His Saving Grace (Regency Refuge 1) by Heather Gray Read Free Book Online Page B

dressed and ready for the day. "My grandfather had a sister who never married. She became eccentric in her later years, and I believe she was sent to live out her life there."
    "In exile," Grace said flatly. "Because everyone thought she'd gone mad." So I'm being exiled to an asylum. Why does this not surprise me? He's been telling me I'm cracked for at least the past fifteen years.
    "It's a beautiful place," Thomas said with a wry grin. "I wouldn't mind spending summers there if it weren't so far from London." He glanced up and saw Grace sitting in the middle of the bed, her chemise on and a sheet gathered around her. He cleared his throat and abruptly said, "I'll go find Rupert and see if he's managed to find you something suitable to wear. Get as ready as you can, and I'll hopefully be back straightaway." Sparing a look at the table that held not much more than bread and some now-dried cheese, Thomas added, "We don't have time to eat before we leave, but I'll make sure we take some food with us."
    As he reached for the door, Grace's voice stopped him. "Maybe you could ride in the carriage today. It might be nice to share the space when no one's angry. I'd hate for you to go off to fight Napoleon with more memories of us fighting than of us being friends." I won't let him see my hurt if he says no, but, by all that's good and holy, he'd better say yes.
    Without turning to look at her, Thomas said, "I have a lifetime of good memories with you, Gracie. A few weeks of my bad humor won't tarnish that. If it will make you feel better about things, though, I'll ride with you."
    Once Thomas exited the room, Grace saw to her morning ablutions and did her best to prepare for the day. She pinned her hair into place and was slipping her feet into slippers when Thomas came back in, carrying a blue day dress. "I know it's not a color you normally wear, but it'll have to do for now," he said.
    "It's wonderful! It looks light and refreshing."
    "The air will continue getting colder as we move further north," Thomas said. "There's a pelisse waiting for you in the carriage and another dress packed away in one of your trunks. Unfortunately, there are no other… suitable… clothes in the trunks."
    With a smile, Grace took the dress from him and stepped behind the screen. "Since it's entirely your fault I do not have my trousseau with me, I assume you will be paying for a seamstress to come to Castle Felton and provide me with a wardrobe."
    Laughing, Thomas said, "Right you are, you little minx. I suppose I owe you at least that."
    "At the very least," she said with a smug chuckle.
    From behind the screen, she continued speaking. "We've not discussed money at all. I've no idea what kind of allowance I will have, what the budget for the house is, none of that. I know it's not normally done to talk with one's wife about such things, but do you think you can explain it all to me today?"
    Grace came around the edge of the screen, holding the dress in place with her hands as she approached Thomas. Turning her back to him, she asked, "Can you please button me?" She had decided to forego the corset today and hoped Thomas's silence didn't mean he was offended by that.
    He still hadn't answered her question by the time he finished the last button. Grace swung around and gave him a questioning look. "Thomas, do you think we can talk about it today during the carriage ride?"
    "Talk about what?"
    "The estate budget. My allowance. Weren't you listening?" Grace examined him closely to see if anything was wrong. Thomas appeared flushed. "Are you feeling all right?" She reached out to touch his forehead and check his temperature. What is it that makes all the men in my life act so peculiarly without warning?
    He dodged her touch, but reached out and cupped her chin in his hand. His voice was slow and deliberate as he said, "I'm fine, Grace." Then he leaned in and kissed her forehead.
    Something had changed in Thomas's expression while she'd been behind the