Seduced by His Touch(33)

"What is that!" Without stopping to think, Grace grabbed her friend's  hand and yanked it down to eye level. "Is that what I think it is?  Mallory, are you engaged?"

Mallory's eyes brightened, her skin pinking a bit as she gave a little nod. "Yes. He asked last night."

"Oh, how wonderful! I knew the major wouldn't make it through the holiday without a proposal."

"You're right. He didn't. But I promised we'd wait until later to say  anything, since he has yet to speak to Edward. Drat, I know I shouldn't  have this on, but I couldn't resist."

"Shouldn't have what on?" interrupted Jack's deep voice, a pair of  filled glasses balanced in his hands. "What the devil's that rock doing  on your finger, Pell-Mell?"

Quickly, Mallory buried her palm against her skirt. "Nothing. Mind your own business, Jack Byron."

"A stone like that on my little sister's finger sounds exactly like my  business. Good Lord, Hargreaves did it, didn't he?" Jack set down the  drinks on a nearby table.

"Who did what?" inquired India Byron.

Lithe and dark, she was one of the many cousins come to visit for the  holiday. She held a small wrapped gift in her hand, the attached tag  flipped around to display Grace's name. "Did I hear something about an  engagement? Oh, Mallory, are you getting married too?" India, who was  only recently engaged herself, let out an excited whoop.                       
       
           


///
       

Eyes turned her way from all corners of the room.

The dowager duchess rose to her feet, her interest now obviously piqued.  While not far distant stood the Duke of Weybridge-India's tall, dark,  enigmatic fiancé. Unconcealed amusement shown on his compelling face, as  though he were well-used to such exuberant outbursts from his new  betrothed.

This situation, Grace realized, is rapidly getting out of control.

Suddenly Major Hargreaves appeared at Mallory's side. Reaching down a  hand, he helped her to her feet. "I knew you wouldn't be able to keep  this to yourself," Grace heard him whisper.

"I'm sorry, Michael," she said. "I know I shouldn't have worn the ring, but I simply couldn't resist."

"Not to worry. I just finished talking to your brother. All is well."

"You didn't talk to this brother," Jack said.

Hargreaves met his gaze with a startled one of his own. "I didn't realize I needed to."

Jack crossed his arms and stared.

"However, in the interest of maintaining good family relations," the  major continued, "I shall be perfectly happy to oblige. My lord, may I  have the honor of your sister's hand in marriage?"

"Do you love her?"

Hargreaves cast a glance at Mallory. "Yes. Very much."

"And what if I said no? What would you do then?"

The major's blond brows furrowed, his jaw tightening. "I'd be sorry for it, but I'd marry her regardless."

Moments passed, the two men locked in a silent battle of wills.

Abruptly, Jack grinned. "If you'd said anything else, I'd have refused  and told Edward to take back his consent as well." He offered a hand.  "Welcome to the family. I hope you know what you're in for."

Hargreaves grinned back. "I believe I have a reasonable idea."

As though they'd been friends forever, the major slapped his palm into Jack's for a hearty, good-natured handshake.

Mallory rolled her eyes. "Men."

Grace met her gaze and gave a nod of agreement.

Soon after, Ava Byron joined the fray, Edward arriving not long after.

"Now, what is going on over here?" the dowager demanded, clearly  determined to be let in on the secret. Once she was, Ava let out a cry  of gladness at the news and hugged her daughter. "Well, it's about time,  young man," she told the major once she eased away from Mallory. "I was  beginning to wonder if you were just toying with my girl."

"Not at all, ma'am," Hargreaves assured her. "No toying whatsoever."

Quickly realizing that everyone else in the room was curious as well,  silence was called for so that the major and Mallory could publicly  announce their happy news. The instant they did, the engaged couple  found themselves surrounded by well-wishers.

And Grace found herself squeezed out, forced to abandon her formally  cozy seat rather than battle the sudden onslaught. Jack, she realized,  had been forced out as well, and was lost somewhere in the mass of  family and friends.

