Wedding In Springtime(57)

"Where are we going?" Genie had a suspicion Grant had brought her to a  secluded place to exchange a kiss or perhaps something more. And why  should he not suspect her willing? She was a fallen lady after all, and  with Grant, she might even be convinced to fall again.

"Place I wish to show you." Despite their secluded location, Grant  maintained the standard of high propriety. Grant opened the stair door  into the hot bustle of the kitchen and led her through to the back door  into Marchford's new garden.

A gentle breeze had blown away much of the London haze, so the moon was  actually visible, wreathed in an ethereal glow. The gardens were indeed a  showpiece, the flowers in bloom, a sweet scent swirling through the  lush greens. New flowering plants had been added to the straight  hedgerows; lavender, lilies, roses, rhododendrons, and violets  brightened the garden.

Grant led her a ways through the garden until they reached the doors  leading back to the ballroom. The music of a country dance floated  through the garden, but thick curtains covered the windows so they  remained unseen. Genie was struck at the intimacy of enjoying the  delights of a ball in the privacy of their own private garden.

"Shall we?" Grant held out a hand and Genie took it. Grant led her in  the steps of the dance until Genie's heart pounded with more than just  the exercise.

Grant gradually moved slower, until his hands encircled her waist and  they embraced, revolving in slow circles. The music had died out and  Genie could no longer hear any sounds from the ball. It was as if  everyone were holding their breath for this moment.

"Mr. Grant, I cannot express enough how grateful I am that you came to  find me, to save me." Genie smiled. "When I was in that cellar, I feared  no one would miss me or care that I had gone."

Grant smiled down at her. "I will always be there to rescue you. Though  with how you handled yourself today, you may be the one rescuing me."         

     



 

"Well," said Genie taking a step back. It was time to gain some distance  or her heart would truly break when it came time to say good-bye.  "Despite how the day started, and all the chaos that ensued, my brother  was saved, and we seem to have escaped without scandal, except for Lady  Louisa and the duke. I do feel sorry we were not able to help their  case, but we did try."

"Indeed we did. Hopeless case from the start."

"Since Louisa was already married, yes indeed. I admit it's more  gumption than I thought she had. I am sorry for the gossip, but I do  wish her every happiness."

"I have a plan to help reduce the gossip."

"Do you? I wish you well in it. You are very clever."

Grant paused with a rueful smile. "I have been called many things, but clever? Not that."

"Oh, but you are!"

Grant shook his head. "Trouble with you is that you only see what you  wish to see. I have never in my life met a woman as artless as you. I  thought I knew women, but indeed, I either know nothing of your gender  or you are a new sort of breed altogether."

Genie suppressed a grin. "I believe I can assure you I am a female."

"Yes, yes, of that we have proof, much to my enduring shame."

Genie's smile faded. "Do you regret our …  err, last night?"

"Indeed I do!" Grant spoke with feeling. "If I had been anything but  deeply, most vilely drunk, I would have marched you home immediately."

"I am sorry," said Genie in a small voice, her hands clasped before her.

"Well, you should be. You have ruined me. Utterly ruined. I used to have  a reputation, a certain notoriety about Town, and now since meeting  you, everything I once was has been wrenched from me. I can look at  nothing the same way. I have feelings in my chest I cannot recognize.  And now this!" Grant took a small flask from his interior coat pocket  and thrust it at her.

"A flask?" asked Genie meekly.

"Drink it!" he demanded.

"But I don't drink-"

"Drink it, I say!"

Genie thought Grant in a strange humor and decided it best to oblige  him. She took a sip and swirled the tart contents around her mouth.  "Lemonade?"

"Lemonade!" he declared savagely. "And I lay the blame for my downfall entirely at your feet."

"I suppose I should say I am sorry?"

"But you are not, I see. You have ruined me utterly and completely and  rejoice in your success." If Grant was jesting with her, he did not look  it. He was agitated, perspiration on his brow. Even locked in the  cellar he had not appeared in such distress.

"Do not worry yourself over me. I shall return home soon, there can be no doubt of that."

"No, no you will not. You will not be returning to your parents' home any time soon."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean … " Grant paused and wiped his brow with a handkerchief. He took a  deep breath as if searching for courage and took Genie's hands in his.  "What I mean is … " A candle flickered in the window, which seemed to  agitate him even more. "No time. Must show you."

Grant pulled Genie into his arms and kissed her, softly at first, then  harder, with more urgency. Genie wrapped her hands around his neck and  leaned into him for stability when her knees turned weak. Grant may have  his shortcomings, but the art of kissing did not count among them.  Genie pressed closer and returned the kiss until her toes curled.

With a sudden flash, they were bathed in light and the sound of a  collective gasp shattered her ears. Genie pulled back to see the shocked  faces of her aunt, uncle, brother George, and a veritable who's who of  London society. She had done it now. She was utterly ruined.

Grant never took his eyes from her. He got down on one knee and took her  by the hand. "Miss Talbot, you are the most amazing woman of my  acquaintance. I thought my life complete, but it was nothing but a mere  sketch. You have given my life color. Would you do me the greatest honor  and consent to be … " Grant paused and swallowed compulsively. "If you  would consent to be …  that is to say."

The crowd began to titter and crept closer. Grant glanced at the crowd  and immediately turned his head away. "My mother and sisters have  returned," he whispered to the ground.

"You do not have to do this," whispered Genie, squeezing his hand.

"Yes, yes I do." Grant looked up, meeting her eyes. He cleared his  throat and said in a voice loud enough to be heard in the parlor, "Genie  Talbot, will you marry me?"

A wave of something hot washed through her and wrenched her breath away. She was frozen, unable to respond, unable to breathe.         

     



 

Grant squeezed her hand, concern growing in his eyes. "Say yes," he mouthed to her, "please."

Genie shook her head. "I never meant to trap you," she whispered.

Grant stood and clutched her shoulders, drawing her close. "My dear girl, it is I who have trapped you. Please be my bride."

Genie smiled; she could not help it. How could she say anything but, "Yes!"

Grant reached into his pocket and produced a ring. It was a very old and  unusual ring, made of three strands of metal plaited together, gold,  silver, and steel. "This ring has been handed down in my family for  generations. It is only to be given to one's true love." Though his  voice was strong, his fingers trembled when he put the ring on her  finger. "Genie, you are my one true love."

Grant drew her close for another kiss even as the crowd began to cheer.  At first, Genie clamped her jaw shut, self-conscious to be kissed before  strangers, but within seconds, Grant's soft lips made her forget they  were being watched.

"William, my dear boy, my dear boy!" cried a woman with emotion heavy in her voice.

Genie broke from him at the words that could only be from Grant's  mother. Genie's heart raced faster with anticipation of censure. What  must his mother think of her?

"Mother, may I present my soon-to-be bride, Miss Eugenia Talbot."

Mrs. Grant was an attractively plump woman with rosy cheeks. She beamed first at her son, then at Genie.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Grant," said Genie.

"Oh, but I must kiss you too!" Mrs. Grant gave Genie a warm hug and a  kiss on the cheek. "Welcome to the family, my dear. How is it I have  never met you?"

"Genie is visiting her aunt, Lady Bremerton," supplied Grant.

"How beautiful you are, my dear. Oh, I love you already!" Mrs. Grant  smiled at Genie. "We must sit somewhere and you will tell me how you  induced my darling boy to propose."

"Yes, but first let me make introductions." Grant introduced Genie to  his father and several sisters. Genie smiled and shook hands and felt  much like she was standing in the middle of a wonderful but befuddling  dream.

"Genie!" George ran up and gave her a huge hug. "I am so happy for you!"