Page 43 of I’ve Grown Accustomed to My Scot

“I might be anybody,” she said. The idea that she could walk amongst others and be unrecognized was very appealing. She wished she had thought to wear a mask before.

When she came downstairs to show Prudence and Harriet, they jumped up with exclamations of delight. “Grace, you are beautiful!” was one of the cries, as if they had never imagined she could look so fine. Grace decided it was good for them to see a woman dressed well instead of in shabby hand-me-downs. That life wasn’t always about scrimping and saving, but sometimes it was about having fun.

“You must enjoy every moment of it!” Prudence informed her as if she were completely grown up.

“Yes, and you must tell us all about it,” Harriet added.

She promised to do so, hugged them goodbye, and then Rory was leading her to the coach, and the Mayfair house faded into the distance.

“Jennie will make sure they do not sit up and wait for you,” Rory’s voice came from the dim corner opposite her.

“Oh.” She wasn’t sure what to say to that, other than that her husband had read her mind.

“This night is for the two of us,” he added, making sure she understood.

“Oh.”

“I’ve missed you,” he went on, sounding slightly awkward. “I understand why you have been busy. I’m not saying I am sulking because my wife does not pay me enough attention, but I didn’t realize until now how much I have grown to look forward to your company, Grace.”

It was flattering, and she smiled at him warmly. “It has been a difficult time for us all,” she said. “I am sure my sisters will begin to settle soon. When we have somewhere of our own to live and—”

He cut her short. “Here we are,” he said, as the coach drew to a halt.

Vauxhall Gardens were known as a place of pleasure, with pavilions set up for viewing the various entertainments, and the sprawling gardens with their narrow walkways and secret arbors. Tonight, the masked ball was well attended. Rory and Grace wandered about, commenting on the other guests and the music.

“Do you recognize anyone?” she asked him.

“No, but that is a good thing,” he said, with a grin. Rory was wearing a black mask also covering half of his face, but she thought the color of his hair made it obvious who he was. To her, anyway.

They danced several dances, ignoring the other couples, just enjoying being together. Grace felt her tension begin to ease. Rory was right—she had needed this. She had needed him. His arms holding her close, the whisper of his breath against her temple, and the rumble of his laugh in her ear when they saw something that amused them.

Could it always be like this? How wonderful it would be to know they shared their need for each other. Their desire. Their love.

Because she did love him. There was no point in denying it. She wanted to stay with him for the rest of their lives and grow old with him. She wanted it so much her heart ached. But she did not know what Rory wanted. Sometimes it seemed he wanted the same, and at other times . . . He was not an easy man to understand.

There was supper in one of the pavilions, and they ate while watching the comings and goings of the crowd. At one point Rory was sure he saw Lord Kilsyth, but if it was his friend, he did not wave to them.

“But what would he be doing here?” Grace asked, sipping her champagne.

“I don’t know,” Rory said. “He misses his wife.”

They shared a puzzled look. “Do you think he is looking for a replacement?” Grace asked. “He seems lonely. He must be.”

“I’m no’ sure one can find a replacement for the love of one’s life.”

He sounded solemn and he was looking at her through the mask as if he wanted to say more. Grace’s heart gave a little jump and she waited, but then there was a shout from the crowd and they turned to look at a drunken man weaving through the dancers. Grace thought it looked like Bolton despite his mask, but she didn’t say anything. She did not want to drag up those memories.

“We should walk in the gardens,” Rory said, when they rose from their meal.

“Should we?” Grace looked uncertainly down one of the narrow paths. Although there were lanterns in the trees to show the way, it was still quite dark. “We might be robbed.”

Rory laughed. “They can try.”

He held her close as they made their way amongst the trees and shrubs, breathing in the scent of flowers, and the noise from the pavilions faded. Grace suspected there were other couples hidden away in some of the corners.

“I have missed you,” he said softly, and tipping her chin up, took her mouth in a gentle kiss. “I think I will burst if I canna have you, Grace.”

His kiss had started that tingle in her belly, and an ache between her thighs. She wanted him. “I missed you too,” she admitted breathlessly.