Grace: A Regency Romance (The Four Sisters' Series Book 3)

by Audrey Harrison

  “I could be wrong, but I thought I would mention it,” Harry said.

  “I’m glad you have; something obviously happened in Bath, and we need be patient until she is ready to say. I can’t imagine her wanting to write to Father, but if she suggests it, I shall know how to act now,” Rosalind said.

  Peter stood once more. “I suggest Grace gets some rest before she falls asleep on Harry’s shoulder,” he said smiling at his sister. “Come, my dear, we have a wedding to plan.”

  Harry and Grace were left alone at last. Harry kissed the top of Grace’s head and stood, walking her over to her bed. He lay her down gently. “Sleep now,” he instructed.

  “Only if you stay,” Grace said.

  “I will not leave the room,” Harry answered.

  “Would you hold me?” Grace asked shyly.

  “We are not married yet, Grace,” Harry said with a small smile. “I don’t think your sister would be quite as indulgent if she entered now and I was at your side.”

  “No one will enter,” Grace said. “We are to be married in a few days, and I sleep better with you next to me.”

  Harry could not resist such a request. He removed the frock coat he was wearing and laid it over a chair. He smiled down at Grace. “I am doomed to become a hen-pecked husband if this continues.”

  “If what continues?” Grace asked with surprise.

  “Me not being able to refuse you anything,” Harry said with a smile.

  “Oooh, really? You can’t? I think I’m going to enjoy married life,” Grace smiled in return.

  Chapter 19

  Four days later, Eleanor helped Grace to dress. Grace was still very weak, but she was determined to marry Harry in the soonest possible time. Her family were worried about her overexerting herself but understood the urgency. She would be helped as much as possible, and the excitement of the day would also help. It was the day of the wedding, and both Eleanor and Grace were giggly. Eleanor fastened the pure white pelisse that hung over a white-on-white-striped muslin gown. Rosalind had ordered clothes that were simple but elegant. She had asked Grace what she wanted and listened carefully to what she wished for.

  Rosalind apologised to Grace for not listening in the past and begged that they should start again, this time with Rosalind being more responsive. Grace had held Rosalind closely. “You were forced to take on a role that shouldn’t have been yours,” Grace said amenably.

  “That didn’t mean I had to become just like father, not taking into account any other opinion that wasn’t my own,” Rosalind replied. Harry had shocked her with his words, but she had been able to mull over what he said and accept the truth. She also could not ignore that he had been acting to protect Grace, a good trait for a future husband. Grace’s quiet manner meant everyone just presumed she was happy with everything. Once Rosalind realised she had been wrong, she had taken it upon herself to sit with her sister and ask her about everything she wanted from a marriage.

  Once reconciled with the match Rosalind was happy for Grace and could see how much Harry adored her sister. One distinct advantage to Rosalind was that Grace would be living close at hand and, when Annabelle eventually returned, that would be two of her sisters within easy travelling distance. All she wanted now was for Eleanor to find happiness.

  She had tried to talk to Eleanor a few times about her travels and Lady Lydia who Eleanor had visited, but Eleanor had been very reticent. It was unusual for this to happen, alerting Rosalind to the fact something had happened that was serious enough to knock the self-confidence out of her normally confident sister. She determined to find out what had happened, but first they would enjoy Grace’s wedding.

  *

  Eleanor stood back from Grace. “You look beautiful,” she said with a smile “Harry is very lucky.”

  “No, I am,” Grace said. “I can’t describe how fortunate I feel every time I see him. He is perfect for me in every way. I hope you can find someone who loves you as much as Harry loves me and I him.”

  “I knew he was perfect for you as soon as I saw him,” Eleanor said with a smile. “He lights up when he is near you Grace; it is a beautiful thing to see.”

  “I want you to marry someone who does the same for you; please don’t marry Mr Wadeson,” Grace said quietly.

