Marcello & Grace (Royals of Valleria #2) by Marianne Knightly Read Free Book Online

in its wake.
     
    Deciding that an hour or so working in the gardens would be perfect exercise for her, she dressed in old jeans and boots, and a simple t-shirt that covered her to her elbows. She grabbed a ridiculously large straw hat that made her feel silly but happy, and headed out.
     
    The house was quiet on her way down the stairs. A few of the servants were milling about, cleaning and setting the dining room for breakfast. After a few words with the housekeeper and butler, she made her way through the house and exited out the back.
     
    There was a slight chill in the air and Grace rubbed her arms again as she made her way to the gardener’s shed on the far side of the lawn. She walked past rows of trimmed hedges and banks of flowers, their colours now fading with the summer. The trees, which lined small paths created for walking centuries ago, were slowing gaining colour and losing leaves. Winter would be here before she knew it.
     
    She always used to hate it when winter was near. Winter used to mean months stuck in the house alone with Daniel. She was never really allowed out in the winter.
     
    As she greeted the gardener and went to get some gloves and tools from the large gardening shed, she wondered when she would stop comparing everything and every man to Daniel. He’s not alive anymore , she reminded herself again. She could go anywhere and see anything she damn well chose, even in the winter.
     
    “Lovely morning, isn’t it?” a male voice said.
     
    With a gasp, she swung around, a spade in one hand and a trowel in the other.
     
    Marcello held up both hands in front of him. “I come unarmed,” he joked, but she sagged back and took a few quick breaths.
     
    “You startled me,” she said, her voice a little unsteady. Damn him for making her afraid, she thought as anger bloomed within her. “Don’t do that,” she snapped.
     
    To his credit, he didn’t bite back. He simply put his hands down and said, very calmly, “I’m sorry. Truly. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
     
    For some reason, as she gazed into his dark brown eyes, she felt as though she could trust him. Grace, who had become so used to not trusting men, felt uncomfortable and just a little bit foolish at her outburst.
     
    “No, I’m sorry,” she said as she released the tools and they clattered onto a workbench. “I didn’t mean to be so rude. I just wasn’t expecting either of my guests out this early.”
     
    “I’ve always been an early riser, and I had some work to take care of this morning. After which, I decided a walk would be just the thing.”
     
    He was dressed casually like her in jeans and a shirt, but his clothes clearly weren’t meant for digging in the dirt as hers were. “The fields will be a bit muddy this morning from the rain last night, but the paths should be clear for you.”
     
    “Why don’t you walk with me? That is, if you don’t mind changing your plans for the morning?”
     
    Grace opened her mouth to reply then promptly shut it. It had been so long since a man asked her what she wanted to do rather than telling her, other than her servants. After a few moments deliberation, she decided to turn this into a test for him, and herself. “Why don’t you come with me instead? Your clothes might get a bit dirty, though.”
     
    “The dirtier the better,” he said with satisfied smile and stepped up to her. As she moved instinctually away from him, her back hit the edge of the workbench. She leaned back as he leaned forward and placed one arm beside her.
     
    He was barely two breaths away from her. His face was close, too close. Though he was not touching her, just the nearness of his body to hers had her tensing. She tilted her head up, so that she could see him past the brim of her large hat. Marcello’s eyes briefly dropped to her lips before they took in the workbench behind her. “Why don’t I help you carry everything?” he whispered.
     
    “Yes,” she whispered back, then