Free Saving Grace by Michele Paige Holmes Page B

unfortunate incident has occurred, but I have determined to take advantage of the circumstance and make the most of it for all of our sakes. However, I must warn you …
     
    Grace fastened the clasp of her earring, then lowered her trembling hands — it seemed they’d yet to stop shaking or warm at all in the past two days — and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were large and worried, her face pale, but beyond those somewhat usual features, she almost didn’t recognize herself.
    Gone was her plain bun, and in its place, a riot of curls adorned her head, with a few trailing down either side of her face. A sparkling tiara nestled among the curls, and a matching necklace lay at the base of her throat.
    “You’ve never looked lovelier,” Miranda said.
    “Nor ever felt quite so treacherous.” Grace hadn’t thought she’d miss wearing black. In the previous month, her shift to gowns with more of a gray hue had felt like an acceptable improvement. That was shortly before embarking upon this trip, which she now termed “the madness of her father, George.”
    But after nearly a year of donning only the darkest, plainest clothing, she felt something of a shock to see herself looking fashionable. Tonight she wore an ivory ballgown, with her hair done up and jewels at her neck and dangling from her earlobes, a hint of color on her cheeks and lips. Perhaps Miranda was right that Grace had never looked as lovely as she did right then. But it did not feel lovely to be showing extreme disrespect for her late grandfather, who had been so generous to her.
    “The duke would understand,” Miranda said kindly.
    “Would he?” Grace turned to her, once again seeking comfort and reassurance from the older woman. At times like these, she would have given much for a five-minute conversation with her mother. She feared — she knew — she treated Miranda as a substitute far too often.
    “I believe he’d say that you had your wits about you and are using them.”
    Grace smiled her gratitude. “That is something he would have said. Oh, but how I miss him. How I hope he knows I mean him no disrespect by dressing this way and acting this part. Were it up to me, I should have remained in mourning two years and longer, and I should never have my name known for anything.”
    “Don’t trouble yourself over the gown, at least,” Miranda said. “It’s a shame to have those fine clothes and never use them. And your father already took you to task for such at Sir Lidgate’s.”
    “ Father. ” Grace gave an indignant flounce and turned to face the glass once more. “His letter only confirmed that he has spies everywhere. I’ve never felt so tattled upon in my life as I did after that visit. I should very much like to know who told him that I wore my plainest black frock to Sir Lidgate’s lavish dinner party. Besides —” She brought a hand to her chest. “I had to. It was the only thing keeping me safe from Lidgate’s prying eyes and hands.”
    Miranda let out a snort that sounded suspiciously like laughter. “That you did. And this is what you must wear now if” — Miranda leveled a gaze upon her — “you still wish to continue this façade.”
    “As if we have any choice in the matter.” Grace shook her head. “No going back. I’ve no doubt Harrison has already done his job exceedingly well.”
    “You’ve no idea.” Miranda rolled her eyes. “It appears the man is a natural-born gossip. His tongue has been flapping at both ends since we arrived.”
    “Wonderful,” Grace said. “How perfectly marvelous that everyone here will think the worst of me, that I am a fallen woman ... that I am no longer marriageable.”
    Nor is Helen, by association .“All is well,” Grace said, her voice stronger, more convinced. I need only get through this evening.
    Since her arrival yesterday, she’d stayed in her room, partially because she continued to feel poorly, and partly to allow Harrison and Miranda time