Blinded by Grace: Book Five of the Cotillion Ball series (Crimson Romance) Read online

  “Good.” Simon rubbed his hands together, and Grace experienced a sudden chill. Whatever could he have planned? She caught her lower lip between her teeth and began to worry. When she tasted her own blood, she ceased her actions, but not her worry. Perhaps forcing Simon and her mother to attend this weekend’s festivities was not such a good idea after all.

  • • •

  Sophie and Simon Huffman, and Grace, emerged from their carriage and were greeted by an entourage headed by Jasmine, along with Lydia Smith, Jasmine’s mother-in-law, As Lydia led the older couple into the parlor for some tea and refreshments after their journey, Jasmine spirited Grace away from the group, leading her upstairs to the room which had been set aside for her for the weekend.

  “Wait until you see what we’ve done,” Jasmine cooed, taking Grace by the hand. When she got to the door of the room, she turned and said, “Close your eyes for a moment.”

  Grace smiled at the childish game, closed her eyes, and allowed Jasmine to lead her into the bedroom. Certain that Jasmine had done something silly, such as having her sleep in what would soon be the nursery; she waited, impatiently, for Jasmine to give her the command to open her eyes. She caught the rustle of fabric as she stood in the doorway with her eyes shut. What was Jasmine doing?

  “All right, everything is ready. Open your eyes.”

  Grace obeyed, and gasped in shock as she took in what Jasmine had been staging. On the bed were two new ball gowns in jewel tones of burgundy and teal blue. Draped over a chair was a butter-colored riding habit. Matching shoes and boots were lined up at the foot of the bed.

  “What is all this?” she asked, as her hand reached out to touch the luxurious fabrics.

  “It’s all Halwyn’s idea. Your stepfather has made Halwyn angry, and anyone who knows my brother is aware his anger is not something you should rile up. I’ve never seen him in such a fury before. Halwyn’s not usually the demonstrative sort. Even though he was on the wrestling team in college, he doesn’t place much stock in fisticuffs. He will fight your stepfather subtly instead. He came to me on Monday, and said he wanted you to have new outfits for each event taking place this weekend. He even ordered nightclothes and a wrapper for you. You really didn’t need to pack a thing.”

  Grace let her breath out slowly. “Simon will be furious.”

  Jasmine’s face broke into a sly grin. “And won’t it be fun?”

  “I’m not sure about this, Jasmine. I think Simon already is at the end of his patience. New clothing, paid for by Halwyn, will only push him over the edge.”

  “Well, I’m certain Simon is planning to somehow thwart you and Halwyn from going forward. Otherwise, he would have found a way to weasel out of the invitation, even if it did mean slighting my family. But we have plans of our own. I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I can’t wait.” Jasmine’s eyes were bright as she glanced at her best friend.

  “What plans?” Grace caught some of Jasmine’s enthusiasm.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t tell you. I’ll leave it to Halwyn.”

  “No, Jasmine, you can’t start and not finish. If your family has something planned, the earlier I am made aware of it, the better I can counter any repercussions Simon will have. You simply must tell me now!”

  “All right. But you must plead ignorance when Halwyn makes his big announcement. He put in an offer on the house you both agreed was the best one, and it’s been accepted! So, in the next few weeks, you’ll be busy buying furniture and draperies for your move into the house before the Fourth of July. You and Mother will be so caught up in outfitting Halwyn’s home, you’ll have little time left over for Simon to make you miserable.” Jasmine danced around the room in her excitement.

  “What wonderful news! I love the house we picked out. It’s very much to Halwyn’s taste.” Grace lowered her head. “And mine … ”

  Jasmine grabbed Grace’s hand and jumped up and down as they had done when they were children.

  “The house isn’t the best part. And if you tell anyone I’m the one who leaked the information, I’ll disavow all knowledge of the conversation. But our family heads to the Hamptons, to Mother and Papa’s vacation home there, for a week or so each July. Admittedly, it’s a bit of a trek from Manhattan, but it’s tradition for New Yorkers to celebrate Independence Day there. Halwyn’s planning on asking if it would be all right for you to marry while everyone’s there. Won’t it be wonderful? You’ll become my sister-in-law before your birthday and before another summer goes by.” Jasmine grabbed Grace in a hug. “So, you see, anything Simon has planned is going to be overturned by the big news Halwyn will impart this weekend.”

