Seduced by His Touch(26)

"Very wise. And I like your new freckles. They're absolutely adorable,  just like you." Leaning forward, he took her lips in a sweet kiss that  lingered far longer, and became far more intense, than he intended.

With a reluctant sigh, he forced himself away, wishing he could pull her  onto his lap instead. If they weren't in his coach on the way to see  her father, he would have done exactly that. But now was not the time to  start something amorous, since they were due to arrive in the city in a  short while.

Leaning back into the corner, he crossed his arms. "I sent a note to my  mother and Edward at Braebourne asking if they could travel to Town for a  few days," he said. "I didn't mention why, just said I had some happy  news I wanted to share in person."

"I did the same last night with Papa. He knows I'm coming home, but not the particulars."

Danvers was smart; Jack was sure the crafty old man knew precisely why.  However, if Grace hadn't mentioned him in her letter to her father,  perhaps the suspense was killing Danvers even now and he was wondering  if Jack had been successful in his courtship. Jack just hoped Danvers  didn't turn too conspicuously smug at his victory once he learned for  sure that Jack was the reason for her return home.

Grace deserved better. At the very least, she ought to be spared the  knowledge that she was being used as her father's unsuspecting pawn. And  his own as well. I will do my damnedest to make sure she never learns  the truth, he pledged, for both our sakes.

Not long after, the city rose around them, streets teeming with noise  and life as people went about their daily business. Before long, they  arrived in St. Martin's Lane, Jack jumping down to assist Grace from the  coach.                       
       
           


///
       

"Ready?" he asked, offering his arm.

She glanced first at the town house, then at him, smiling as she met his gaze. "Never more."

The front door was opened by a servant, and in they walked.





The house feels different, Grace mused, as she took off her gloves and  hat and exchanged greetings with the butler. Or maybe I'm the one who's  different? Not surprising, she supposed, considering how much her life  had changed in the few short weeks since she'd been away.

Casting another sideways glance at Jack, she wondered at his unusually  solemn mien. But then there was no more time for further speculation, as  he took her arm and quietly suggested she lead the way to her father.

At this time of day, she knew she would find Papa in his study, likely  bent over his ledgers and reports. She stopped just outside the closed  door and turned to Jack. "Perhaps I should go in first."

One mahogany brow arched upward. "You aren't expecting him to object, are you?"

"No," she said, though she honestly didn't know what to expect, given  Papa's sometimes irascible humor. He might be delighted. Then again, he  might not.

"Good. Then we'll go in together," he stated in a determined, almost  protective tone. "You're mine now, with or without your father's  blessing."

Her pulse fluttered, a warm glow spreading through her that made her  want to bury herself in his arms. Instead, she drew a breath, then  rapped her knuckles in a quick one-two on the door.

"Come," called her father in his usual gruff rumble.

"Papa, it's me. I'm home," she announced, as she walked inside.

Ezra Danvers looked up from where he sat at his heavy oak desk, piled  high with ledgers and correspondence. His grey brows furrowed over the  rims of his wire-framed reading glasses. "Gracie? Is that ye, girl?"  Tossing aside his quill pen, he sprang to his feet and hurried around.  Catching her close, he gave her an exuberant hug and a kiss on both  cheeks. "If you'd told me what time to expect you, I'd have been waiting  at the front door."

She laughed and hugged him in return. Stepping back, she found herself  next to Jack, who cupped a steadying hand around her elbow. As he did,  her father shifted his gaze toward him. "And who might this be, Gracie? I  didn't know we had company."

The two men exchanged looks, their expressions curiously enigmatic in a  way she couldn't quite define. Perhaps they were taking each other's  measure, as men were sometimes wont to do. Likely Jack was considering  his first impression of his future father-in-law, while her father was  speculating about the identity of this stranger she'd invited into his  home. But Jack wouldn't be a stranger for long. Soon he would be family.

"Papa, allow me to introduce Lord John Byron to you. Jack and I met in  Bath and have spent the past few weeks becoming acquainted. We are … that  is … we are here today with happy news we wish to share."

Her father glowered. "What sort of happy news? Just who are you, sir, to  have so obviously ingratiated yourself with my daughter?"

"Papa!"

He ignored her, his gazed fixed on Jack. "Well, what have you to say for yourself, young man?"

Jack's mouth curled with sardonic amusement. "Good day, I suppose, for a  start. That and to express my wish that you relieve Grace's mind by  granting your consent for our nuptials. You see, your daughter has  recently done me the honor of agreeing to be my wife, and I am most  determined to have her."

"Are you now?" Her father crossed his arms over his chest. "And what  makes you think I would entrust my only child to your care?"

Jack sent him a piercing look. "Because I'm amply equipped to provide  for her comfort and safety. But even more, I'll do my utmost to make her  happy. What else can you require?"

Her father stared for a long moment before turning again to her. "And  what have you to say about this? You've told me plenty of times in the  past that you weren't interested in trading your independence for a  fancy title. Has the word lord before his name given you a new set of  ideals?"

She flushed. "No, not at all. His title matters not-well, not to  me-although given your opinions, I should think you'd be pleased to know  that a duke's son wishes to take me to wife."

"A duke's son, eh? But not a duke's heir, is he?"

"No, and thank heavens. I have no desire to live such an elevated existence. Being a lord's wife will be difficult enough."

"Nothing could ever be too far above you." Something intense gleamed in his gaze. "Is he truly what you want?"                       
       
           


///
       

Her chest squeezed, her eyes lifting to meet Jack's vivid azure gaze.  "Yes. With all my heart," she declared, reaching out for his hand. "I  love him, and nothing would make me happier than to spend my life at his  side." She looked again at her father. "And although I would much  prefer receiving your blessing, I will have him regardless of your  approval. So what say you, Papa? Will you wish us well or not?"

He stared for another long moment before his glower vanished, a hearty  smile taking its place. "Of course, I'll wish you well! Come, come, give  me a hug, both of you. That's what children and parents are meant to  do."

Laughing, Grace hurried into his arms for another long, strong embrace.  He and Jack ended up shaking hands, which was a good enough beginning,  she supposed.

The three of them talked for several minutes, Grace recounting the  highlights of her trip to Bath-or at least the ones that didn't make  reference to any of her and Jack's intimate interludes. She also passed  along well-wishes and news from Aunt Jane.

After a while, her father stood and gently ushered her to the door.  "Now, why don't you go on upstairs to your room? You must be fatigued  from your journey."

"Not terribly, though I could do with a repast. Why don't I ring for tea for all of us?"

"Tea would be wonderful. Later. First, however, I should like a private word with Byron here."

She frowned. "A private word about what?"

Her father laughed. "Always the inquiring mouse, aren't you? We're just  going to discuss the basics of your settlement, that's all. Not to  worry, I'll have him back to you in a trice."

"Yes, but-"

"Surely you don't wish to listen in on such tedious matters?"

Actually, settlement negotiations did sound boring in the extreme.  Nevertheless, for reasons she couldn't quite fathom, she didn't feel  entirely comfortable leaving the two men alone. Knowing she was being  ridiculous, though, she shrugged the sensation away. Considering her and  Jack's upcoming marriage, she was sure the two men would have many  private discussions, maybe even ones of a father-son nature. She  certainly hoped as much.

"Very well, Papa. An hour then? Will that do?"