"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship." Ralph Waldo Emerson

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XXVII.

Grace had not quite believed her mother when she was told that evening that the Duchess of Ashwood had called upon her. Not only that, but she had gifted Grace's mother the deed to their house. Grace had to look upon the document with her own eyes to believe it to be true.

Whatever doubts she had about the duchess' motives were seemingly gone, and she could believe that Cecily Beresford really would approve of her. The ownership of their home was such a gift and was such a significant burden off of Grace's shoulders.

While her mother would not go into details about what else was discussed between herself and the duchess, Grace could not have been more grateful.

Grace did not spend another night at Ashwood House as her things were transported out of her and Ruby's room, only after Grace had confessed everything to Ruby. Her friend had been shocked, as had everyone except for Mrs Hayes, but she was truly excited for Grace.

Grace and her possessions arrived back at her family home and she moved back into the bedroom she had always shared with Claire. When she thought back to how she had felt when she had spent her last night in this room, Grace could not quite believe what had happened, and how she had managed such luck as to have found Adam again.

"You look so happy," uttered Claire peacefully, as she looked upon Grace while they lay in their bed facing on another.

Grace smiled. "I am happy. I never thought that what happened today would come about. To think I was absolutely distraught this morning ..."

"Adam really loves you," mused Claire with a wistful, wishful smile, as she looked up towards the ceiling.

Grace knew where her younger sister's thoughts often went. "It will be your turn, Claire," she promised, "with a man far more deserving of you than Arthur Slickson."

Claire's eyes flicked back to Grace. "Oh, I know," she said with sad realisation. "I think my chance at Mr Slickson came and went at the assembly," she said regretfully. "Alas, I am certain there will be someone else who will catch my eye someday."

Grace would never voice it aloud, but she was so glad to hear Claire resigned to giving up all thoughts of Arthur Slickson. No level of handsomeness could outweigh the vices of vanity, conceit and selfishness. Claire would certainly find someone more suitable for her.

"I do wonder at Mama and the duchess' conversation today, though," said Claire. "You didn't see her, Grace, but the duchess looked so ... so ... well, I am just so used to seeing her with her nose in the air that I have never seen her appear so normal before. Why won't Mama tell, do you think?"

Grace could not deny her own curiosity, but she could certainly guess at the subject. Perhaps the duchess had voiced her last fears and concerns over the match to their mother, and Mrs Denham had defended Grace. She could certainly believe that. Grace had never before seen her mother converse with the duchess, so they certainly could have nothing else to discuss.

"If it were our business, Mama would have told us, Claire," murmured Grace. "Whatever happened, Adam and I are still going to enter into a courtship and the duchess consents.

***

Grace could not help but wake with Claire, as she was used to rising early and completing her chores. Claire was certainly grateful for the assistance and Grace enjoyed helping her with the cooking and the chores. It reminded her of when she used to help her mother when their father was still alive.

Before they all sat down to breakfast, there was a knock at the door. A footman from Ashwood had been sent with a note for Grace from the duchess.

Dear Miss Denham,

The duke expects you at ten o'clock to read to him as a standing appointment each day.

You will be invited to stay for luncheon thereafter.

Yours,

Cecily Beresford

Claire read the letter from over Grace's shoulder. "Luncheon at Ashwood?" she gasped. "Everyday?"

Grace had been reading The Divine Comedy to the duke, in which he spent much of the time asking her questions. Perhaps he had more. Whatever the purpose, of course she would oblige him. If she could bring a dying man comfort in any way, it was her Christian duty. She hoped, as well, that his father's comfort would ease Adam's mind as well.

"But you will come with me, won't you?" asked Grace. "As my chaperone?"

Claire smiled excitedly. "You will need a chaperone, yes." She grinned. "Oh, I would only be too happy to oblige."

"If you see Adam, which I am certain you shall, will you ask him to dinner on Saturday?" proposed Mrs Denham as she stirred her tea. "I will ask Kate and Jim, also. He has not had the opportunity to sit down with all of us yet ... and I think it best it happens sooner rather than later."

Grace understood her mother's meaning. "Yes," she confirmed. "I will ask."

***

It felt terribly wrong to approach the front door even though she was invited. Grace did not think she had ever used the front door of Ashwood House. Not even as a child. She had always entered through the kitchen.

She held onto Claire's arm as they climbed the steps up to the front door, which was opened pre-emptively by Mr Cole. How odd that was to be greeted by the butler as a guest, and not ordered about as a maid. Grace was quite at a loss of what to do.

"What an exciting twenty-four hours it has been for you, Miss Denham," remarked Mr Cole.

Grace was unsure if his comment was meant to be negative or positive. Mr Cole was a traditionalist, she believed, and it was certainly not traditional for a housemaid to be raised up as high as Grace was.

"Grace!"

Grace was saved from finding words for Mr Cole as Adam descended the stairs towards them. He was smiling, and it gave her such peace to see such an expression. As he drew closer, she noticed that the ends of his hair were damp, and they were curling a little more than usual.

Adam stopped himself from embracing Grace, and instead, bowed his head to her, before turning to Claire and offering her the same greeting. "Miss Denham, Miss Claire." His actions were formal, but his eyes were excited and intense.

"Good morning, milord," Grace and Claire said in unison as they curtseyed.

"May I take your coats, ladies?" asked Mr Cole.

Claire immediately went to her buttons, but Grace uttered, "I can put them away. We do not mean to trouble you."

"Please," urged Mr Cole, a small smile burgeoning. "Allow me." He took their coats and left with instructions from Adam for a two tea trays to be organised. One for Claire, and one for Grace up in the duke's bedroom.

"I feel so strange," whispered Grace when the three were alone in the foyer.

Adam smiled. "You had no qualms running rings around Cole when we were children," he reminded her.

