Free FromNowOn by Eliza Lloyd

welcoming
passage.
    “I love you, Seb,” she whispered.
    Those were the words he waited to hear. Not a day went by
when she didn’t tell him. She did not write him a letter that did not include
the sentiment. And never, ever did he enter her body when she did not utter
those simple, life-changing words.
    “I love you too, Gracie.”
    * * * * *
    Two weeks did not seem enough time to prepare for a trip
that was seven years in the making, so Grace was much relieved when they
finally had all three carriages and the entourage of governesses, helpers,
valets and lady’s maids all stuffed inside.
    Old Madge was right. The weather held, allowing the children
much-needed playtime with each coach stop. David James and Penny, now four,
wanted their mama at the start of each day so they rode in the coach until midmorning.
It never took long for Penny to climb into her Papa’s lap, an occasion Seb
always encouraged.
    As they inched closer to London, Grace felt the pangs of
anxiety she had thought under control. Even as she sat in the carriage she
couldn’t stop from turning her face away from Seb and staring outside.
    Was she really ready to endure the critical and unforgiving
crowds?
    She glanced at Seb to find he was watching her.
    “We don’t have to do this,” he said. “It is a simple matter
to turn the carriage around.”
    All she could do was give him a halfhearted smile.
“Nonsense. I have a ball to plan.”
    Seb had made her feel beautiful again. Would the ton try to take it away from her?
    The morning of the day they would arrive in London, the
twins and Penny crowded into their carriage. David James stayed with his governess.
Both of the boys sat next to a window and Penny was once again in her father’s
lap. Seb pointed out landmarks and the boys fired questions about racehorses
and duels.
    Grace concentrated on breathing. As wonderful as London was,
she could not make herself feel the joy of coming home, even though her sisters
had been ecstatic to hear she was returning at last.
    The Traynor home on Hanover Square did not have a name—it
being a newer style that didn’t possess historic significance—but Grace was
ready to renovate and make it their home.
    The boys tumbled from the carriage once it came to a stop.
Barely.
    Seb still carried Penny but he reached back for Grace,
clutching her hand as she descended from the carriage.
    Once she was safely off the street, Seb wrapped his free
hand about her waist and kissed her forehead. “I’m so glad you are here with
me.”
    From there it was a whirlwind of activity, starting the next
morning when her sisters arrived. Sebastian busied himself during the day—his
presence at night was a necessary comfort for her.
    Naturally her sisters would be integral to planning their
ball. Two hundred of London’s elite would be invited.
    Her sisters had gotten it into their heads that she should
wait until the night of the ball to be seen. Sebastian only raised a brow at
the suggestion. Within days nearly everyone had confirmed attendance,
supporting her suspicions there was gossip and she was central to it. There
would be myriad entertainments elsewhere on that evening. Why else would so
many come to her ball?
    She had to admit that having a skilled French dressmaker
attend her was a particular indulgence she had missed. Vanity was one thing but
she wanted a stunning dress to take the attention away from her .
    Seb had arrived in her room on the third day of fittings and
cuttings. He said, “Monsignor LaPierre, whatever my wife needs. The best of
everything, if you please.”
    “Don’t encourage him, Ridgley. I’ve spent scads of your
money already. Oh, and you should see what he is making for Penny.”
    “Penny needs a French designer gown? For a ball she will
sleep through?”
    Just then Penny, who was sitting on the floor behind her,
peeped around the wide skirts Grace was wearing.
    “It’s pink, Papa.”
    Nothing could make Seb light up like a word from