mocha hues were attentive to his books. simon could not quite remember a time in his life when he did not know he would become the duke of hastings one day. it was not a happy certainty, the type of title he would wear with pride. quite the opposite, really. the dukedom only served as a memory of the father who had rejected him over and over and over, the father who had cared more about siring an heir than his mother ( who cared more about continuing the lineage than being a father. ) yet, he cared about clyvedon. no, he loved it there. it was his home, where he had grown up while his father hid in london and avoided him. as such, he cared about its people. it was the main reason why he took his new title seriously. he may hate being called hastings, but he refused to become the monster who had held the title before him. it was also why he had spent hours going through every balance book to try and help the fair people of clyvedon. he was focused, so much so that he did not hear her walk in.
oh, simon knew she was coming. lady danbury had made a point to send his notice that grace had returned from her travels and wanted to visit and truly? it would be the highlight of his week. but he did not expect her till later that week. except he would recognize that smell anywhere, eyes drifting up with a certainty he was imagining things. but she was there, smiling at him, and his heart felt full once more. grace was there. ❝ i shall have to fire jeffries for not announcing you were here. ❞ he announced, raising an eyebrow as he motioned for her to come closer. they were family, practically. if there was one person the staff obeyed besides simon? it was grace. he would not be surprised had she convinced them all to keep her arrival a secret. ❝ i thought you were only coming later. i have been going through books all day and there is no dinner and... ❞ he sighed, watching as @wistlton placed a hand on his shoulder before kissing his forehead. somehow, it was exactly what he needed. grace could always tell, somehow. ❝ oh how i missed you, grace baxton. ❞ simon whispered at last, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