"I had qualms!" she assured him. "You were the one with no qualms. I was always afraid that your mother would see me, or someone would tell on me!"

Adam chuckled quietly. "I cannot imagine how awkward and odd this must be for you to so suddenly be here as a guest. I can only hope that you will grow to feel comfortable ... as I do hope this will be your home one day."

Claire looked between them with a lovestruck expression on her face, and Grace immediately clamped her lips shut. She didn't much like having to have a chaperone as she felt her cheeks redden.

Adam seemed to read her hesitation immediately. "Claire, why don't I see you into the drawing room? My father expects Grace presently." He offered his arm to Claire. "I will come and collect you in a little while."

Grace climbed the stairs and took herself to the duke's bedroom, knowing the way perfectly. She knocked on the door quietly and opened the door when she heard him beckon her softly.

Having only seen the duke the day before, Grace thought she would be accustomed to his appearance, but he seemed to grow paler each day. His face was looking a little gaunt, as his cheekbones became more pronounced. She remembered her own father struggling to stay nourished towards the end of his life and she felt a pang of sadness in her chest.

"Good morning, Your Grace," she greeted, curtseying in the threshold before she walked tentatively into the room.

The duke smiled from his bed, the skin around his eyes and mouth crinkling. "Ah, Grace, good morning. I am pleased Cecily's note found you. I would like for you to read to me each day. Would that be alright?"

Before she could answer, Peregrine interjected.

"Of course, you would never deny a dying man his wish, would you?"

Grace's eyes widened.

Her reaction amused Peregrine and he chuckled. "I am sorry," he apologised. "I am beginning to have a rather gloomy sense of humour."

Grace sat down in the chair that she had occupied the day before, not before collecting The Divine Comedy from the duke's bedside table. "I am pleased to read to you, Your Grace," she promised him, "though I am certain you could find far better orators."

"There is something pleasing about your voice, Grace," complimented the duke calmly. "I think it is because you do not sound as though you have been educated to walk around with a book on top of your head, or to speak from the back of your throat."

Grace supposed her accent was as normal and as simple as any other Hertfordshire villager's. "I am pleased that something such as my voice can affect you so, Your Grace."

"My son seems in quite excellent spirits today," Peregrine commented. "Better than I have seen him ... ever."

Grace opened the book to the place she had left yesterday as she smiled to herself. "I suppose I am in good spirits as well," she replied.

"That is good." Peregrine's eyes flickered a little, and his voice strained for a moment as though he was growing tired. "Tell me, Grace. Are you a good girl?"

"Your Grace, you ought to rest," urged Grace. "Might I fetch someone?"

Peregrine frowned. "No," he mumbled. "Stay. Answer the question."

Grace nodded. "I try to be," she replied. "I ... I believe that one can always be better, but I strive to be as kind, compassionate, and selfless as I can. I think it is effort that makes us good. Trying makes you good. So, yes, to answer your question."

"Hmm," sighed Peregrine, sounding quite lethargic. "I believe you are good. Read, please."

Grace resumed from her place, and read for close to half an hour, looking up from her page every few lines to watch Peregrine. His eyes were closed, and his chest was moving up and down evenly. Soon, she was certain, he was asleep.

As silently as she could, Grace closed the book and returned it to the bedside table, before tiptoeing out of the bedroom and shutting the door behind her. Adam seemed to have had the same thought to come and collect her as he was nearing the duke's bedroom as Grace closed the door.

He was smiling once again, and Grace was still so pleased to see his happiness. It hurt to know how fleeting it would be when he had such pain so imminently near. How thankful she would be in years to come to have played a part in bringing him joy during this time.

"Your father is sleeping," she told him quietly as they met in the hall.

Now that they were alone, Adam brought Grace into his arms, holding her close to him. Grace settled into his embrace, resting her cheek against his chest.

"My mother has invited you to have dinner with my family on Saturday," she told him. "Will you come?"

"Now, I might have to think about it," Adam teased. At Grace's scoff, he laughed, and agreed. "We have a little time before luncheon. Susanna is downstairs with Claire. What do you say we sneak away for a little while?"

----

I hope you enjoyed it! 

I had my first week back in the classroom with my class! It felt SO GOOD to finally have them back and at their tables where they belong. 

One of my kids was saying my name A LOT this week, like she would be saying, "Laura, can you help me with this, Laura?" (we use first names at my school FYI) and she came up to me and said, "Do you know why I've been saying your name so much?" and I asked, "Why?" and she said, "Because I missed saying your name while we were doing remote learning." WHEN I TELL YOU I MELTED ON THE SPOT!!! God, I missed them so much. 

And then of course by Friday they were doing my head in because they were so tired and chatty hahaha - we all needed the weekend! 

IN OTHER NEWS WE ONLY HAD 1 COVID CASE TODAY!!!!! The harshest lockdown in the world has WORKED and we might be free (ish) tomorrow after our Premier's press conference. I'm just hoping we can go to people's houses because my nephew is turning 2 on Tuesday and I'd love to be able to see him. 

We had:

- curfew 8pm

- no going more than 5kms (3 miles) from your house

- mandatory face masks

- no shops/restaurants ANYTHING open except for essential retail (like supermarkets and pharmacies)

- schools shut

- everyone working from home

- no gatherings of ANY kind

- $1600 fines for anyone who broke the rules

And I'm certain a million other things that I'm forgetting. But it worked. We went from 723 cases a day to 1 today. Just literally so happy. Like I consider myself to be a pretty mentally healthy person and this is killing me, so I can't imagine what it's like for people who are suffering with mental health issues. But we did it. We got there!

If you are in lockdown, keep powering through, because it works! I haven't seen my best friend since May, and I might be able to see her after this weekend. 

Keep pushing! Vote and comment!