Holly and Hopeful Hearts

by Caroline Warfield

  She raised her glass in a toast once Aldridge released her hand. “Consider our bargain properly sealed, my lord.”

  Chapter 12

  The grand ballroom at Hollystone Hall was filled with all manner of costumes. From kings and queens, to pirates and bar wenches, to Roman gladiators and their ladies, to gods and their goddesses, there was no end to the costumes that people wore to the gathering. A young lady scantily dressed as a Greek goddess flitted across the room to accost a gentleman dressed as a pirate. She had been chasing after several gentlemen for the past two days. Her behavior was deplorable in her quest to whatever ends only the young woman knew for sure. Nicholas had recently learned from his niece Celia that she was Lord de Courtenay’s younger sister.

  For two days, he had been in a conundrum he was unsure how to fix. Christmas dinner had been torture like none he had ever felt before when he had to sit idly by while watching Grace and the marquis flirt with one another over their meal. When they had exchanged glasses, Nicholas had to suppress the urge to jump across the table and pull the two of them apart. What was she doing making a spectacle of herself? She was a married woman after all, and why did he continue to care what she did whenever she appeared in the room? Perhaps such behavior ran in the family.

  He became aware that de Courtenay’s sister was about to get into trouble when she made her way across the room to accost her next victims. Two tall, fair-haired men, un-costumed except one wore a white mask and the other a black, were deep in conversation when she interrupted them. One of the gentlemen casually leaned against a pillar as they listened to whatever she was saying. If it were her ploy to pursue them, Nicholas could not say, but he knew the tables turned quite suddenly on the unsuspecting young woman when both men bent to whisper in each of her ears. Nicholas saw the situation for what it was and knew this would not end well.

  It was no concern to him what happened, or so Nicholas told himself, but when he watched the trio move to a secluded corner of the room, he was just about to intervene on the young woman’s behalf. Before he reached them, the air rushed from his lungs, and he knew Grace was near. He turned around in the direction of the entryway, and there she was dressed like the goddess Diana, and looking every bit the part of the divine creature he knew her to be. At least she was not in some shocking attire that exposed more of her body, like the statue he had seen in the gardens of Hollystone or like the scandalous Miss de Courtenay.

  Nicholas followed Grace’s movements as she entered the ballroom. Her gown flowed behind her, and she had a small bow slung over her shoulder, just large enough to confirm her character. Sandals adorned her feet and peeked from the edges of her gown when she walked, no, glided into the room. Surely this woman was a gift from heaven itself as she stepped among God’s angels and graced mere mortals with her presence here on earth.

  Grace took a glass of wine from a servant who passed by. She surveyed the room, a small smile lighting her face when she observed her sister and the two gentlemen in the corner. Nicholas frowned. Such a reaction was not what he expected, nor was Grace’s gesture of slightly raising her glass in a silent toast to the men after her sister bolted from the room, clearly upset.

  With a nod, she ended her silent acknowledgement of the pair and strolled in the direction of her husband. Nicholas frowned. Was he mistaken when he guessed the gentleman to be dressed as Apollo? Portraying a brother and sister was a strange choice for a husband and wife. Grace tugged on her husband’s attire until he leaned down so she could whisper in his ear. The couple then proceeded to have cross words with one another before Lord de Courtenay fled the room.

  “Lady de Courtenay’s brother certainly has his hands full keeping their foolish little sister out of trouble,” stated a gentleman who was walking behind Nicholas.

  He turned slightly at the mention of Grace’s name and saw the two men in the white and the black masks. They were looking at the door through which Grace’s husband had just left the room.

  “Lord de Courtenay may need to lock Miss de Courtenay in her room for the remainder of their stay lest the girl do something even more asinine than pursuing the pair of us,” the other responded with a groan. “We may have just been playing a game to teach the young lady to be careful what she offers and to whom, but other men of our acquaintance would have no issue compromising her and leaving her ruined. I tell you, Gren, I am tired of all these debutantes constantly scheming to be the next duchess. My reputation is meant to scare them off!”

  “I believe we made our point, Aldridge.”

  Aldridge chuckled. “Indeed. I doubt she will continue throwing herself at us.”

  Nicholas watched their retreating backs before returning his attention toward Grace, who was now speaking with his niece, Elinor. Brother? What the bloody hell? For the love of God, could he have been so mistaken about the lady?

  When Elinor excused herself and made her way to her mother’s side, Nicholas went to her. Surely she would be able to put an end to this mystery.

  “I do not know why I chose to be Queen Elizabeth, Mother. However did they manage with these contraptions underneath their skirts? I swear I am constantly in fear I will knock over a table every time I turn.”

  “May I have a moment of your time, Elinor?” Nicholas quietly interrupted whatever Caroline was about to answer. He took his niece’s elbow and escorted her to a nearby alcove where they would not be overheard.

  Elinor hurried to keep up with his pace. “I hardly have more than a few minutes, Uncle. I am still ensuring the servants have everything under control for the party tonight.”

  Nicholas took off his mask and ran a hand through his hair. “I am sure the Duchess of Haverford’s servants are more than capable of taking care of events without the help of your planning committee.”