  Jasmine’s enthusiasm spread to Grace, and her heart was light for the first time in a long time. The niggling fear she got from Simon in the carriage was forgotten as she rode the wave of headiness. She was going to marry Halwyn by the Fourth of July! Everything was going to be all right now.

  • • •

  Halwyn and his father were in the racetrack’s stables, accompanied by Parr. Each horse had a story, and Parr was weaving their history into a tale of their accomplishments over the past few years. His Irish brogue made whatever he was saying quite pleasant to hear, and Halwyn listened to the lilt in his voice rather than focusing on his words. He let his mind drift, and it went to the same place it had been going more and more. Grace. He could almost smell her lilac scent.

  Tonight, he would detail to her, and to her mother and stepfather, the timeline he had planned. Now that he had purchased a home for them, there was no need to wait. The sooner he could remove Grace from under Simon’s rule, the better. Halwyn worried about Sophie Huffman, too, but there was little to be done there, unless Sophie specifically requested the help. It had been her decision in the first place which landed both herself and Grace into this quagmire the union had become. He might not be able to help Sophie, but he could help Grace. And he didn’t want to waste any time in accomplishing his mission.

  Even with the knowledge that there was no alternative to the course they were proceeding on, he was surprised by a couple of things. First, his mother was wholeheartedly in favor of the union. Her reaction worried him, since he was well aware his mother had marriage—a true marriage—on her mind for him this year, and, if he and Grace went forward with the marriage as currently agreed upon, a true union would be impossible, and his mother would be disappointed when they divorced. She already thought of Grace as one of her daughters. Second, Simon’s reaction to Grace and Halwyn’s engagement seemed a bit extreme. True enough, in the manner of a seasoned fortune hunter, Simon thought he had devised a foolproof system to make certain the money reverted to Sophie and, consequently, to him.

  But Halwyn and Grace had thwarted his efforts. He’d accused his stepdaughter of stooping to the worst possible actions while in pursuit of a husband, and, as a result, people were now talking behind her back about her. Halwyn had been made aware of the veiled comments, just as he was certain Grace had, and it made his blood boil. Well, soon enough she’d have more wealth than any ten of the people who were now hurling slurs at her, and wouldn’t need to care what other people thought, said, or did. But Simon could still cause problems up until her twenty-first birthday, in July. Halwyn would have to be vigilant.

  “This is the horse I thought you could ride tomorrow, Halwyn.” Parr’s voice finally broke into his thoughts. Halwyn roused himself from his reverie and ran a hand down the fetlock of the black horse in question.

  “A fine piece of horseflesh, this one is,” Halwyn exclaimed. “I think you’re right.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Halwyn spied Simon Huffman, who had silently entered the stables and joined their group, but loitered behind them. Halwyn decided to extend a hand of friendship toward him, to see what happened.

  “What do you think, Simon? Is this horse a fine specimen or not?”

  Simon seemed a bit startled to be addressed directly. He took a sidelong glance at the horse shifting in his stall before he replie
d. “A bit too much horse for George, maybe, but you should be able to hold him in check.”

  George bristled at the comment. “I’m not so much older than you, Simon. I can still ride a spirited steed.”

  Parr stepped between the men. “But I think this one will be Halwyn’s mount for tomorrow. We’ll find another better suited to you, George. And I’d be happy to advise you, Mr. Huffman, on a horse for yourself.”

  “That won’t be necessary, young man. I’m perfectly capable of finding my own mount. I’m quite a good judge of horseflesh.”

  “Aye, as you wish, sir.” Parr backed away from the conversation.

  George walked with Simon as they toured the other horses in the barn. Simon found one he was partial to, and declared it would be his mount for Saturday’s ride. To signify an end to the discussion, he pulled a cheroot out of his pocket.

  “Beggin’ your pardon, sir, but there’s no smoking allowed in the stables.”

