XXVI

Holloway entered the room with his usual energy, a wide grin spreading across his face as he saw Marcus standing by the window. The marquess hadn't stopped watching the house across the street, as if each second behind those curtains revealed another piece of the mystery now surrounding Grace's life.

" Milord, " Holloway said, opening his arms like he had just achieved a great victory, " the plan is working perfectly! "

Westlin didn't take his eyes off the house across the street but let out a low growl from his throat.

" The entire village is talking about you, " the young valet continued, oblivious to the rising tension in his master. " The women, in particular, seem fascinated by the idea of a mysterious gentleman with a tragic past living in seclusion behind those curtains. "

Marcus, with a skeptical expression, finally turned toward him. The story had caught his attention.

" Do you really think this is a success? " he asked, his voice filled with disbelief and nerves.

" Absolutely! " Simon responded enthusiastically. " Now everyone is thinking about the tragedy of your fate, and that always works! "

Westlin frowned, not sharing his valet's sense of triumph.

" I'd rather it not works that well, " he replied dryly before turning his gaze back toward Grace's house.

Simon, still brimming with confidence, shrugged.

" Everything is going according to plan, milord. Soon, you'll be walking through the village with her, sharing sad stories and winning her sympathy. "

Marcus shook his head. He wasn't so sure that keeping a low profile was working as well as he had hoped. What worried him most was the thought that even if Simon managed to bring Grace closer, what would happen if she recognized him? The mask, the cane—nothing seemed enough to hide his true identity from the woman who meant so much to him.

But before he could dwell further on it, Holloway, with a mischievous smile, added, " The truth is, milord, you should be thanking me. I'm making it easier for you. "

Marcus, caught between disbelief and exasperation, turned toward him with an eyebrow raised.

" Making it easier for me? " he repeated, fighting the urge to strangle him.

" That's right, my lord. I told them a tragic version of your accident. Now everyone believes you're a vulnerable man in need of help... All that's left is for you to remember the cane to complete the role, " Simon added with a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Marcus let out a sigh as his young valet finally decided to leave him alone. He turned back to the window, and in that moment, his body froze.

" What the devil...? " he thundered as he saw two women he recognized all too well heading toward his home.

Grace carefully placed the vegetables and fruits on the kitchen table. She wasn't focused on the task, doing it almost mechanically, as her mind lingered in the market, in the conversation with the women, and in the sudden appearance of the young valet. Lesly, who was drying the silverware, noticed her absent expression and couldn't help but ask:

" What's on your mind now, ma'am? "

Grace gave a small smile as she organized the apples and carrots she had bought.

" Nothing, I was just thinking about our new neighbor… "

" Don't tell me you're still moved by that ridiculous story, " Lesly replied, crossing her arms. " I don't trust a word that boy says. What kind of man stays hidden in a house for days? "

Grace sighed.

" Ma'am, something doesn't feel right about all of this. No man hides away like that unless he's got more to hide, " Lesly added with suspicion.

Despite her maid's warnings, Grace had already made up her mind. She was going to bring a basket of fruit to the neighbor as a gesture of goodwill. It was the least she could do for someone who had supposedly been through such a difficult time. After all, it's what any good neighbor would do.

" I think the best thing is for me to find out for myself, " she declared with determination. " Maybe he's just going through a rough patch. "

Lesly let out a sigh of resignation. She knew there was no convincing her mistress otherwise.

" Very well. I'll come with you, but I don't like this one bit. "

Grace smiled, grateful for the support of her loyal friend.

" I wouldn't expect anything less from you. "

Simon was in full action mode. He had seen Grace and Lesly approaching with a basket of fruit in hand, and he couldn't wipe the grin off his face. Despite the marquess's protests, Simon knew the plan was working far better than anticipated.

" Milord! " he exclaimed breathlessly, " They're here! "

Marcus spun around abruptly, his face reflecting sheer panic.

" Why? " he managed to say.

" As I told you, everything is going smoothly. She mentioned bringing a gift, and as you can see, she's kept her word. "

The marquess felt the world stop for a moment. His heart pounded wildly, and his mind became a whirl of chaotic thoughts. He wasn't ready. He didn't even know what to say.

" Damn you, Holloway! We're going to get into trouble! " Marcus exclaimed, burying his hands in his hair.

Simon, on the other hand, remained as calm as ever, almost relishing the chaos he had stirred.

" On the contrary, milord. This is the perfect opportunity. Just remember your role! " he said, handing him the cane.

" Do you really think this is going to work? " Westlin asked, feeling increasingly vulnerable.

" Of course, milord. You just need to appear as frail as possible, " Simon reassured him with a calming smile.

Reluctantly, Marcus donned the mask and leaned on the cane, feeling fear creep through him. The idea of being so close to Grace after all these years was paralyzing.

" It'll be just a brief visit, " Simon muttered, trying to soothe his master. " And remember, act as though you can barely stand. "

Before Westlin could say anything more, Simon had already dashed off to greet them. He positioned himself behind the door, waiting patiently for them to knock. When they did, he took a deep breath, straightened his waistcoat, and opened the door with composure.

" Mrs. Collier! What a pleasant surprise! " he exclaimed, taking the fruit basket from Grace's arm with a bow. " Thank you for coming. My lord will be most pleased by your visit. Please, come in. "

Grace, maintaining her characteristic calm and sweetness, offered a gentle smile.