  Eleanor sighed and scrunched her face at her sister. “You know I am not as romantic as you,” she said. “I need to be practical; Mr Wadeson is an obvious match for me.”

  “But he isn’t a nice man,” Grace said with a shudder. “I couldn’t bear to think he would be cruel towards you.”

  “Don’t fret yourself,” Eleanor said easily. “Can you imagine anyone being cruel to me? I would certainly give him a runaround if he tried!” Eleanor busied herself with Grace’s hair. There had been a man, one whom she thought very special, but he had been cruel in the worst possible way, and she had not given him the runaround; in fact she had been set totally adrift by his actions. She would never allow anyone to get as close to her again, but she could not tell anyone that. They would know what a fool she had been; the shame she felt at having been duped kept her dreams disturbed every night.

  “Be happy, Eleanor; that is all I want for you,” Grace persisted, troubled at the frown that was never too far from her sister’s face since she returned from Bath.

  “I will, but today is your day, and you are the one who is supposed to be happy,” Eleanor said, changing the subject from herself.

  “I am, Eleanor, happy and excited. Harry has been teasing me by not telling me what he has been doing in the cottage,” Grace said. “It’s so frustrating not being able to go outside until today.”

  “Save your strength for what is important; you’re still weak,” Eleanor said gently. “Your wedding may be small, but it will still be an exhausting day.”

  Grace smiled, “Tonight, I will be in my own home with my own husband. I never thought I would be so happy. I had set out to try and persuade Rosalind to let me live an independent life, and now I can’t even bear the thought of spending an hour away from Harry.”

  Eleanor blinked; she thought she had found someone to be happy with, but it was not to be. She roused herself. “You deserve every moment of happiness, although it will be a strange sight to see the Head Gardener being followed around the gardens by his wife!” she laughed at Grace.

  *

  The small party that gathered at the church to see Miss Grace Johnson marry Mr Harry Long had the fortune of seeing two people who were completely besotted with each other. Harry’s eyes shone with emotion when he saw his bride walk down the aisle towards him. He would bless his good fortune every day, always appreciating the vision of beauty lighting up the church as she took each step. There could have been thousands at the wedding; the bride and groom would have never noticed, having eyes only for each other as they said their vows.

  There was no wedding breakfast, just a small table covered in cakes setout in the garden of the cottage they would share as man and wife. The small family group walked them from the church to the cottage while staff followed, having waited on the outside of the church with rice to throw over the couple as they emerged into the daylight.

  Harry told Grace to close her eyes and guided her to the gate of the cottage.“You can open them now,” Harry instructed as he came to a stop, squeezing Grace’s hand gently.

  Grace blinked when she opened her eyes, hardly able to believe what was before her. The whole of the cottage garden was covered in every colour of Dianthus she had ever seen. The colours had been set out in groups, all complimenting the colour they sat next to, each colour enhancing the next. Every flower head seemed to bob in welcome as she stared in wonder at so many flowers in one place.

  Grace looked at Harry with a beaming smile. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Harry swallowed the lump stuck in his throat caused by the look of delight on his wife’s face. “They will self-set year after year; you will never be without Dianthus in your garden,” he said quietly. />
  “How did you arrange so many?” Grace asked, squeezing Harry’s hand.

  “A wedding present from the Duke,” Harry smiled.

  Grace turned to Rosalind and Peter. “Thank you,” she said.

  “Harry said you wanted to see Dianthus from your windows,” Rosalind said, her own eyes shining with the emotion of seeing her sister so happy.

  “It’s perfect,” Grace said. “I want for nothing more.”

  The guests gathered around and cake was handed out. Harry and Grace stayed together but talked to everyone; it was as if they could not bear to be separated from each other. When Grace looked a little wan, Harry indicated to Rosalind it was time to draw the festivities to a close. Rosalind nodded in understanding, and everyone said their goodbyes before moving out of the gate.

  Harry made them laugh as he scooped Grace into his arms and carried her into the house. “Welcome home, Mrs Long; I never thought this day would happen,” he whispered as they crossed the threshold.