  A flash of anger came over Simon’s face. Halwyn noted the play of emotions as Simon turned to Parr. “You are a young whippersnapper, aren’t you? Who do you think you’re talking to?”

  George tapped Simon on the back. “Lighten up, Simon. This is my new son-in-law you’re talking to. We can have a cigar on the walk back to the house. It’s nearly time to get ready for dinner anyway.”

  Simon sent Parr one more nasty stare before he turned and left the stables with George.

  Parr and Halwyn shared a glance. Parr lifted his shoulders. “Sometimes, ’tis best to just let things go.”

  “You’re too easygoing, Parr. How did you ever get Jasmine to fall for you? She’s quite the opposite.”

  Parr smiled. “Ah, there’s where you’re wrong. My Jasmine is the sweetest woman ever.”

  “I’ll admit, she’s settled quite a bit since she married you, so well done. But Simon is not someone you can let your guard down around. He’s one nasty man.”

  “Aye, I’ll be keeping my eye on him, then.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Halwyn’s nerves jangled as he waited with the other men for the arrival of their women. This was the first time he’d ever had a woman to claim, and he wasn’t quite sure how that knowledge sat with him. Tonight, he was going to share with Grace his mother’s idea for a wedding ceremony in the Hamptons over the Independence Day weekend. It was little wonder he couldn’t stand still.

  He spent the afternoon doing what he did best—analyzing the plan from many different angles. He now had a brownstone of his own, having put down money on the house he and Grace had examined a few days earlier. It was close enough to his family’s home that he could walk over for a visit anytime he wanted. But he would have his own space, finally, without feeling the restrictions so many people crammed under one roof caused. He would be gloriously alone.

  With Grace.

  His heart began to beat faster, and he ran a hand down his formal dinner jacket. Surely he was imagining things. He wasn’t nervous about the evening. He didn’t get nervous, ever. It was one of his assets that had been finely honed while he was at Yale. He had nerves of steel every time he faced a wrestling opponent. His record of wins was quite impressive, because he refused to be intimidated. No man, large or small, was able to penetrate his outward demeanor.

  So how was it that one wisp of a woman was making him nervous, if that was truly what was happening? There was plenty of room in his new house for both him and Grace to reside there separately, yet under the same roof; giving the appearance of a married couple to anyone who cared. Only Grace and Halwyn, and Grace’s next husband, need ever know their marriage had never been consummated.

  A flurry of noise and activity in the hall outside the large parlor announced the arrival of the ladies. Halwyn turned toward the door, searching for Grace. He was anxious to see how her new gown fit. Jasmine had shown him the creations she had put together for Grace’s weekend activities yesterday when he dropped by her store to align her accounting books for the week. Halwyn’s particular favorite was the butter-colored riding attire, which was complemented by soft brown leather boots. But he also thought the burgundy gown she would be wearing this evening was lovely, too.

  Grace stopped for a moment in the doorway, and Halwyn spotted her. She resembled a fine painting, with the doorway as the frame. The deep red wine color of the gown brought a pale pink hue to her cheeks. Her dark hair was piled on top of her head, with a few sausage curls cascading over one exposed shoulder. Even though the neckline of the dress bared both shoulders, it was still modest in design. The arms of the gown puffed slightly before ending at the elbow in a flourish of creamy lace. Halwyn nodded to her, and cleared his throat as he moved toward her.

  “You’re a delight to the eyes, Grace,” he said quietly.

  The pink in her cheeks darkened slightly. “Thank you, Halwyn. Again. The clothes are lovely. I’m beginning to think I’m getting the best end of our bargain. You haven’t asked me to do a thing yet, except to tour some homes with you.”

  “Possibly, so far. But the owners of the house have agreed to my terms, so you’ll soon be placed in charge of filling the home with furnishings. Mother is dying to help you.”

  Grace settled her bare hand on Halwyn’s arm, and he stared at it. No gloves tonight, he noticed. Her neatly manicured nails fascinated him, and he covered her hand with his own, his fingers running lightly over hers. He caught her shiver as he did so, and pulled her close to him. The room was a bit drafty. She must be reacting to the chill in the air.

