XXV

Grace walked through her garden, enjoying the warm spring sunlight that bathed every corner of the village. It had been four days since the new neighbor had moved into the house across the street, and although she hadn't seen him in person, the rumors shared by the butler still echoed in her mind. A man, allegedly, whose face was disfigured after a terrible accident. She couldn't help but wonder, What does he really look like?

She glanced toward the house across the street. The curtains remained closed, as they always were, and the air of mystery surrounding the home only fueled her curiosity. Grace wasn't just intrigued by the man. Deep down, there was something more—something she couldn't ignore. His story reminded her of the pain she had lived through herself: the loss, the loneliness, and having to rebuild her life in silence. Hadn't they shared the same desire?

Yet, the difference between her and this mysterious man seemed vast. He hid behind closed curtains, isolated from everyone, while she had found solace in the simple life of the village. She had become someone respected, loved by the children she taught, and by the villagers who saw her as a noble and strong widow. But now, with the presence of this man so close, a strange unease began to stir in her chest.

" What are you staring at, ma'am? " asked her maid, who appeared beside her, hands on her hips and a scowl on her face.

Grace smiled and shook her head, looking away from the house.

" Nothing in particular, " she replied, though her thoughts remained tangled in the figure she believed was hiding behind those curtains.

Lesly, however, was not so easily impressed. To her, the world always hid dangers, especially behind kind appearances. Unlike her mistress, who saw goodness in every corner, Lesly suspected everyone and everything.

" That man is hiding something, " she spat, her words filled with suspicion. " You'll see. Don't trust him. I don't know what he's up to, but no one moves to such a small village without a good reason. "

Grace chuckled softly, though she wasn't entirely convinced. The butler's story about the accident had struck a chord in her heart, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of empathy for the stranger. She knew how life could change overnight and how tragedies, no matter how unexpected, could shape people in unimaginable ways.

" Maybe he's just looking for peace. Not everyone has bad intentions, " she commented as she bent down to touch a flower that had just begun to bloom in the garden.

Lesly snorted with skepticism.

" Peace? Don't make me laugh. If that man were looking for peace, he wouldn't be hiding behind those damn curtains all day. He's up to something, mark my words. "

Grace smiled again, but this time with a touch of sadness. She knew Lesly spoke out of a desire to protect her. It had always been that way, ever since she was a child. Miss Kranst had become a maternal figure, a friend who guarded and defended her as if she were her own daughter. But sometimes, that overprotectiveness felt like a cage from which she couldn't escape.

" Come now, don't be so harsh, " she said finally, as they both walked back toward the house. " Sometimes people just need time to adjust. "

The maid didn't reply, but her expression remained grim. As they entered, she closed the door with more force than necessary, clearly signaling her distrust of the man across the street.

Grace, however, couldn't stop thinking about what she had heard. The story of the accident, the life in England, the need to escape the cruel stares of society. It was easy to imagine the suffering he must have endured, isolated not just by his appearance, but also by emotional pain. Perhaps he was afraid that, by stepping outside, people would judge him before getting to know his true nature.

As she sat at her small desk, she let her thoughts wander beyond the ordinary. There was something about that man's story that touched her deeply, as if, in some way, their fates were connected. Though she didn't know why, she felt that sooner or later, this mysterious man would become a part of her life.

" Ma'am, " Lesly interrupted, as she began preparing tea, " I warn you, don't get into trouble because of that stranger. Remember, we know nothing about him. You've already had enough complications in your life, don't you think? "

Grace laughed softly, though deep down, Lesly's words made her reflect on her own past. The memory of Marcus, the man who had once been everything to her, remained alive in her heart. Despite the time that had passed and all that had happened between them, his image still lingered in her mind. Perhaps, in some way, that was why she felt so connected to her new neighbor's story. They had both suffered, they had both lost, and maybe, they were both searching for redemption in some form.

But she wouldn't say that to Lesly. She knew her maid would never understand that connection, that feeling that something bigger was about to happen.

" Don't worry. I'm curious, not foolish, " she replied with a smile.

Lesly huffed, but didn't say anything else. She knew that once Grace had an idea in her head, it was difficult to change her mind. And though she wouldn't admit it out loud, she, too, was curious about the mysterious neighbor. It was hard to ignore a house with always closed curtains, especially when the man living there was supposedly so gravely injured that he never left.

Silence settled between the two women. Outside, the leaves of the trees swayed gently in the breeze, while sparrows flitted back and forth, oblivious to the whirlwind of thoughts beginning to stir inside the house.

Grace stood up from her desk and looked out the window. From there, she could see the house. The curtains remained closed, but for some reason, today she felt that something was about to change. She didn't know if it was just her imagination, or if there was something more in the air, but a feeling of unease settled in her chest.

Lesly, watching her from the kitchen, shook her head, muttering something about the trouble men bring.