  “I’m so happy, Harry,” Grace said, not in the least bit nervous they were now man and wife. She was with Harry; all would be well.

  “I love you, Grace,” Harry said roughly before slamming the door on the retreating figures. It was time they were finally alone together, so he could truly show her just how much she meant to him.

  Rosalind looked at Mrs Adams as the door slammed, “Is that a tear I see on your cheek?” she asked the old woman for once being the one to tease.

  “I’ve never seen a more suited couple,” Mrs Adams said with a sniff. “I must be going soft.”

  “That I cannot believe, but I agree they are suited. You were right to have faith in Harry; he really is perfect for Grace,” Rosalind admitted.

  “Glad to hear you’re willing to listen to good advice when it is given,” Mrs Adams said smugly. “Now all we have to do is sort out Eleanor, and our job will be done.”

  “She’s still insisting she’s marrying Mr Wadeson,” Rosalind said with a worried glance at her youngest sister.

  “Nonsense!” Mrs Adams said dismissively. “She’s hiding behind words; if she’d decided on that course of action she’d have returned home instead of coming to you; she also wouldn’t look so lovelorn when she thinks no one is looking.”

  “She isn’t herself that’s for certain,” Rosalind responded.

  “Right, well we need a plan of action to find out exactly what’s going on. Now, I suggest this….”

  The End

  Read on for a sneaky peak at Book 4!

  About the Author

  I have had the fortune to live a dream. I’ve always wanting to write but, life got in the way as it so often does until a few years ago. Then a change in circumstance enabled me to do what I loved; sitting down to write. Now writing has taken over my life, holidays being based around research, so much so that no matter where we go, my long-suffering husband says ‘And what connection to the Regency period has this building/town/garden got?’

  I do appreciate it when readers get in touch, especially if they love the characters as much as I do. Those first few weeks after release is a trying time, I desperately want everyone to love my characters that take months and months of work to bring to life.

  If you enjoy the books please would you take the time to write a review on Amazon? Reviews are vital for an author who is just starting out, although I admit to bad ones being crushing. Selfishly I want readers to love my stories!

  I can be contacted for any comments you may have, via my website

  www.audreyharrison.co.uk or

  www.facebook.com/AudreyHarrisonAuthor

  Novels by Audrey Harrison

  Regency Romances Other Eras

  The Four Sisters’ Series:- A Very Modern Lord

  Rosalind – Book 1 Years Apart

  Annabelle – Book 2

  Grace – Book 3

  Eleanor – Book 4

  The Inconvenient Trilogy:-

  The Inconvenient Ward – Book 1

  The Inconvenient Wife – Book 2

  The Inconvenient Companion – Book 3

  The Complicated Earl

  The Unwilling Earl (Novella)

  About the Proof Reader

  Joan fell in love with words at about 8 months of age and has been using them and correcting them ever since. She's had a 20-year career in U.S. Army public affairs spent mostly writing: speeches for Army generals, safety publications and videos, and has had one awesome book published, (italics, I'm on my kindle and can't get there) Every Day a New Adventure: Caregivers Look at Alzheimer's Disease, a really riveting and compelling look at five patients, including her own mother. It is available through Publishamerica.com. She also edits books because she loves correcting other people's use of language. What's to say? She's good at it. She lives in a small town near Atlanta, Georgia in the American South with one long-haired cat to whom she is allergic and her grandson to whom she is not. If you need her, you may reach her at oh1kelley@gmail.com.

  A preview of book 4 in the four Sisters’ Series - Eleanor

  Prologue

  Joseph Heaton flopped on the vacant chair near Archie Brinklow. “Good God, is there no escape from this inane nonsense, Brinklow? Yet another week of tedium ahead of us,” he groaned, much to his friend’s amusement.

