Blinded by Grace: Book Five of the Cotillion Ball series (Crimson Romance) (3 page)

He couldn’t help but compare Sophie Huffman’s reaction to that of his own mother when his sisters took to the dance floor in years past. Charlotte had cast a keen eye toward the men who expressed an interest in her daughters. If she didn’t know the gentlemen who seemed most eager, she certainly found out all about them by the next day, to make certain they were suitable candidates for her girls. In fact, she even orchestrated the match between Heather and her now-husband, David. In spite of himself, Halwyn smiled.

Sweet Jesus, he didn’t need a remembrance of the way his mother reacted to her daughters’ suitors to realize there was a vast difference between her and Grace’s mother. All he need do was remember the way his mother had pushed women at him this evening in her attempt to get him married off this year! He hoped she’d be satisfied that he had danced twice with Grace this evening, and would leave him alone for the remainder of the season. One could only hope.

Yes, Sophie Huffman and his mother had two entirely different reactions. Halwyn didn’t understand Sophie’s dour response to her daughter’s success on the dance floor. He’d have to discuss it with his mother in the morning. Maybe he should even enlist Jasmine’s help to find out what was going on, since she and Grace were still friends.

Having a plan of action in place, Halwyn let his mind drift away from Grace. He was restless, and decided to spend a few quiet minutes in the library before ascending the stairs to his bedroom. He sank into a chair, and ran his hand over the fine leather. He lit a cheroot, picked up a book, and began to relax. For some reason, however, Oliver Wendell Holmes’ book on the Breakfast Table Series didn’t capture his interest tonight, and he closed it with a snap. Even the smell of his thin cigar was annoying him this evening. Grinding out his cheroot, he removed his glasses and ran a hand over his eyes as he sat back in his comfortable chair. With his thumb and forefinger, he pushed his hair from his forehead.

His mother was right about one thing. It was well past time for him to move away from the family brownstone and set up residence on his own somewhere. Then he wouldn’t have to prowl the house without making a sound on nights such as this, when sleep eluded him. Maybe what he needed was a different book. Or maybe something from the kitchen. He rose from his chair just as the library door opened and his father walked in.

“Mind if I join you for a smoke, son?”

“Not at all, Father. After all, this is your house.”

George Fitzpatrick slid into a matching chair and lit his pipe before he spoke again. “So your mother’s comments about finding your own place are beginning to get to you, are they?”

Halwyn smiled. “Maybe a little. She’s probably right. I have been far too complacent about finding my own home.”

“I realize it’s a big undertaking. Finding a dwelling you can live in is just the beginning. There’s all the furniture, the decorating, the wall colors, and fabrics for the window curtains. Then there’s hiring the staff to make certain all the doo-dads you’ve just purchased remain sparkling clean. And someone to cook for you. I thank my lucky stars every day that your mother takes care of the house and the servants, so I don’t need to fill my mind with it.”

Halwyn gulped. He hadn’t even considered any of the actual running of a household.

“You’re not making this any easier, Father. And besides, I’d miss having breakfast conversations with little sister Saffron every morning.”

“Well, the answer’s quite simple. You need to find yourself a wife. Someone to deal with the running of a house, and to provide you with little Saffrons of your own.”

“That’s the other part of Mother’s mad plan for me this year, but I can’t abide another evening such as this one. Did you see what she did tonight, foisting women on me as if I were incapable of attracting a woman on my own?”

His father took a long puff on his pipe in order to hide the grin that was playing at his lips. “I did notice one woman you seemed quite interested in. Young Grace Wagner has turned into a lovely lady, hasn’t she?”

Halwyn’s gaze flitted to his father. “She is a superb dancer. That’s why I didn’t mind dancing with her twice tonight. And, you don’t miss anything, do you?”

“All I’m saying is your dances with young Grace were not of your mother’s doing. Yes, I noticed.”

Halwyn continued. “Well, I had to do something. The poor women Mother found for me were as uncomfortable with the situation as I was. And then, when I did dance with Grace, it seemed to make things even more difficult for her. I have a feeling that I did her no favors this evening, even though dancing with her was far more pleasurable than with any of the ladies Mother found for me. Do you have any thoughts on what is happening with her, Simon, and Sophie?”