From the safety of a less crowded section of the room, she was searching  for Jack when she caught sight of Adam Gresham instead. Standing alone  near the doorway, Gresham was watching the ongoing tableau. She'd had a  chance to speak to him at length the other night at dinner and had found  him immensely charming and cheerful. But there was nothing cheerful in  his expression now. His face was solemn and a shade too pale, his eyes  stark with desolation.

Glancing back, she looked to see which of the ladies he was watching,  telling herself he must be observing someone other than Mallory. She was  considering and discarding possibilities when Jack came up behind her  and slid an arm around her waist.

"There you are," he declared in a throaty murmur. "For a moment I thought you'd disappeared."

She shook her head. "No. Just needed a bit more breathing room."

His lips turned up in a seductive grin. "It has grown impossibly crowded  in here. What would you think if we went looking for even more  breathing room somewhere else in the house. Unless you still want that  milk punch, that is?"

A pleasant shiver traced over her skin. "But what if someone notices we're gone?"

"In this crowd? I think we're safe until nuncheon, which is a good three hours away."

"But it's still morning. What if my maid comes in?"

"Ah, sweetheart, you should have a bit more faith in my inventive  nature. I grew up in this house, remember? I know all sorts of places  where we will most definitely not be disturbed."

She gave him a severe look, even though her insides were turning to mush  at the notion of trysting someplace besides the bedroom. "As I said  once before, Jack Byron, you are a very wicked man."                       
       
           


///
       

A laugh rumbled in his throat, his eyes gleaming like a sunlit sea. "But you wouldn't have me any other way."

To her consternation, she realized he was right. Offering not the slightest resistance, she let him lead her to the door.





Chapter 16





Five evenings later, Grace hummed a little tune under her breath as she  slipped into a robe and tied the belt at her waist. She'd dismissed her  maid a few minutes ago, sending the girl on her way with a pleasant  good-night. Then she'd waited, counting the minutes until she figured it  was safe to proceed with her plan.

Or rather her surprise.

Usually she climbed into bed to lie warm and snug beneath the covers  while she waited for Jack to sneak down the hall and join her. But today  was his birthday and she wanted to do something extra special to  celebrate. What better way, she decided, than to be waiting for him in  his room when he came up to bed?

Mercy, what a wanton I've become, she decided, wondering what had become  of the shy young woman she'd once been. No doubt the poor thing had  expired, killed by an excess of carnal bliss at the hands of a  thoroughly libidinous scoundrel. A scoundrel she now loved to  distraction and couldn't wait to marry.

Only six more days and she would be his bride. Just six more days and  they would be free to share a marriage bed with no further necessity for  subterfuge. But for now she would need to content herself with stolen  kisses and secret late-night rendezvouses. And really she didn't mind  the intrigue-so long as they didn't get caught.

When she'd left Jack downstairs forty-five minutes ago, he'd been on his  way to play billiards and share a bottle of vintage Scotch with his  brothers and a few of the other men. She hoped they didn't keep him up  all night, or else she was in for a very disappointing evening. Then  again, Jack had to sleep sometime, so with enough patience, her surprise  would still work fine.

Buoyed by the knowledge, she crossed to her door and cracked it open to  make sure the corridor was clear. Praying she wouldn't bump into anyone  along the way, she hurried down the hall.

To her relief, she made it inside Jack's bedchamber without incident.  She was even more relieved to find the room empty, his valet nowhere in  sight. She'd been prepared to offer the servant some excuse about  needing to talk to Jack regarding the wedding, but she was glad to find  the precaution unnecessary.

Realizing Jack must have sent the man to his quarters for the evening,  she relaxed and strolled deeper into the room. A fire was burning  cheerfully in the grate, a few lighted candles illuminating the  appealing décor that was done in rich, masculine shades of cream and  brown.