareth made it a point to seem surprised.

“You speak as though you have already thought about this,” he said, some of his bitterness creeping into his voice.

The duke gave a dry chuckle, but he did not meet Gareth’s eyes.

“It is quite obvious that Cecilia would make an excellent match for you,” he said. “And it is equally obvious that she has an interest in you. We also know that she comes from a good family. You could certainly do worse for yourself.”

Gareth finished his drink, staring blankly at the empty glass. I could certainly do better for myself, as well, Father.

***

When Grace and Juliet entered the orphanage, the children’s faces instantly brightened. They waved to her from their seats, where Abigail had already settled them in preparation for their lessons. Abigail approached the women, embracing them both and pausing to give Lady Whiskers a pat on the head. The feline purred, turning to make her way through the children, which brought them even more joy as she wove herself in between them.

“Will you be teaching us a new song today?” one little voice asked.

Grace looked up into the bright green eyes of a boy named Benjamin. She gave him an innocent look and shrugged.

“Perhaps,” she said, causing the room to fill with the gasps and excited chatter of the orphans. “But first, we must practice our most recent one and see how well you all have done since your last lesson.”

The children straightened themselves in their seats as Lady Whiskers finished her rounds through them all and returned to Grace, taking her place at her mistress’s feet as Grace settled in on the bench. As Grace began to play, she allowed herself to disappear into the notes of the music, as she always did. For the next hour, she was able to forget about her nerves regarding her family’s house party. She drew from the beautiful music drifting from the pianoforte, and from the joy and delight from the children who relished her lessons.

After the lesson, Abigail dismissed the children to wash up for their lunch. She then smiled at Grace, patting her shoulder.

“Won’t you stay and join me for tea, dear?” she asked.

Grace nodded, returning the warm smile.

“I would be delighted,” she said.

Abigail led the way to the small vicarage parlor. Grace gasped when she saw that they would not be taking tea alone.

“Millicent, darling,” Grace said, rushing across the room and embracing her friend. “I did not know you were here today.”

Millicent Hughes beamed, gesturing toward the back of the vicarage.

“I arrived early this morning,” she said. “Father sent me with money to begin purchasing items for the less fortunate for Christmastide. So, I came to speak with Abigail about which things I should buy and to help her organize the things she already has.”

Grace nodded, gazing proudly at her friend. Her father, a very wealthy merchant, was equally as proud of Millicent and her charity work as Grace’s own father was of her. He would never refuse her the funds to further her charitable efforts. And Millicent was always eager to do more for the less fortunate. Especially the children.

“You are such a kind woman, Millie,” she said.

Abigail brought in the tea just as the women settled into their seats. Millicent immediately began speaking about an upcoming ball she would be attending, instantly reminding Grace of the house party that her family was to host. Her previous anxiety returned, and she struggled to concentrate on her friend’s words. She did not wish to dampen the high spirits in the room. But nor did she find herself able to share in the excitement about the season. Especially now that she knew that her parents would be inviting the ton into their home, despite their judgments and tactless words.

“Grace, dear, you have that brow furrow,” Abigail said after a few moments. “And your shoulders look as though they are dragging a carriage behind you. What troubles you?”

Millicent instantly stopped talking and looked at Grace, concerned.

“Heavens,” she said, looking at Grace sheepishly. “I just prattle on sometimes. I see now that you are upset about something. Please, tell us. We will listen.”

Grace bit her lip, glancing at Juliet. The lady’s maid gave her a reassuring smile and an encouraging nod, and Grace turned her gaze back to her friend and the kindly vicar’s wife. She quickly explained the plan her parents had to reinstate their annual house party, and how it was making her feel. As she expected, the women listened with nothing but compassion and sympathy.

“Oh, my darling Gracie,” Millicent said, embracing Grace when she finished speaking. “I understand how overwhelming this must feel right now, but I have always seen you as a remarkable source of strength. I believe, without a doubt, that the rest of society will come to recognize that as well.”

Abigail nodded with an empathetic stare.

“You certainly are,” she said. “Surviving such a horrific accident was a feat in itself. And everything you have overcome since has been nothing short of miraculous. The physician himself did not know how you might be affected permanently. But you healed from your injuries, and you are still one of the kindest and most loving people I have the pleasure of knowing.”

Grace smiled and nodded, trying to open herself to the comfort that the words offered.

“That is very kind of you both,” she said. “I just hope that the ton sees it that way, especially in my family’s own home.”

Millicent nodded firmly, as though exceedingly confident in herself before she spoke again.

“If they do not, that speaks more about them than it ever will about you,” she said with another warm smile. “And do bear in mind that I shall be right there to offer my support as well. I would not dream of missing this ball for all the world.”

Grace reveled in the momentary relief she felt at her friend’s words.

“What would I ever do without you?” she asked, embracing her friend again.

Yet when tea had finished, and she, Juliet and Lady Whiskers were heading back to Farenley Manor, Grace’s mind slipped back into the darker thoughts. The gossip mongers might be polite when she was present. But nothing would stop them from whispering about her when she was not, as they had since word of her accident had first spread. And part of her thought it would be better to be directly confronted with their stares of pity and words of judgment than to know it was occurring when she was not there to observe. It would hurt her feelings even more, she knew. But it would show a little more respect than the relentless gossiping. That would surely be better for her. Would it not?

“Milady, the distress is very evident on your face,” Juliet said, snapping Grace out of her self-pitying darkness. “Have you considered asking your parents to abandon the house party plans? Or perhaps, at least telling them that you will not participate or interact with the guests?”

Grace shook her head with a sigh.

“I know that I could,” she said. “All I would need do is to tell Mother and Father that I was not ready. But I cannot spoil something so important to not only them, but to my siblings, as well. They deserve to be happy and enjoy the company of their friends and peers. I cannot bring myself to destroy that for them.”

Juliet looked at Grace with admiration in her eyes.

“And this is why everyone says that you are so kind and generous,” she said. “You will sacrifice anything for those who matter most to you. Even now, instead of locking yourself away and fretting over the house party all alone, you chose to spend your morning giving the orphans their scheduled music lesson. Even in times of distress for you, you are still determined to spread warmth and joy to others. Especially those children. This is why your scars do not, and never will, define you, Lady Grace. It is also why those closest to you adore and admire you so much.”

Grace blushed, smiling shyly. She was always humbled by such praise and kindness from her friends and family. She did not know if she would ever see what they saw in herself. But she did almost always feel better after the encouragement and comfort. Despite her disfigurement, she was fortunate to have loved ones who cared so much about her. And because of their support, she was able to pursue endeavors that fulfilled a greater purpose beyond the shallow confines of societal expectations. As nervous as she was about the house party, she could find a bit of solace in that knowledge.