  Elinor peered at him with narrowed brows. “I can see you are in a foul mood again. I shall tell Mother on you, and then you shall never hear the end of her lecture that you are not enjoying yourself.”

  “Just do not tell your father. I still am not sure he will forgive me when he finds out that I have let his daughters basically run amuck in the last two weeks while I have been otherwise…distracted.”

  “She is lovely, is she not?”

  “Who?” Nicholas asked, afraid that his niece would so easily read him.

  Elinor laughed, confirming his fears. “Why, Lady de Courtenay, of course. Who else would we be speaking about? Honestly, Uncle Nicholas, only a fool would not know you have come to care for her the way you watch her every move.”

  “Eh gads, I am a fool.” Nicholas looked upon his niece. “Tell me what you know, and be quick about it.”

  She attempted to sit down on a chair and remain in a lady-like position but appeared far from comfortable with the costume she wore. “Blasted dress. It looks like I shall be standing on my feet all evening long,” she complained.

  “Elinor…”

  She gave him a sly smile. “What do you wish to know?”

  “You are going to make me say it aloud, are you not?”

  “What do you think?” she teased.

  “Very well,” he fumed. “Is she married or not?”

  Elinor took out her fan and began to wave it furiously across her face. “My, it is hot in here.”

  “Elinor, this is not time to make fun of your uncle,” he warned.

  “Oh, very well. What were you asking?” She feigned a look of complete absentmindedness.

  “Grace, Lady de Courtenay,” he hissed. “Is she or is she not married?

  Elinor snapped her fan shut. “Whatever gave you the idea the lady was married in the first place, Uncle?”

  “I suppose being introduced to her husband may have had something to do with it,” he answered with clenched teeth. “And the fact she is not known as Lady Grace.”

  “Her husband? Adrian, Lord de Courtenay?”

  “Is there another that goes by that name?” he mocked. “Lady de Courtenay was the one who introduced us.” />
  Elinor looked puzzled. “She introduced her brother to you as her husband? How singular. Making a joke of such an important matter is completely out of her character. Surely you are mistaken?”

  “I am telling you she introduced him as Lord de Courtenay…”

  “And?” Elinor prodded.

  Nicholas plopped down upon the chair, reviewing their past conversation. He had not stuck around long enough to listen to the remainder of her introduction. She was not married. “…and your uncle is a complete and total idiot.”

  “I see. Well, I confess my father may have previously claimed such a description when he refers to you. Lady de Courtenay was married to her second cousin, who held the earldom. He died only a short time after they had wed. The gentleman you see here at Hollystone is her younger brother, who inherited the title since his sister did not produce an heir.”

  Bloody hell. Who named so many claimants to a title by the same name! No wonder he had been confused. Though the little sister’s name should have been a clue. If Lord de Courtenay’s father had been earl, she would be Lady Miranda, not Miss. He had made a hash of things. “How will I ever make amends to her?”

  “There is nothing you can do about what happened in the past other than to set the matter straight with the lady. You do care for her, do you not?”

  He peered at his niece before setting the mask back upon his face. “Of course I do, but we have quarreled. I highly doubt the woman will have anything more to do with me. Whatever am I to do?”

  Elinor gave him a hug. “I suggest you go and find your lady. I believe your apology will require a fair amount of groveling to get back in her good graces. Do a good job of it, Uncle Nicholas. Grace is a lovely lady and would be a wonderful addition to our family.”

  Groveling. Yes, he would indeed need to grovel and beg her forgiveness, at her feet if necessary. He began to pray in earnest that she would forgive him for thinking the worst of her.

  Chapter 13

  Grace bowed to her partner when the music ended. She left the dance floor in search of the table where she had left her bow. She instructed a servant to take it back to her room so she would not misplace it again once she found one that was free to do her bidding.

  She and Adrian had had a brief hushed conversation after his return from their sister’s room. Poor Miranda. Aldridge and his brother had done their job well, and Grace swore this was the last time she would ever make a wager with Miranda; too many people could have been hurt by such a silly bet. Miranda could keep her bonnet and muff, especially when Adrian had told Grace that their sister had been mortified by the gentleman’s proposition, as any innocent young lady should be. She had no idea that the Merry Marquis and his brother would invite Miranda to be their mistress… together!

  She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and froze when a familiar scent of cologne caused her heart to begin a frantic pace. Her breath left her in a rush of excitement. Or was it betrayal that she would still be so affected by one man. Oh, no. Please, God, do not let Nicholas be standing this close behind me, she whispered a silent prayer to a higher being. Her heart would not be able to stand another beating.

  “I have been a fool.”

  She knew that voice as surely as she knew her own.

  “I will not debate such a fact with you, sir,” she replied without turning, afraid that once she looked upon his face she might throw herself into his arms.

  “I owe you an apology.”

  “Yes, you do, not that I should accept such an effort.”

  “Can you forgive me, Grace?” he asked quietly.

  Her bruised pride got in her way of thinking clearly. She whirled around to look upon him, the domino mask a vivid reminder of her first kiss with this man. He was not playing fair, not playing fair at all!