" I hope we're not causing any inconvenience, " she said as they followed him inside.

" Of course not! " Holloway replied in his usual charming tone.

Marcus was already seated in an armchair, with the mask covering half of his face and the cane in his right hand. Holloway had given him the cane as if it were an essential prop for the role they were playing, but he felt awkward, as though the entire facade was about to collapse around him. His heart raced frantically, especially at the thought of being so close to her again after so long.

The moment Marcus saw her, time seemed to stop. All that existed was her, the woman who had left an indelible mark on his life, now standing before him. He tried to calm himself, keeping his head lowered and his gaze fixed on the floor.

Grace sensed the tension in the room. There was something strange about the man sitting before her—something in his posture, in his movements. He seemed so weak, yet distant, as though he were afraid to engage with the world.

" Please, don't get up, " she said softly and kindly when Westlin tried to rise to greet them. However, his legs failed him, and he collapsed back into the chair. " We've only come to bring you some fruit as a gesture of courtesy. "

Lesly, ever more direct, stepped in, her gaze fixed on Marcus.

" Your valet mentioned that your health isn't the best, " she said, her tone full of suspicion, as if trying to see through the story Simon had spun.

Marcus, acutely aware of Lesly's scrutiny, struggled to maintain his composure. He tried to speak in a frail voice, barely able to muster any strength.

" Thank you... Yes, that's true, " he replied, doing his best to sound convincing.

Grace, moved by her innate kindness, took a step forward and spoke sincerely.

" Even though we don't know each other, I want you to know that if you ever need help, please don't hesitate to call on us. We'd be more than happy to assist with whatever you might need. "

Marcus, his heart in his throat, realized that Simon's strategy was working far better than he had anticipated. Grace hadn't recognized him and genuinely believed he was a sick man. The thought of her seeing him that way, though it gave him some breathing room, also pained him. He didn't want her to view him as weak, even though he understood it was the only way to get close to her without being discovered.

Seeing how well things were going, Simon decided to take it a step further to bring Grace even closer to his master.

" Thank you so much for your kind offer, Mrs. Collier, " he said quickly before Marcus could intervene. " If you're free tomorrow, perhaps you could help him take a walk through the village. My lord needs exercise, and I'll be busy finishing up the arrangements upstairs. "

All three people in the room stared at him in surprise. Grace's eyes widened with a mix of astonishment and contemplation, while Marcus, already at the edge of his nerves, tried to interject.

" Please, don't listen to him, " Marcus almost pleaded, his voice cracking under the weight of his nerves. " It's not necessary. "

But Grace, true to her kind nature, smiled gently and nodded. " Oh, it's no trouble at all. I'd be happy to show you around the village and let you see how peaceful and lovely it is. "

Marcus felt dazed. The thought of spending time with her filled him with a mix of terror and yearning. Meanwhile, Holloway seized the moment to seal the arrangement.

" It'll be a short walk, I assure you, " Simon said persuasively to his lord. " How about tomorrow at ten? "

" That works for me, " Grace replied without hesitation.

" Is that agreeable for you, sir...? " she began, expecting a formal introduction.

" Lord Haspirin, " the valet quickly interjected, realizing Marcus was too frozen to react in time. " My lord is Lord Haspirin, Marquess of Haspirinland, " he added proudly.

Lesly had to stifle a laugh at the ridiculous name, but Grace didn't laugh. Instead, she looked closely at the marquess, narrowing her eyes. Something didn't quite add up, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was.

" Lord Haspirin... " she repeated slowly. " Will you be ready by then? "

" Yes... " Marcus managed, struggling to keep his voice steady while his hand subtly checked the black lace mask to ensure it hadn't shifted as he spoke.

Grace nodded one last time and politely took her leave.

" Then I'll see you tomorrow at ten. Have a pleasant afternoon, my lord. "

Grace and Lesly headed for the door, with Simon escorting them out. As they crossed the threshold, Grace couldn't help but glance back at Lord Haspirin. Something inside her nagged at her, telling her there was more to this man than met the eye, but she couldn't quite place what it was. His posture, his manner of speaking... and that mask. It was as if her memory was trying to remind her of someone.

" What's wrong? " Lesly asked as they walked away from the house.

" Nothing, " Grace answered quickly, though her mind was racing with questions. Despite everything she had heard and seen, a strange feeling lingered. Was it just her compassion making her feel this way?

Lesly, always ready with a sarcastic comment, couldn't resist.

" Didn't that mask look like it was made from a woman's nightgown lace? " she chuckled lightly.

Grace smiled but didn't respond. What is really bothering me? she wondered as they walked back home. She tried to rationalize it, but the nagging sense of familiarity with Lord Haspirin wouldn't go away, though she couldn't figure out why.

" Even his name is strange, " Lesly continued. " Haspirin... where do they come up with these ridiculous titles? It sounds made up. "

But Grace remained lost in thought, trying to find a logical explanation for what she had just experienced. Could it be possible that she knew him from somewhere?

When they reached home, she went inside quietly and headed straight to prepare her son's bath. She needed time to clear her mind, though she knew the questions would continue to swirl in her head.

Meanwhile, Marcus sat motionless in the parlor, still processing what had just happened. How am I going to spend tomorrow walking with her? he wondered. The very idea of being so close to Grace while still hiding his true identity filled him with fear but also a deep sense of anticipation.