Page 61 of The Trouble with a Dare

She watched with pleasure as her father spoke warmly to Sterling. “I’ve been hearing great things about you, Sterling,” he said, clapping his son-in-law on the back. “And I’ve heard a rumour about an excellent beer. Care to wet the baby’s head?”

Sterling laughed and nodded, promising her father a drink later in the day. It was a little early for beer with a kick like a mule.

“More visitors, Mrs Oak,” Mrs Gladwish announced breathlessly from the doorway. “Mr and Mrs Stanhope, Miss Evie Knight, Lady St Clair, and Lady Catherine Barrington.”

“Grace!” little Cat cried, running into the room carrying a large box. She dropped the box on the floor and ran to hug Grace. “Oh, I’m so pleased it was a little girl. Is she here? May I see her? I brought her a gift from my parents. Oh, and something for you too,” she said, beaming with excitement.

Grace laughed at her exuberance and hugged her back. “Yes, darling. Look, over there with my Mama. If you ask nicely, she might let you hold her.”

Cat gave a little yip of happiness and hurried off.

“Darling,” Florence said, hurrying to her and taking her hands. “My, but how well you look. I thought you might look like a wet dish cloth after such an ordeal, but you are positively glorious.”

Grace laughed at this effusive praise and squeezed Florence’s hand, tugging her to sit down beside her on the settee. “As do you. I think married life agrees with you, Flo.”

Florence blushed and looked smug. “It does, actually,” she said, before turning back to Grace, more serious now. “And you, dearest?”

“Very much,” Grace whispered. “He’s… Oh, Florence, I’m so very lucky.”

“He’s the lucky one,” Florence said staunchly, before catching sight of her sister Evie gazing down at Betty. “Oh, no you don’t Evie. It’s my turn for a cuddle first, hands off.”

Before too long, her mother and father said they would leave the new family in peace and return for another visit later in the afternoon, as they did not want to tire her out. Despite her protests that she was quite well, they left, walking back to Holbrook, where they were staying. Henry, Florence, and Evie followed shortly after, leaving only Cat and Lady St Clair, who was holding Betty and looking loath to let her go.

“Oh, I do love babies,” she said with a sigh. “I hope you will come and visit us often. I should so enjoy it. You know Jasper and I love to have children in the house. We had always hoped for more ourselves, but… ah, well, not to be. We were so lucky with Cassius, and we love all our extended family so much, so we fill the old place with their children instead, and hopefully there will be grandchildren soon,” she added, with such a sparkle in her eye Grace could only smile and hope that Lottie and Cass gave her a dozen grandchildren to dote on.

“I think Lottie wants a big family, like her own,” she said.

Lady St Clair laughed and nodded. “Well, she’s certainly from good breeding stock, what with seven brothers and sisters, and I shall deny saying that if you ever repeat it.”

Grace chuckled and promised to hold her tongue.

“May I give her the box now, Lady St Clair?” Cat asked, her expression alight with anticipation.

Lady St Clair nodded. “Go on then, before you burst. You did very well to wait this long.”

Cat beamed at her and hurried to carry the box over. “Mama let me come specially so I could bring this to you. For everyone said it wasn’t fair that you’d never got your chance, and though you already married, it doesn’t matter. You should still get a go.”

“A go?” Grace queried, perplexed.

“Yes,” Cat exclaimed. “You need a go, even if you are married, because it’s not just about finding a mate, but about friendship and finding the courage to be oneself,” she said gravely, clearly reciting what she’d been told.

Grace stared at her blankly as Cat took the lid off the box with a flourish. “Voila, the hat!”

“Oh, good heavens,” Grace said, laughing now as all became clear. “A dare? You want me to take a dare?”

“Yes, of course. You must take one,” Cat said, her brow puckering at the idea Grace might not do it. “Please, Grace.”

Grace looked at Lady St Clair, who smiled at her. “You’re a Daring Daughter, aren’t you? It’s a rite of passage. Take one. We all did.”

Cat shook the hat in front of her, making all the dares rustle and sigh as if they were impatient too. Grace took a deep breath and sat up straighter. She gave Cat a solemn nod.

“Very well then, if you insist. Here I go,” she said, and plunged her hand into the hat.

Chapter 20

Oak,

Been thinking about that beer of yours. Too good to keep to yourself. We should make plans. It needs a bigger audience.