  Archie smiled at Joseph; they had grown up together, their families being linked from one of the many intermarriages that occurred in the ton. His relation and friend sprawled across the chair, his dress perfect as always. Only the best tailor, boot maker and valet for Joseph Heaton. His breeches were a pale buff, fitting his solid legs closely. His waistcoat was characteristically flamboyant, of a pale blue patterned silk, with a darker blue frock coat showing his broad shoulders off to perfection. His boots gleamed, as always, and his cravat stood out in contrast against his waistcoat and frock coat. His black hair was slightly longer than normal, giving ladies the false impression he was of the romantic poetic kind. Archie had known Joseph long enough to know there was not a poetic bone in Joseph’s body; he was far too practical and possibly callous but with a handsome face, angled features and a brown-eyed brooding stare ladies would chase him for that alone without the title and fortune that was his.

  “Is there no one tempting you?” Archie asked. He was far more easy-going than his friend, equally as well dressed but without Joseph’s handsome features, wit and sarcasm. His features were not of the normal sharpness of the aristocracy but more rounded. He still received attention from the ladies, being considered attractive with his blue eyes and brown hair, whereas Joseph was considered one of the finest specimens in society.

  “No one I would be willing to tie myself to for the next fifty years at any rate,” Joseph responded. “Whoever teaches these girls the art of flirtation should be shot. If I hear one more giggle followed by the fluttering of a fan, I swear I will slap the chit.” Why he could not have a civil conversation with any eligible female, he would never know, but if they thought their behaviour was tempting, they were sadly mistaken.

  “It will certainly add to your reputation of notoriety,” Archie responded with a smirk.

  “It won’t put off the fortune hunters though.”

  “It would help if you decided what you’re looking for in a wife,” Archie said. “One day, you want a tall blonde, the next you want a small brunette; how on earth will you find someone when you change your requirements daily?”

  Joseph grinned, his smile lightening his features and turning handsome into beautiful. “I’m keeping my options open,” he said with a shrug. He had agreed to marry soon; his ailing mother, whom he adored, had expressed a desire to see her first born and only surviving child settled. At seven and twenty, he was happy to oblige, especially if it meant he could then avoid the marriage mart for the rest of his days. The problem was, having made the decision, he had met no one who tempted him in the slightest.

  “What do you really want in a wife?” Archie asked, curious to meet the woman who would tame his fri
end.

  “Beauty, intelligence, educated, a good dancer, sturdy constitution and the ability to make me laugh; in addition to that I want her to know when to be quiet and leave me to do as I wish,” Joseph said flippantly.

  “Such a small list of requirements; I’m surprised you have not a huge line of eligible women to choose from,” Archie said with a raise of his eyebrow.

  Joseph laughed bitterly, “I am seriously thinking of paying a respectable looking lightskirt to fool my mother into thinking I’m married and then the poor woman can die in peace. You would think I could give her this one wish, wouldn’t you? But as much as I want to please my mother, I am not tying myself to any of the chits being paraded this season.”

  Archie shook his head, “Your mother would detect an imposter at a hundred paces: she’s a lady who has class and sophistication oozing out of every pore; you would never find a lightskirt who could fool her.”

  Joseph sighed, “I know, or I would do have done it sooner,” he admitted.

  Archie’s butler interrupted them, bringing in a letter, which Archie opened and skimmed through. “It’s from West,” Archie said. “Ha! He is in Bath, chasing an heiress. Here! Read this; he sounds smitten.”

  Joseph took the offered letter and read quickly through its contents. He shook his head when he had finished reading. “West will never get anywhere, because he has not listened to a thing I’ve tried to teach him over the years.”

  “I dread to ask the question, but what’s that?” Archie asked.

  “It’s very simple,” Joseph said, leaning back in his chair, putting his hands behind his head and crossing his ankles in a superior gesture. “The moment you start to chase a girl, she has the advantage and can play you like the smitten fool you are. Pretending nonchalance and indifference is the way to secure her.”

  “Unless someone who does pander to her gets in there first,” Archie said reasonably.