Falling from Grace - Bridgerton

Chapter Twenty-Four

Past: 

Summer had gone and winter placed it sheet of ice over the world. Creatures went to sleep in their beds until the sun rose again as the night peaceful and tranquility surged. 

Grace had been living with Elliot for two months, leaving her home and life behind. 

They were at Kelly country home at the moment waiting to leave for London in the morning. Grace sat at the vanity in her room at the house, delicate fingers tracing over the pearls Elliot had gifted her once they had gotten there.

The door opened suddenly and Grace jumped frightened before relaxing again seeing it was just Elliot, releasing the hand that was clutching the pearl necklace Grace sighed, "My lord, you scared me."

Elliot strode over to her placing a light kiss onto her lips before looking at the two of them together in the mirror, "Look at us," He sighed his hands skimming over her shoulders, "Soon it will not just be us anymore, soon there will little feet padding along these hallways and roast crackling over the fire, you in my arms."

Grace smiled at Elliot from the mirror, she had grown to like him more in the past months they spent together. The contract only started in two day's time and little did she know that this was a front he was putting on.

She felt Elliot truly loved her, he had chosen her. He gave Grace home and showered her with gifts and affection. 

Grace did not realize how hard he tried to control his temper around her until the contract began and she could no longer back out. How he wished she would pay attention to him, make him needlepoint and play piano songs she wrote that would be dedicated to him. 

Elliot did not like how she was careless and free-spirited. He like control craved it and he would condition Grace to let him control her eventually but for now, she needed to love him and make her think that he truly loved her in return. 

"I want to host a ball tonight before we leave for London in the morning." Perplexed Grace turned around in the chair to look at the real him not the one in the mirror.

"Who would we invite?"

"I have many friends, darling, who live around here," He began to explore her room trying not to seem obvious that he was searching for anything that he deemed unworthy of her, "Lots of family's too. People you might become acquainted with once we returned to London as they all live there as well."

Grace stood up from the chair and walked towards him, "I have not met or seen any of these friends?" She asked as Elliot found a book lying on the wood floor next to her bed, and dusted it off inspecting it.

Elliot looked up from the book towards his fiancee, "I simply wanted you to adjust to your life with me before I introduced you. They can be, let's just say they can be quite enthusiastic," He placed his hand on Grace's shoulders again pulling her to him as he placed a kiss on her forehead, "I only want what's best for you Grace. You know that don't you." 

His hands gripped tighter onto her as she thought of what to say before smiling at him and nodding. Elliot began to walk out of the room her book still in his hand. 

"Wonderful, I will let the cook know-"

"What are you doing with my book?"

Elliot clenched his jaw-closing his eyes and taking a breath before turning around and coming up with an answer, "I just thought you might want to put it in the library."

Grace shook her head, "No I'd rather keep it here, it's my book."

"Well, it's my!-" Elliot cut himself off trying to stay calm and took a deep breath taming his inner flame, "It is my house, and books go in the library. Besides, you shouldn't be reading such things."