Blinded by Grace: Book Five of the Cotillion Ball series (Crimson Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page A

need.”
    “Mother, please. Father has plenty to keep up with without you meddling in the bank’s business.”
    “You may call it meddling, but I call it good parenting. If you need time to find yourself a wife, I’m sure your father won’t mind absorbing some of your duties for a few months.”
    Despite his precarious predicament, Halwyn blew out a long breath as he grinned at his mother. “Now I understand what Ginger, Heather, and Jasmine went through. You are tenacious once your mind is made up. Those poor women you foisted on me last night were every bit as embarrassed as I was. But, I promise you, I don’t need your help.”
    “We’ll see,” Charlotte replied as she turned and strode from the room. Halwyn sighed, as he realized this season was not going to be an easy one for him. His mother had big plans, and last night was merely the tip of the iceberg. He had to do something fast, or his mother’s machinations from last night would be repeated incessantly for the next few months.

CHAPTER FOUR
    In the couple of days since the Cotillion, Grace had been to the theater with her mother and stepfather, and had been riding in the park with her lady’s maid. In both instances, she searched eagerly for Halwyn, hoping to talk to him again. Her plan was coming together, at least in her mind, and Halwyn was going to play a vital part. But she needed to talk to him, and explain what she was proposing, before anything could happen. Sadly, he was absent each time, although his parents were in attendance at the theater. Mrs. Fitzpatrick had always been a favorite of Grace’s, and she was eager to renew their friendship. She approached Charlotte Fitzpatrick at the dessert table after the performance.
    “Mrs. Fitzpatrick, how nice to see you again,” Grace said.
    “Yes, my dear, it’s been far too long since you’ve paid us a visit.” She gave Grace a warm hug. “Although Heather and Jasmine are both married now, and off on their own, you’re still welcome for tea anytime. I’d love for us to catch up with each other.”
    “I’ll have to plan on a visit. Now, which of these desserts do you have your eye on?”
    Charlotte’s gaze flickered over the array of confections spread out before them. “I’m not much for chocolate, but the lemon tart seems to be calling to me.”
    Grace smiled. “Well, chocolate and I get along just fine, so I’ll take a slice of the dark layered cake.”
    They sat, and each took a bite. “Perfection,” Charlotte declared. “Now, tell me dear, how has the season been for you so far?”
    Sophie Huffman interrupted their quiet conversation as she took the seat next to her daughter. “Good evening, Charlotte. It’s good to see you again. We’ve been so busy, trying to get our dear Grace married off, we haven’t had time to just pay a social call. We’ll have to schedule you in.”
    “Well, Jasmine and Parr are planning a weekend party when the racetrack opens for the season in May, so I’ll be certain you get an invitation. Perhaps we can catch up ‘socially’ then.” Charlotte’s voice had a bit of frost to it, not that Grace blamed her. Grace’s mother was being rude, and Grace would not be the least bit offended if Charlotte recanted on her invitation. But it would be a perfect opportunity for her plan to morph from an idea into reality if she did spend the weekend with the Fitzpatricks. She’d have to do what she could to help push the invitation along, despite her mother’s attitude.
    “I regret not being able to spend more time with Jasmine, but between her dress shop and her husband, she doesn’t have a great many hours to spare anymore. Perhaps I’ll stop into the store and see her in the next few weeks.”
    Charlotte reached out and took Grace’s hand, squeezing it gently. “Jasmine would love to see you. She misses her twin sister, and would enjoy your company, I’m positive. You know she’s pregnant now, with their first child? And she’s become such