“No, I don’t, but I must admit that, other than having to deal with Simon monthly when he comes to the bank for Sophie’s stipend, I pay him little mind. Maybe I should examine their holdings at the bank a bit more closely. And maybe you’d better figure out a way to find a wife soon. A wife could take care of getting your new living quarters sorted out for you, so you wouldn’t have to be bothered with it. Besides, unless you find someone soon, your mother will make your life a living hell in the next few months. Tonight was just the beginning.”

Halwyn rose from his chair and groaned. “A new house and a new wife in the same season? I’ll need to give it some more thought, Father. Thank you for the enlightenment.”

• • •

Grace endured her mother’s silence during the carriage ride home from the ball, while Simon glared at her. She was well aware her father’s considerable fortune hung in the balance between them, as if the trust were some huge behemoth, filling up the intimate carriage, sucking all the air from it. Grace struggled to keep her breathing normal. She would not let Simon see her frailty.

He was doing his best to derail her quest to be married, and out from under his rule. Instead of using the generous monthly stipend the trust allowed to lavish new gowns on her so she could put her best foot forward to prospective husbands, he took the money and used it to fuel his gambling habit. No wonder there were not many men willing to step forward and ask her to dance. Much less ask for her hand.

At least, until tonight. Halwyn Fitzpatrick, with his handsome, muscled demeanor, had finally seen her! Who would have guessed a pair of glasses was all he needed to recognize her? But his reaction to her had gone beyond the visual. He’d sensed there was a rift between her and her mother, and he attempted to elevate her status by dancing with her. No one else, in the entire three years she’d been on the market, had bothered to see beyond her worn and outdated clothing. She would not forget his thoughtfulness. Or the feel of his arms around her as they danced, as if they were one. His scent of tobacco and spice would haunt her dreams tonight, as she relived every moment of their time together this evening. She smiled as she thought again of Halwyn asking for a second dance.

“Don’t look so smug, my dear,” her mother whispered from the seat opposite Grace.

“I’m not smug, Mother. Merely happy, for the first time in a long time.” Grace fanned herself in a show of what she hoped was nonchalance. She prayed Simon didn’t notice the slight tremble of her hand.

Simon stared at her from across the carriage. “Do you honestly think any of the men you danced with this evening will ask for your hand? Don’t forget, they’ll need to have my approval first.”

Grace’s chin rose as she glared at her mother and stepfather. When had her mother become such a compliant woman? Simon made things unbearable for both of them. Grace wished, for the millionth time, her mother had used more discretion when she remarried last year. She studied both of them.

“I’m well aware of how unhappy you are that Father’s money has been tied up. But I didn’t dictate the terms of Father’s will and I’m not to blame. I’m tired of being your scapegoat. And it will be my decision, not yours, Simon, if a man asks for my hand.”

Simon’s face turned beet red. Grace was pushing back, perhaps too strongly. It might be a huge mistake, but she believed what she had just said. She was tired of being the reason for Simon’s bitterness. And her newly found spine straightening was partially due to Halwyn and the courtesies he had bestowed on her that evening.

“Watch your tone, missy. Halwyn Fitzpatrick will be reprimanded for his behavior tonight. I may take my business to another bank as a result.”

Grace threw her shoulders back and puffed at Simon in annoyance. “Although I’m sure Halwyn’s bank would survive without your business, it’s not a reality, is it, since Father’s trust is at that bank? And the trust money seems to be all you have at your disposal, despite the fact you go to ‘work’ every day. Import/export business, my foot. You have no job that I can tell. After the trust is dissolved, you can move your funds, such as they are, anywhere you want. But from now until July, the money will stay at National City bank. You will just have to endure it.”

“Hmmph. As I said before, watch your tone. Halwyn has done you no favors tonight.”

Grace folded her hands in her lap and sank back against the squabs in the leather carriage seat. She fished into her beaded reticule and brought out the cream-colored cloth handkerchief Halwyn had presented to her long ago. As she had done for years, she ran the square of cloth back and forth through her fingers as she thought. The years of use and of washing had made the square soft against her skin. She ran a finger over the blue Yale emblem embroidered in one corner. A plan was formulating in her head. One she didn’t want her mother and stepfather to be aware of. She needed to think things through, search for pitfalls, and run potential outcomes in her head before she took action. Grace tamped down her excitement as her plan developed in her mind. There was one way out of her dilemma and she was going to take it. Perhaps Halwyn hadn’t done her any favors tonight. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t.

