XXIV

Holloway returned to the house with a plan in mind. When he entered the morning sitting room, he found his master still in the same position, rigidly standing at the window, watching Grace's house as if waiting for a miracle to happen on the other side. Simon sighed, knowing that something needed to change if things were going to move forward. But he also knew the marquess wouldn't make the first move. Would he spend another ten years standing there?

Convinced he had to act, Simon decided to take matters into his own hands. While his master remained deep in thought, Simon quietly slipped out of the house. Spotting one of the maids cleaning nearby, he quickly approached her to ask a favor.

" Excuse me, I need you to keep an eye on the lord while I step out for a bit. I don't think he'll move from where he is, but if he asks for anything, make sure he gets it promptly, " he requested with a smile, trying to sound casual.

" Of course, Mr. Holloway, " the maid replied, though she seemed surprised that he was leaving so soon after arriving.

With everything in order, Simon left the house and made his way to Lady Grace's home. He had two clear objectives: first, to introduce himself with an excuse, and second, to gauge her character so he could further his plan to reunite her with the marquess. The morning air brushed his face as he walked with determined steps, glancing at the modest stone houses lining the streets. The peaceful atmosphere gave him the clarity he needed.

" Here we go! " he muttered to himself with a smile as he approached the front door.

He knocked three times, firm and decisive. Inside, the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard, and after a few moments, the door opened, revealing a woman with a stern expression and a no-nonsense demeanor: Lesly, the maid. Her sharp eyes scanned him up and down, assessing him before deciding what to do.

" Good morning, ma'am, " he greeted her with his customary smile. " I apologize for the intrusion. I'm Simon Holloway, the valet for the gentleman living in the house across the street, " he said, gesturing toward the house Marcus had rented. " I need to ask if there's a place in town where I can buy fresh vegetables. My master is quite particular about his diet, and I must ensure he eats only the best. "

Lesly eyed him with a mix of suspicion and weariness. She was about to close the door in his face when a soft, feminine voice spoke from behind her.

" Lesly, who is it? " Grace asked, appearing in the doorway.

" A stranger asking about vegetables, " the maid replied grumpily.

When Simon saw the woman who had captivated the marquess, his eyes widened. He had never seen her in person before, but now he understood why his master was so enthralled by her. She carried herself with simple elegance, and her face radiated a natural sweetness that could charm any man.

" Good morning, " Grace greeted with a slight smile. " Fresh vegetables? I'm afraid there isn't a large market here in the village, but you'll find all the vegetables you need from the local farms. Everything is grown by the villagers themselves. "

Simon, his smile still intact, nodded excitedly.

" Fantastic! " he exclaimed. " What a blessing to find a place with such an abundance of fresh produce! My master will be thrilled. "

Grace smiled, but her curiosity was clearly piqued. Ever since she heard that someone from England had arrived in the village, she had been growing more and more curious to meet him. So, she decided to ask a question that had been on her mind.

" I've heard you've come from England, " she commented, feigning casual interest while looking at Simon.

" Yes, ma'am. We've come from there, " he replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

" And what brings you to such a remote village like Strathmore? " Lesly chimed in, arms still crossed, her suspicion lingering.

The young man, adopting a more serious tone, lowered his voice slightly.

" My master had no choice, " he confessed with a tone that implied sadness.

" No choice? " Grace asked, her concern rising.

" Yes, " Holloway sighed, as if recalling something painful. " After a terrible riding accident, my master's face was disfigured, and life in society became unbearable for him. The stares, the comments... he couldn't stand it. So we came here, to this quiet corner of Scotland, seeking peace. "

Grace brought her hands to her chest, shocked by the story. She hadn't heard anything about this, and the empathy she always felt for people in unfortunate situations began to overwhelm her.

" Oh, I'm so sorry! " she exclaimed sincerely. " That must be very difficult for him. "

Simon, ever the opportunist, added more drama to the story.