  “Forgive you for what, my lord?” she snapped harshly, her anger getting the best of her. “Which offense should we address first? Forgive you for not allowing me to explain that Adrian was my brother and assuming I was an unfaithful wife? Shall I forgive you for basically treating me like a woman of ill-repute when I came to your room? Or even worse… should I forgive you for allowing myself to fall in love with you despite it all?”

  She gasped, realizing her mistake in confessing her feelings to a man who surely must have no heart. Just how loud she shouted her words at him she could not say, but she was thankful for the noise of the musician’s playing nearby drowning out their conversation.

  He took her by the elbow and maneuvered her out the nearest door before she came to her senses and realized what he was about.

  “Just where do you think you are taking me, Nicholas?” she fumed. “Let go of me.”

  “I am not going to discuss our lives in the middle of a ballroom with all of society there to witness our fighting for their entertainment and gossip.” He opened a door to a small salon and closed it behind them.

  Grace backed up into the room until she stood her ground. This man would not intimidate her nor bend her to his will.

  “You love me?” Nicholas inquired, hope shining in his eyes.

  “Is that all you heard?” she asked in disbelief.

  “Of course not, and I deserve everything you throw at me. You must know I care for you.”

  Grace was unsure what sound came out of her mouth. “You have a funny way of showing it.”

  “I thought you were married…”

  “…and you would have known that I was not, if you had but cared to listen to me instead of treating me like a woman with no morals.”

  “We have both been behaving foolishly,” he murmured in a husky whisper.

  “I do not see how I have been the one to act the fool,” Grace replied with a flip of her head.

  “No? What about your behavior at dinner on Christmas? Do you have any idea what kind of a man you were flirting with when you chose the Marquis of Aldridge to make me jealous? The man has had more mistresses than most can count.”

  “Aldridge was a perfect gentleman,” she retorted sharply before her eyes widened. “You were jealous? Of me talking with Aldridge?”

  “Of course, I was jealous of the man. He shall be a duke one day. What woman would not like to receive the attentions of the Merry Marquis? Besides, at the time I thought you were hoping to take him as your lover, since you had all but refused my offer to become mine.”

  She stomped her foot then lifted her chin. “If this is your way of apologizing, Lord Nicholas, you can keep such an effort to yourself. Once again, you have no idea about why I was behaving toward the marquis as I was, nor did you give me ample time to explain myself before you jumped to the wrong conclusions.”

  “Grace…” He held out his hands.

  She held up hers to halt him coming any closer. “Stay away from me, Nicholas. There is nothing you can do or say right now to make amends when I am this upset.”

  She opened the salon door and ran straight into Aldridge.

  “There you are, my dear. You appear as though you need cheering up. Come dance with me. I am told that I am more than capable of pleasing a lady… on the dance floor, of course.” He held out his arm.

  Grace placed her hand in his care, knowing he would understand what was going on. With one last look behind her, she saw Nicholas standing ramrod straight, a grim expression on his handsome face. His fist slammed into the doorframe.

  Chapter 14

  New Year’s Eve

  Grace patted her hair while she rushed down the hallway. She had received a most urgent summons. The Duchess of Haverford requested her presence immediately. Thinking that something terrible had happened, she hurried as fast as she could. Why else would she be called to see her hostess unless there was some sort of emergency?

  She was about to knock on the door when it was suddenly opened. The doorframe was filled with none other than Nicholas, looking devilishly handsome in his evening attire for tonight’s charity ball. His face lit with a roguish grin as if he had some secret he dare not share with
her.

  “Lady de Courtenay,” he murmured with a bow.

  Politeness demanded she acknowledge the gentleman before her. She nodded. “Lord Nicholas.”

  He stepped aside so she could enter the room before he closed the door behind her. She shook her head to get Nicholas out of her mind and walked across the room to meet her hostess.

  “You wished to see me, Your Grace?” she asked, dropping into a deep curtsey.

  “Ah, Lady de Courtenay. Yes, my dear, I did wish to see you.” The duchess waved to a chair beside her own. “Please, take a seat. I have had a most unusual proposition. Or, perhaps, not so unusual.” She did not smile, but her eyes crinkled with amusement. “I could not say ‘yes’ without speaking with you, but five hundred pounds for our fund? It is a great deal of money.”

  “Five hundred pounds?” She accepted the seat indicated. “Such a sum is indeed very generous to our cause, but what does such a donation have to do with me?”

  The duchess’s eyes twinkled. “Rather a lot, my dear, but what will you think of it? That is the question.” She waved toward the tea trolley. “Tea?”

  “If you think I will need something to fortify myself, then yes, I would love some tea. Shall I pour?” Grace asked, now curious as to what this conversation would reveal.

  “If you would, my dear. And you can decline, of course. I will not think the less of you, and no one else will ever know. Except Lord Nicholas, of course.”

  The tea cup rattled in the saucer she was handing to the duchess. “Lord Nicholas?” she managed to whisper. Grace succeeded in passing the duchess her cup without disaster. She placed her shaking hands in her lap, afraid tea would spill all over the trolley if she were to attempt to pour another serving.

  “Ah.” The duchess nodded wisely and sipped her tea. “Thank you, Lady de Courtenay. That is just as I like it.”