repercussions from his supposed misconduct. She guessed that no one would dare cross him, no matter what he was rumored to have done.
An unjust world, Grace thought, for not the first time, though it was the first time she had considered such from a point of view other than her own. Given her choice of dance partners, she knew whom she would have chosen.
Alas, women cannot choose.
“I suggest you leave,” Lord Sutherland said as they passed each other. “At once.”
“Is that why you came?” Grace asked. “To tell me to leave, so Mr. Preston’s reputation does not suffer?”She couldn’t imagine that was truly Lord Sutherland’s reasoning. He did not seem like a man who would be troubled by the plight of one inconsequential woman. Nor did he seem particularly fond of his neighbor.
“I came because —” He faltered. “Because it was the right thing to do.”
Right for whom?
For him.
She pushed aside a twinge of guilt for involving him. Perhaps Lord Sutherland was concerned about his own reputation. Perhaps there was a young lady in his life. Maybe he was courting someone or was even betrothed. Maybe he’d been about to make a brilliant match with a woman whose dowry would enable him to keep his estate.
In which case, Grace should have either pitied him or felt regret for his unwitting part in her scheme. Instead she could only think that she’d done the woman a favor.
“I’m afraid I cannot leave,” she said, though she couldn’t deny she felt concern for Mr. Preston. He seemed to be a decent sort of man, and she didn’t wish her own troubles to tarnish him in any way. She’d have to take Lord Sutherland’s advice by avoiding her host.
“Foolish woman,” Lord Sutherland muttered under his breath. Then, in an urgent whisper when they drew close again, he added, “It is the only hope I see of saving your reputation. You must claim illness and retire to your room at once. Tomorrow, first thing, return home.”
“How will that change a thing?” Grace suspected that he wanted her to leave for other reasons as well, but aside from his reputation, she couldn’t fathom what they might be.
“When you’re gone, I’ll do my best to refute the rumors. I’ll let it be known what really happened that night.”
“And you believe that will change matters?” Grace could scarce believe his naiveté.
He nodded. They parted to rotate round the set again. Grace moved stiffly through the other partners, steeling herself against both curious and cold looks directed her way. When she returned to be Lord Sutherland’s match, it was almost with relief.
“I’ll let it be known,” he said, “that while a guest in my house, and as a very ill young woman, you wandered out of your bed and tripped. You fell and tore your nightdress. And I, in the presence of servants, carried you back to bed.” His hand caught her waist, and they turned around.
“But that isn’t what happened,” she whispered.
“ Nor did what is being spoken about now,” he said. “Which half-truth would you rather claim? Goodness, woman, it’s almost as if you want to be ruined.”
If you only knew, she thought and felt grateful that he did not. She could well imagine his fury were her plot to be discovered. At the least he’d think her mad.
“It would have been better if you’d stayed at my side to concur and then to take your leave without dancing,” he said. “But as you’ve danced with Preston, and since he’s watching your every move with intent, we’ve no choice but to have you leave now.”
We’ve? When had they formed an alliance? And Mr. Preston was watching her — with intent? Grace glanced his direction and caught his eye. Something akin to hope flickered inside her. She looked away, tamping the happy feeling down. After tonight she would never see Mr. Preston again. There was no reason to hope for anything regarding him other than that no harm came to him because she’d been his guest.
“The dance
An unjust world, Grace thought, for not the first time, though it was the first time she had considered such from a point of view other than her own. Given her choice of dance partners, she knew whom she would have chosen.
Alas, women cannot choose.
“I suggest you leave,” Lord Sutherland said as they passed each other. “At once.”
“Is that why you came?” Grace asked. “To tell me to leave, so Mr. Preston’s reputation does not suffer?”She couldn’t imagine that was truly Lord Sutherland’s reasoning. He did not seem like a man who would be troubled by the plight of one inconsequential woman. Nor did he seem particularly fond of his neighbor.
“I came because —” He faltered. “Because it was the right thing to do.”
Right for whom?
For him.
She pushed aside a twinge of guilt for involving him. Perhaps Lord Sutherland was concerned about his own reputation. Perhaps there was a young lady in his life. Maybe he was courting someone or was even betrothed. Maybe he’d been about to make a brilliant match with a woman whose dowry would enable him to keep his estate.
In which case, Grace should have either pitied him or felt regret for his unwitting part in her scheme. Instead she could only think that she’d done the woman a favor.
“I’m afraid I cannot leave,” she said, though she couldn’t deny she felt concern for Mr. Preston. He seemed to be a decent sort of man, and she didn’t wish her own troubles to tarnish him in any way. She’d have to take Lord Sutherland’s advice by avoiding her host.
“Foolish woman,” Lord Sutherland muttered under his breath. Then, in an urgent whisper when they drew close again, he added, “It is the only hope I see of saving your reputation. You must claim illness and retire to your room at once. Tomorrow, first thing, return home.”
“How will that change a thing?” Grace suspected that he wanted her to leave for other reasons as well, but aside from his reputation, she couldn’t fathom what they might be.
“When you’re gone, I’ll do my best to refute the rumors. I’ll let it be known what really happened that night.”
“And you believe that will change matters?” Grace could scarce believe his naiveté.
He nodded. They parted to rotate round the set again. Grace moved stiffly through the other partners, steeling herself against both curious and cold looks directed her way. When she returned to be Lord Sutherland’s match, it was almost with relief.
“I’ll let it be known,” he said, “that while a guest in my house, and as a very ill young woman, you wandered out of your bed and tripped. You fell and tore your nightdress. And I, in the presence of servants, carried you back to bed.” His hand caught her waist, and they turned around.
“But that isn’t what happened,” she whispered.
“ Nor did what is being spoken about now,” he said. “Which half-truth would you rather claim? Goodness, woman, it’s almost as if you want to be ruined.”
If you only knew, she thought and felt grateful that he did not. She could well imagine his fury were her plot to be discovered. At the least he’d think her mad.
“It would have been better if you’d stayed at my side to concur and then to take your leave without dancing,” he said. “But as you’ve danced with Preston, and since he’s watching your every move with intent, we’ve no choice but to have you leave now.”
We’ve? When had they formed an alliance? And Mr. Preston was watching her — with intent? Grace glanced his direction and caught his eye. Something akin to hope flickered inside her. She looked away, tamping the happy feeling down. After tonight she would never see Mr. Preston again. There was no reason to hope for anything regarding him other than that no harm came to him because she’d been his guest.
“The dance
Similar Books