After finishing her tea, Grace decided to go out and do some shopping. The afternoon sun was gentle, but it warmed the streets of the small village, making the lingering mist from previous days fade away. With a basket on her arm, she arrived at the market. As she walked among the stalls, the bustle surrounded her: vendors offering fresh vegetables, freshly baked bread, and smoked meat. But she wasn't paying attention to the goods; instead, her focus was on the chatter. Rumors about the arrival of a stranger were spreading through the village like smoke from a chimney on a winter's day.

Grace, who always tried to avoid gossip, couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity. Every time she heard a new version of the story, her thoughts drifted to her own neighbor, wondering if what people said was true. As she strolled through the market, a group of women gathered near the vegetable stalls, whispering to one another, though their words still reached her ears.

" They say he never leaves the house... no one's seen his face, " one of the neighbors said, wide-eyed as she picked out some carrots.

" How can someone live like that, so shut away? " murmured another, her expression full of concern. " I could never bear it. "

Grace listened silently, trying not to engage in the gossip, but feeling her curiosity growing within her. While she was deciding which apples to buy, one of the women turned to her.

" What do you think, Lady Grace? Don't you think someone should go see him? It's not right to leave him alone all the time... " the woman asked, her tone almost challenging.

Grace, uncomfortable under the pressure, forced a small smile.

" Yes, maybe someone should formally introduce themselves, " she replied, though she wasn't sure if she was speaking earnestly or just out of politeness.

The truth was, deep down, she felt she ought to do something. It might not have been wise to follow rumors, but she couldn't ignore the urge to help someone who, according to the stories, was suffering. Just as she was about to turn and head home, she heard a familiar voice nearby.

" Madam! " Simon called out, appearing among the shoppers with his usual bright smile.

She turned her head to see the cheerful valet of her new neighbor approaching with his usual relaxed demeanor, also carrying a basket of provisions. Though he looked carefree, his ever-alert eyes seemed to be seeking more than just vegetables.

" Please, call me Grace or Mrs. Collier, " she said, wanting to formalize their relationship.

" Simon Holloway, at your service, " he replied with a slight bow.

" Well, Mr. Holloway, it seems we've both decided to do some shopping at the same time, " she said, offering a friendly smile while noticing the expectant faces of the women she'd been speaking to moments before.

" Indeed, Mrs. Collier, " he said, raising his basket exaggeratedly. " My lord is very particular about what he eats, so I have to make sure he gets only the best. "

Grace let out a soft laugh.

" I suppose having someone as dedicated as you to look after him must be a blessing. "

Simon's smile widened.

" Well, I do what I can. Although with my lord, one must be very discreet, you know. He doesn't want anyone to know... what happened. " His smile faded slightly, revealing a more serious tone.

She couldn't help but frown, noticing the change in his demeanor.

" Is it true, what you said about his accident? " she asked carefully, though her curiosity urged her to dig deeper. " It must be very difficult for him. "

Holloway sighed dramatically, as if he carried the weight of his master's burdens himself.

" It's more complicated than you can imagine, Mrs. Collier. The scars... they're not just on his face, but on his soul as well. After the accident, he lost not only his appearance, but his confidence too. Since then, he barely shows himself in public. " The young man leaned in slightly, as if sharing a secret. " Society can be very cruel to those who don't fit its standards. "

As they walked together through the market, Grace felt a pang of compassion. It was hard to imagine someone living in total isolation, especially after such a tragic accident.

" It must be so painful for him, " Grace murmured, her gaze lost on the horizon as her mind tried to imagine the life of the man who lived just across the street.

" It is, believe me. " Simon let out a theatrical sigh. " My lord has been through so much. Society judged him harshly, and the world he once knew abandoned him. Now, all he seeks is a little peace, far from those prying eyes. "

Grace nodded, caught up in the tragedy Simon was describing. Without realizing it, her protective instincts began to awaken. Something in her heart urged her to help this unknown man.

" What can I do for him? " Grace asked softly as they walked back. " Perhaps... something that might help him fee l better. "

Holloway, always quick to seize an opportunity, smiled slyly, though he hid it behind a polite expression.

" Madam, you have a very generous heart, but it's not easy. My lord... " He paused, as if carefully choosing his words. " He needs time. And perhaps... just perhaps, the affection of someone who can see beyond his scars. "

Grace felt a lump in her throat at those words. Though she didn't know him, she already felt a connection to this broken man who lived just a few steps from her home. The idea of being able to do something to ease his suffering both unsettled her and made her want to learn more.

" Well, I think I'll bring him some of the fruit I'm buying, so at least he can have a good dessert, " she said, looking with determination at the basket in her hand. " Sometimes, a simple gesture can mean a lot. "

Holloway, satisfied with Grace's response, nodded, feigning surprise and gratitude.

" I'm sure my lord will appreciate it more than he could ever express. But remember, don't expect him to be too... sociable at first. He's a reserved man. "

" I understand. Sometimes, people just need time to realize that not everyone is cruel. "

Simon watched with satisfaction as Grace glanced toward the house where the marquess was hiding. He knew that her curiosity and compassion were the perfect bait to draw her closer to his master.