Free Redeeming the Deception of Grace by Kristin Vayden Page B

replacing him was a perfect gentleman . Grace found she missed the old Ewan, and wondered what had caused such a profound change .
    Although his actions said he was paying her court as well, she didn ' t know for sure . He had not stated his intentions nor spoke with her parents , as far as she knew . It had been a confusing week , and Grace was frustrated.
    " Mother? " Grace asked as Lady Jarvais walked into her room . She was beautifully dressed in a red velvet gown trimmed with gold - braided trim . On her head was a thin veil that had white ostrich feathers gracing the top .
    " Yes, love? " Lady Jarvais asked as she inspected Grace ' s dress. " You look stunning. I ' m sure Shiply will be pleased. " She spoke with tenderness as she caressed her daughter ' s arm and studied her with a proud smile.
    " Yes , well… I believe I have a problem … " Grace trailed off, unsure of how much to share with her mother.
    " What is it, darling? " she asked, sitting down next to her and waiting patiently.
    " What if … I mean … " She paused, collecting her thoughts. " What if Shiply isn ' t exactly what I want? What if there was another who… another to whom I was attracted ? " s he asked hesitantly as she lowered her eyes and smoothed out the lines of her silk gown .
    " No one is requiring you to accept Shiply ' s attentions , dear , " h er mother replied gently.
    " I know , but … though I know I should like him and be thankful because he ' s a perfectly respectable gentleman, my heart is holding on to a fantasy , and M other, I… "
    " You don ' t know if you should settle or not? " Lady Jarvais added helpfully.
    " Does that sound horrid? I sound vain and arrogant when it ' s said that way , but it is how I feel , " Grace replied miserably . She lifted her gloved hands and covered her eyes.
    " No , love, you don ' t sound vain . " Lady Jarvais smooth ed Grace ' s warm cinnamon and golden hair from her face . " Sometimes the heart is simply wiser than the head, but also , sometimes the reverse is true as well. "
    C onfused , Grace looked at her mother. " But which is true of me, now? Which is wiser , m y head or heart? My head says be thankful and forget about my heart , and my heart says the opposite. " A lone tear trailed down Grace ' s cheek, followed by a sister tear on her other cheek.
    " Dear … " Lady Jarvais pulled her daughter into an embrace. " These things have a way of working out . As of yet, Shiply hasn ' t asked for your hand , so you have time, love . Time to discern the wisdom of both your head and your heart . As for Shiply, he wouldn ' t be allowed around my daughter if I didn ' t think him worthy of your attention. As for the other… " Lady Jarvais wiped Grace ' s tears away . " I believe Ewan is equally as worthy, or else I wouldn ' t have allowed him around here as long as I have . "
    Grace gasp ed .
    She smiled. " You ' re my daughter , love, it ' s my job to know your heart , " s he replied to a still stunned Grace. " Give them both time , dear, you don ' t have to choose now. " Lady Jarvais rose from her seat and placed a kiss upon her daughter ' s head before leaving the room.
    Grace ' s gaze followed her mother as she left . She was thankful her mother had said she approved just as much of Ewan as Shiply . S omehow it made her feel more secure in her affection for him . With a deep breath , Grace continued to ready for the ball, and something told her that it would be special, one way or another.
     
    ****
     
    Ewan paced the floor of his study, watching the clock. Time seemed to be standing still, for the clock appeared to almost move backward. He clearly was anticipating the evening with too much impatience. Tonight he would speak the words he had been so carefully display ed the past week to Grace . It had nearly killed him; the restraint, the self - control it took to be utterly proper when around her and not succumbing to his passion and pulling her into a tight embrace and kissing her