Free Redeeming the Deception of Grace by Kristin Vayden

she looked Grace in the eye . Even though the temptation to be jealous of Rachel was great, she found that she truly did desire to be friends with the beauty . True friends were rare among the ton .
    " I would have to agree , " Grac e replied casting a look toward Ewan . He was grinning at her and she couldn ' t help but grin back . He was so handsome when he smiled! White teeth flashed against his too full lips , and his eyes always looked like he was harboring a delicious secret he wanted to share . With a longing sig h expelled by her heart, Grace turned her attention back to Rachel.
    " Perhaps we ' ll get a chance to get to know one another better? " Grace offered to Rachel.
    " Oh yes! I ' d love that! In fact, I ' m planning a shopping trip tomorrow, for Christmas, and I ' d love for you to join me . It ' s ever so boring going by yourself with only a maid for company. " Her eyes were pleading , and Grace understood. It was indeed tedious to shop alone.
    " I ' d love to , " Grace replied with a small giggle.
    " Will two o ' clock be acceptable? " Rachel asked, hope evident in her voice.
    " Perfectly. " Grace smiled as she spoke, hoping Rachel did indeed become the friend she believed she could be.
    " Since that is all settled. " Ewan rubb ed his hands together. " Lady Grace , would you care to take a turn about the room with me? " Ewan ' s eyes beseeched Grace; imploring her to accept his invitation, unaware that she would say yes to almost anything he requested.
    " Of course. " Grace nodd ed to Rachel and reach ed out to place her gloved hand on Ewan ' s arm . His warmth radiated through his coat and warmed her hand, causing her belly to flutter in response.
    Rather than speaking , Ewan gently led her through the crush of people . When they needed to go around a couple, Ewan touched the small of her back with the softest of pressure, and then trailed his gloved fingers slightly down her dress before losing contact with her heated skin . As they maneuvered around another group of people conversing, he guided her by taking her hand and deftly interlacing his fingers within her own . It was only for a moment before he properly plac ed her hand once again on his strong arm, but not before giving her a flirtatious glance that let her know he was fully aware of each touch .
    The flirtatious glance wasn ' t one she had seen before . N o , it was smoldering with a passion that was carefully restrained . But why ? Grace couldn ' t make sense of it. Her mind was blurry as she was lost in the simple sensations of Ewan ' s gentle attention .
    " I ' m pleased you will be spending time with Miss Rachel. " Ewan cast her a clear blue gaze as they continued to walk .
    " Yes. " Grace struggled to form a clear though t , though all she wanted to do was watch him and memorize the new expressions in his eyes as he watched her. " She seems very nice , " Grace offered after a moment of collecting her fragmented thoughts.
    " Well, she certainly is very forgiving. " Ewan chuckled.
    Grace laughed in response. " Ah, yes, I can see how that would be helpful in your current situation. How did you run into her anyway? Did you not see her? " Grace inquired, feeling more comfortable. She looked up and grinned at Ewan.
    " No, I saw her clear as day and wanted to make a fool of myself , " Ewan replied with dry sarcasm. " Of course I didn ' t see her! Do you really think me so clumsy that I ' d run into someone even if I had seen him or her? You ' re wounding my ego here , Grace. " Ewan grasped his heart in mock pain.
    " Well, one never does know with you , " Grace teased back.
    " Touché. " Ewan nodded with a wicked grin.
    Ewan stopped and Grace took a moment to glance around her . They were outside of the ballroom and on a deserted balcony … alone. Her mind spun . Why had he brought her here ? Yet, just as soon as she thought the question, she dismissed it. She didn ' t care . A ll that mattered is he had.
    Ewan ' s grin faded slightly as he turned to