• • •

Halwyn took his customary seat beside Saffron at breakfast the next morning. Her sunny disposition was usually appealing and brought a smile to his face, but he had heavy issues to discuss with his mother this morning, and Saffron should not have to listen to them. She tried to draw him into her ten-year-old world as she related her achievements from the previous day.

“Nanny Camille and I wrote a story yesterday, Halwyn, about being at a ball. I had a dress with a huge skirt and a tiara on my head.”

“That’s nice, Saffy.” He reached over and patted her on her blonde locks, so similar to his own.

She huffed at him. “And I had fairy wings on my back and all the boys in the room wanted to dance with me and touch my wings.”

“Uh-huh.” Halwyn turned a page in his newspaper, unable to feign an interest. He had more weighty issues this morning.

In her typical childish fashion, Saffron became easily bored when she was not at the center of attention and decided to leave the room in favor of her bedroom and her dollhouse.

“What is wrong with you today, Halwyn?” His mother wasted no time getting to the heart of the situation. “Not only did you totally ignore Saffron, which is not your manner at all, but you haven’t even touched Cook’s delicious cinnamon rolls, after she made them just for you.”

He blinked as he brought his eyes back into focus, and picked up one of the sweet rolls. Taking a bite of the tasty cinnamon bun gave him a moment to think about how best to phrase his question.

“How well do you know Sophie Huffman, Mother?”

“Well enough to know she’s turned into a miserable shrew of a woman since Grace’s father died. Why do you ask?”

“When I noticed Grace last night, I asked her to dance. And her mother’s reaction was extremely strange. At least it seemed so to me. As if she didn’t care for it at all. Especially when, after we danced a second time, other men followed my lead and danced with her, too.”

Charlotte peered at him. “A second time? You danced with her twice in the same evening?”

Halwyn shifted in his chair. “Well, uh, yes, I did. Her entire demeanor shifted when she was near her mother, and I wanted Sophie to see her daughter’s true self.”

Charlotte put her hand over her heart. “My Lord, what were you thinking? You do realize people will now begin to talk about the two of you.”

“I don’t believe so, Mother. For God’s sake, I’ve known her since she was a child.”

“But she’s not a child anymore, Halwyn. Or hadn’t you noticed?”

Halwyn blew out a breath. “Yes, Mother, I did notice. She no longer stutters, and is now a grown woman, the same as Jasmine and Heather. She wears long gowns and pearls.”

His mother’s sudden smile made him uneasy. “So you noticed the pearls, did you? Tell me, Halwyn, was she wearing any perfume?”

“I believe so. Why do you ask?” He didn’t care for the way his mother was tapping her finger against her cheek. Her familiar motion usually meant she was plotting something, and he believed he had just placed himself in her crosshairs. She attempted to hide her smile with her hand, but Halwyn noticed anyway. He grew uncomfortable under his mother’s gaze.

“Do you remember what the scent was?” Charlotte folded her napkin in a grand show of boredom.

“I, uh, believe it was lilac water.”

Charlotte beamed, and Halwyn became even more uncomfortable … especially when she continued the conversation, adopting a casual tone.

“I thought her white gown was quite lovely.”

Halwyn’s quizzical glance skimmed over his mother’s face. “Her gown was lilac, the same as her scent.”

He only thought his mother beamed before. She was positively radiant now.

“You’ll have to come with us to the theater and to other events this season. After all, it is my duty to see that you marry this year.”

“Mother, please. I’m not about to become one of your ‘projects.’ In the first place, your track record hasn’t been really spectacular in the matchmaking department. And second, I don’t need your help finding a partner. I’m more than competent enough to find my own bride.”

She merely gave him a sidelong glance as she rose from the table. “You may not need my help in finding a partner, but you do need my help, Halwyn. I’ll talk to your father about lightening your load during the season, so you can have all the time you need.”