Chapter14
Grace tried hard to concentrateon the garden design, but her mind was in a state of turmoil. Mr. Wallings had not come to see her for almost a fortnight. Oh, she saw him at Sunday services, where he was cordial, but he was cordial with everyone. She’d also visited him at the parish hall to welcome the children on their first day of school, but he’d seemed more aloof than ever. She had tried to engage him in conversation, but his answers were monosyllabic. She left after an hour, but when she looked back, she saw the most troubled look on his face.
What was that about?
Had she done something to offend him?
She tried to remember every detail since the last time they’d seen each other in private, but nothing stood out. She was at a loss to understand his sudden standoffishness.
She was so confused and hurt. Why would he ask Jacob for permission to court her and then suddenly avoid her company? It made no sense. How could he have gone from kissing and courting her to… Had he changed his mind? Did he no longer wish to court her? Her heart plummeted into her stomach. She took a careful breath around the weight of it. Well… there wasn’t much she could do if he had, but at the very least, she deserved to know why, or what she’d done to put him off.
Although it wasn’t proper, Grace made up her mind that after she finished consulting with Mr. Clifford on another idea shehad for the garden, she would make the trek to the vicarage and find out once and for all why Mr. Wallings had stopped calling on her.
“Miss Parker?” Mr. Clifford said. “I don’t think I quite understand your vision for this corner.”
“I know. I apologize for being so confusing. I shall return momentarily. It will be easier if I can draw what I prefer.”
Mr. Clifford nodded. “Very good, Miss Parker,” he said and continued to prune the dead blooms off the rose bushes.
Grace walked back into the drawing room to find a quill and paper so she could sketch exactly what she wanted in that corner. After reading the Red books with Kathryn, she had some new ideas she wanted to implement.
She went to the desk at the far end of the drawing room, hoping there would be writing supplies there, as it would save her a trip to her bedchamber. She started pulling open the drawers and found that, unfortunately, most of them were empty. When she tried to open the bottom drawer on the right, it became stuck. She could neither open it fully nor close it again and thought it strange that this last one seemed to have a much smaller interior compartment than the others.
“What could be blocking it?” She could just barely get her hand in the opening, and she began feeling around for the culprit preventing the drawer from opening fully. She ran her fingers along the edge, and then she heard it.
Click.
The drawer popped open to reveal a small, hidden space along the inside where a stack of letters tied with a blue ribbon was concealed. “What is this?” she mumbled as she grabbed the letters. The quill and paper were forgotten as she went to the sofa and untied the blue ribbon. There were four letters in the stack. She opened the first one and read.
My darling Mary,
I cannot believe I could be so blessed. You have brought the light back into my heart. I know our love is forbidden, but perhaps we can find a way to be together.
Always,
Hugh
Forbidden love? That didn’t sound like the mother she knew. Her mother had never mentioned anyone by the name of Hugh before. Who was this mysterious gentleman? Had she met him before she married Papa?
She opened the next letter.
My darling Mary,
I cannot stop thinking of you. Your beautiful face fills my mind and haunts my dreams. I understand your dilemma, but sometimes fate has other paths we must follow. Please think about what I asked. It is indeed a difficult decision to make, but I hope you will ultimately decide in our favor.
Always,
Hugh
Grace was flabbergasted. What was going on? Who was this Hugh? She had the vague idea that their neighbor, the Earl of Berkeley, might have Hugh as his Christian name, though shecouldn’t think where she might have heard it. Was he the Hugh in the letters? Was that why the earl had thought Audrey was their mother?There were no dates on the letters, so she had no idea when they were written. This was opening up a whole new side of her mother that she had never suspected.
She opened the next letter.
My darling Mary,
My heart soars with happiness at your decision. I promise you, we will have the most wonderful life together. I’m working on all the arrangements and will contact you when they’re finalized. Soon, my darling, we will be together, and I will be the happiest man in all of England.
Always my love,