Page 36 of I’ve Grown Accustomed to My Scot

Chapter Eighteen

The carriage ride in the park was one of the happiest moments Grace had experienced for a long time. Jennie had put aside her dark mood and was full of smiles and chatter, and Rory responded with his own wicked laughter and teasing. Grace felt as if she were part of their family. She did not have to say much at all, just enjoyed the moment as they trotted along, pausing now and again so that Jennie could greet her many acquaintances.

There were still the usual horrid stares and whispers behind gloved hands, but Grace was getting better at ignoring them. Perhaps in time they would realize that Grace was respectable after all? Or perhaps not. She could only continue to do as she was doing and hope for the best.

Rory was being very attentive, which made her heart warm, but then once again he spoiled it by leaning in and whispering to her, “That should convince the doubters!”

She managed a smile, but some of her joy drained away, leaving her feeling downhearted now she knew it was all pretense on his part. Which was ridiculous. Because of course it was pretense! Rory might enjoy taking her to his bed, but that didn’t mean he felt more for her than any of those other women—and rumor suggested there had been a lot of them. He was kind, she knew that much, and she trusted him to protect her from Ormsby, but as for allowing herself to fall in love with him?

That must never happen, even if she had the uncomfortable feeling it was already too late.

But right now she didn’t want to think of that, not when she had quite enough to deal with.

Jennie was much cheerier when they turned for home. She said, with a firm set to her jaw, that she would write a reply to her husband’s letter and tell him all about her enjoyable ride in the park. “I will make him jealous,” she said with a grin.

Rory and Grace exchanged a glance as they wondered what else Jennie might do to make James jealous.

Just as well Kilsyth wasn’t visiting them this afternoon. He had suggested that he and Rory meet up at Gentleman Jackson’s Boxing Club to watch some of the gentlemen sparring, while Grace was happy to spend some time on her own. The modiste was coming again, to add some finishing touches to her latest gown.

But when they reached home, they discovered there had been an invitation delivered for a ball the following evening. A single invitation should not have caused so much excitement in a household, but it did. Jennie, her eyes sparkling, declared it was sure to be the first of many more.

“The Fotheringhams are not top drawer, but they are well thought of,” she said. “Is the name familiar to you, my dear?”

Grace didn’t think so.

“Well, whatever their reason for inviting you to their ball, I am grateful. There will be the usual gossips, but you and Rory must show everyone you are not afraid of what they say. It is the only way to deal with bullies.”

“You are right,” Grace said, as if she was trying to convince herself.

Jennie patted her hand. “Dance as many dances as you can together. Enjoy yourselves!”

Grace shot Rory a mischievous look. “Can you dance?”

Rory made a rude noise. “Of course I can dance, wife!”

Grace had always enjoyed dancing so she was glad to hear it. Even if no one else asked her, she would have Rory as her partner.

“We’ll show them,” he said, his blue eyes bright.

Jennie’s eyes brightened too. “You MacKenzies always rise to a challenge.”

Grace supposed she was a MacKenzie now. It made her feel somewhat braver about the ordeal that faced her, and she straightened her back in preparation for the battle ahead.

*

It was the following evening and the time had come to dress for the ball. Jennie supervised her outfit, and when she was ready, Grace examined herself critically in the mirror. The cream color of the dress showed off her dark hair and eyes, and there were minimal bows or lace, so it wasn’t as fussy as some of her new gowns. The plainer style suited her. She had all the appearance of an elegant young woman who belonged in the best houses in London—very different from the shabbily dressed creature who had first come to marry Rory.

She even felt a stirring of excitement at the thought of being at a ball with Rory, dancing and enjoying herself. What did it matter what other people thought and said? She had her whole life ahead of her, and she wanted to fill it with future joy rather than past mistakes.

“Rory gave me something for you,” Jennie said, and passed her a long case that looked as if it held jewelry.

Surprised, Grace took it and opened it carefully. Inside, nestling in velvet, was a string of creamy pearls to match her dress, with the addition of a diamond pendant. She stared in amazement. “Oh! Are you sure this is for me?”

Jennie frowned as if a little irritated. “Good heavens, my dear, who else would it be for? Now let us see how it looks on you.” She took the necklace and fastened it about Grace’s neck and then stood back to examine the effect in the long mirror. Grace stared back at her own reflection. The diamond pendant caught the light from the lamp, the weight of it heavy between her breasts.

She had never had anything like this given to her before. Ormsby was too mean to buy jewelry, even for his wife, and when Grace’s mother died, whatever she had owned was put in trust for her two younger daughters.

Suddenly the worrying thought occurred to her that perhaps Rory wasn’t actually giving this to her but that he was just lending it to her because he wanted her to look nice for the ball. Maybe she was meant to return it? She knew he was kind, but she shouldn’t read too much into his actions or she would only be disappointed.