Hugh
Had her mother had a secret lover? She’d never known her mother to be anything but pious and devoted to her father. Grace opened the last letter, her heart racing.
My darling Mary,
Fate has upended our lives once more. Do you not realize that I would love your third child as much as your daughters? I understand your decision to stay with James, especially if this child is a boy, but my heart is breaking for a lost love and a life that can no longer be. Know that I will always love you with every fiber of my being. If you everhave need of me, do not hesitate to contact me. I will come to you wherever you are. With the heaviest of hearts, I say goodbye, my darling.
Always,
Hugh
Tears rolled down Grace’s cheeks at the cards her mother had been dealt. Mary was denied the opportunity to be with the love of her life. It was a tragic love story, and her mother had paid the ultimate price for her decision to stay with James.
Now it made sense that Lord Berkeley had thought Audrey was Mary. Her sister looked remarkably like their dear departed mother, with her dark hair and brilliant blue eyes. It was obvious that he’d loved Mary, and from what she could tell from the letters, her mother had loved the earl as well.
Had her father found out about their attachment?
Was that why he’d never allowed them to return to Dandridge Manor?
She had no way of knowing, and she needed someone to talk to about this. She certainly didn’t want to burden Audrey with such knowledge. Audrey was enjoying her honeymoon with Jacob, and it would hurt her sister deeply to think their mother had not been the woman they’d all thought she was. Grace never wanted to hurt her sister or destroy their mother’s image.
She refolded the letters. She needed to talk to Peter. He could hopefully offer some guidance on what path she should take. Even though he’d been distant for the last fortnight, she knew he would give her wise counsel on her next course of action.
Should she keep the letters secret?
Would it do anyone any good to reveal their contents now, long after their mother’s death?
It was a heavy burden to bear, knowing that her mother hadn’t been happy in her marriage. Mary had hidden it from her daughters well. Grace would have never believed her mother was burdened with such a wounded heart.
She swiped the tears from her face and walked out to the garden. “Mr. Clifford, I do apologize, but I’ve forgotten an errand I must see to immediately. We can discuss the design further when I return. In the meantime, I’m sure Lady Kathryn can answer any questions you may have.”
“Very well, Miss Parker.”
Grace walked back through the drawing room into the foyer, where she grabbed her reticule from the table near the front door and put the letters inside before picking up her bonnet and gloves.
“Miss Parker, do you need assistance?” Jones asked.
Grace spun around as she tied the ribbons on her bonnet. “Oh, Jones, I didn’t hear you approach. I’m merely going for a walk.”
The butler nodded and opened the front door. “Enjoy the sunshine, Miss Parker.”
“Thank you, Jones,” she said, slipping on her gloves. She was the picture of a calm and demure Society miss as she walked outside, but that was the furthest thing from the truth. Her mind was in turmoil, her heart was racing, and her belly roiled with anxiety.
Grace hurried down the front drive before anyone else saw her. She didn’t want to talk to until she’d had a chance to discuss the letters with Peter. It would have been faster to take Blaze, but she couldn’t bear the thought of waiting around while the horse was saddled. Plus, the walk would be good for her-she felt an unbearable need to move. The letters seemed to burn a holethrough the fabric of her reticule as she clutched it. The sooner she had some answers about what to do, the better she would feel.
She set a brisk pace. The vicarage was two miles down the road, and it took half an hour to reach it. She knocked on the door, and it took a few minutes before she heard footsteps, giving her an opportunity to try to calm her erratic breathing. When the door finally opened, she was so grateful Peter was at home; she didn’t know what she would have done if he were not out tending to his parishioners.
“Miss Parker, this is an unexpected surprise. Is there something I can help you with?”
Grace could feel the tears welling behind her eyes, and all she could do was nod.
Peter opened the door wider to allow her to enter. “I can see something is troubling you. Please come in, and let’s see if I can help you. Would you like a cup of tea? I just heated up the water.”
A soothing cup of tea sounded like heaven to Grace. “Yes,” she said. “Thank you.”
“Have a seat. I shall see to it.”
Grace took a seat in one of the wingback chairs in front of the fireplace. Her nerves were on edge as she realized she was about to reveal a scandalous secret about her family. Now she wasn’t so sure she was doing the right thing. She stood up and was about to leave when Peter came back with a tea tray.