  “We have much to talk about, Grace. Let’s sit in the corner for a few minutes before dinner.”

  Grace positioned herself beside him on the loveseat, smoothing down the skirt of her gown. She then glanced up at him, expectantly. “It’s wonderful news about the house, Halwyn. I suppose we’ll now need to talk about how you see it outfitted. Is that what you have to discuss with me?”

  “No, it’s something else entirely. This was Mother’s idea, actually, but I think it’s a sound plan. My parents bought a home in the Hamptons several years ago, and the grounds are lovely. Mother came up with the idea that we plan to marry in the church in the neighboring town, and have an outdoor reception in the gardens of the Hamptons estate. We could hold the ceremony the weekend of the Fourth of July, if you have no objection. I realize it’s not that far off and doesn’t give you much time to plan, but Jasmine’s already come up with a design for your wedding gown. We won’t have a lavish wedding, but rather an appropriate one, considering our circumstances.”

  Grace’s eyes began to shine with unshed tears. She blinked rapidly. “You mean appropriate to our sham of a marriage?”

  He took her hands in his. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, Grace. But you and I both are aware this is not a typical marriage. As we agreed, we will marry only for a year, after which we will each go our separate ways.”

  “Then I suppose where the ceremony takes place or what I wear really doesn’t matter. The Hamptons will be fine, Halwyn. And I am grateful you are agreeing to help me.”

  “All right, then. I’ll announce our intentions after dinner.”

  “Fine.” She replied softly.

  “What did you say?” He leaned in to better hear her comment, and got a whiff of lilac water. His head began to swim.

  “I said, that would be wonderful.”

  • • •

  Grace, you have no right getting your feelings hurt by Halwyn. You sold yourself, and this idea of a marriage, to him as a business proposal. The fact that you hoped it would evolve into something more is a one-sided notion and yours alone. Maybe you did too good of a job of selling the idea. Blast and damn!

  She pasted a demure smile on her face as Halwyn rose from the loveseat and extended a hand to her. She had enjoyed sitting so close to him, inhaling his very masculine scent of starch and spice. Ah, well, the intimate moment was gone. Dinner awaited … as if she could eat anything.

  Simon and Sophie Huffman crossed the room to stand in the w
ay of Halwyn and Grace. Even though Grace thought she might burst into tears at any moment, she did not miss the way Halwyn protectively placed her hand on his arm, and gave a gentle squeeze. She took a deep breath and blinked her tears away. Simon would never bear witness to her emotions.

  “Another new gown, Grace?” Simon’s scowl moved from her to Halwyn, whose hand tightened over hers. “Don’t you think you’re overdoing things just a bit, Fitzpatrick?”

  “Momentous occasions call for finery, wouldn’t you agree, Simon?”

  He scoffed. “What’s so momentous about this evening? It’s merely dinner in an ostentatious home with a group of people who think of themselves as mightier than God. Nothing to get excited about.”

  “But the evening’s barely begun. Who can predict what’s in store?”

  Simon harrumphed, and Sophie gave Grace her pleading gaze. At least that’s what Grace called the please-don’t-force-the-issue watery stare her mother threw her way. She’d seen the goggled expression more times in the past year than she cared to. Grace did harbor some sympathy for her mother but, if she hadn’t been so frightened of being on her own, none of this nightmare would currently be taking place. And Grace would not have been forced to exercise such extreme measures.

  “Enjoy your meal, Mother,” she replied as she twitched her burgundy skirts out of the way and glided past the pair.

  Grace breathed a sigh of relief when she took her seat. Her mother and Simon were at the other end of the long, elegant, mahogany table. She was surrounded by Fitzpatricks, or spouses and extended families of the Fitzpatricks, on every side. Jasmine and Parr were across from her and Halwyn, Charlotte and George Fitzpatrick were on her right. At the head of the table was Alistair Wickersham, and his lovely wife, Lydia, occupied her customary seat at the opposite end. Charlotte Fitzpatrick turned in her chair and took one of Grace’s hands.

  “Has Halwyn discussed my idea with you, dear?”