" Not only was his face affected. His body has also been so weakened that he can't even stand for long periods. He needs rest... and something that will heal his soul more than his body. "

Lesly frowned, but before she could close the door, Grace stepped forward.

" Are you looking for a doctor in the village? " she asked with genuine interest.

The young man shook his head.

" No, ma'am. What my master needs is not something a doctor can cure. Only one thing can heal him—the love of a woman who will accept him as he is, who can see beyond his appearance... " His voice softened as if he had said too much. " But that, as you know, is not easy to find. "

Both women stood in silence, captivated by the weight of his words. Lesly, ever practical, tried to mask her suspicion, while Grace seemed genuinely moved.

" Has he come here to find a wife? " Lesly questioned, still keeping the door halfway open.

Simon smiled wistfully.

" Only fate can decide that, ma'am. For now, he's here simply to find peace. "

Before the conversation could continue, Lesly abruptly shut the door with a bang, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.

Holloway turned, satisfied with the seed he had planted in the minds of the two women. As he walked back to the house, his thoughts spun around what he had just learned. Now he understood why the marquess was so in love with her—she was a woman of extraordinary sweetness. But he also realized that Lesly would be an obstacle, a sort of protective guardian who wouldn't let anything or anyone deceive her.

When Simon reentered the house, still smiling with satisfaction, he found Westlin glaring at him, his eyes filled with fury. The marquess stood with clenched fists and jaw tight.

" What in hell have you done, Holloway? " Westlin growled, his gaze betraying that he was on the verge of losing his temper.

Simon, still maintaining his carefree attitude, smiled widely as he adjusted his waistcoat.

" Milord, I've paved the way for you, " he replied, as if he had done an invaluable favor.

" Paved the way? " Marcus repeated, his face a mixture of incredulity and despair. " What do you mean by paving the way? "

" Well, I told them you suffered a terrible accident from a fall off a horse, that your face was disfigured, and that your body is so weak you can barely stand. So don't worry, milord, everything is under control, " he said in such a convinced tone that, for a moment, it seemed he genuinely believed he had done something brilliant.

" What...? " Marcus's incredulity turned into pure rage. " You told them that? "

" Yes, my lord. The best part is now they have no reason to suspect anything if you avoid being seen in public, " Simon added, still smiling proudly.

" You call that helping me! " Marcus shouted, unable to believe the madness he had just heard. Every word from his butler felt like an insult to his intelligence and his plan to keep a low profile without dishonoring his name.

Undeterred, Holloway nodded enthusiastically.

" It's an excellent idea, milord, " he persisted, fully convinced his plan was foolproof. " All you need is to use a cane when you leave the house. It will reinforce the image of frailty we've already created. "

Marcus stared at him in a mix of astonishment and rage. The urge to strangle him grew with every word that left his mouth, but before he could explode, a noise outside caught his attention.

He immediately turned toward the window, momentarily forgetting the absurdity of the situation with Simon. Outside, he saw Grace leaving her house. She was carrying several books, her expression calm as she walked toward the path leading into the village. Aife had mentioned that she worked as a teacher, but Marcus couldn't remember being told what time her lessons began. Why is she leaving so early? he wondered, trying to find an answer to his own question.

Just then, the boy appeared. The child caught up to her and took her hand, his bright smile suggesting that life was as simple as it could be. Marcus watched the scene with a tightness in his chest. That image—Grace and her son walking together—struck him deeply, leaving him breathless.

He felt a wave of sadness wash over him, placing a hand on his heart as if trying to soothe the anguish that filled him upon seeing them walk away. The family that could have been his, the life he had ruined. For years, he had repressed his emotions, convinced it was the right thing to do. But now, watching them, the weight of it all became unbearable.

With his eyes fixed on the door through which Grace and the boy had disappeared, Marcus murmured, " Find me a cane. "

Before Marcus could regret giving the order, Simon had already dashed out of the room, leaving the marquess alone by the window once more. Westlin's gaze lingered on the path where Grace and her son had walked away.

" I won't waste a single moment more to make sure you're both with me, " he vowed to himself.