Page 51 of A Captain For Clarissa
“Rafael!” Marianne exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace him. “What on earth are you doing here?”
Alex clasped his hand, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I dare say this is a surprise, my friend. I thought you were tending to your estate in Portugal.”
Rafael ran a hand through his hair, suddenly self-conscious. “I was, but I realised... I realised I could not let Clarissa go without a fight.”
Marianne’s face softened, understanding dawning in her eyes. “Oh, Rafael. I had hoped you would come to your senses.”
She gestured for him to sit, her expression turning serious. “I must tell you, Clarissa wrote to you just a few days past. I posted the letter myself.”
Rafael’s heart leaped, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest. “She wrote to me? What did she say?”
Marianne shook her head, her red curls bouncing. “I am sorry, Rafael. It was not my place to read her correspondence. But I can tell you this - she has been miserable since returning to England. Her father is determined to see her wed, but she refuses every suitor he presents.”
Alex leaned forward, his eyes intense. “Rafael, if you truly love her, you must act now. Her father grows more insistent by the day.”
Rafael nodded, resolve settling over him like a mantle. “I do love her, with every fibre of my being. And I will not rest until she is mine.”
He stood, his posture straight and proud. “I will call on her tomorrow, and pray she will receive me. But first, I must find lodgings and make myself presentable.”
Marianne waved a hand, dismissing his concerns. “Nonsense, you will stay with us. We have more than enough room, and I insist upon it. You are our honoured guest - it is the leastwe can do to repay the wonderful hospitality you showed us in Portugal!”
Gratitude swelled in Rafael’s chest, warming him from within. “Thank you, both of you. Your friendship means the world to me.”
As he followed the suddenly much more welcoming butler to his chamber, Rafael’s mind raced with anticipation. Tomorrow, he would lay his heart at Clarissa’s feet, and hope against hope that she would accept it. For now, he could only pray, and dream of the moment he would hold her in his arms once more.
He had barely stepped over the threshold when Alex’s voice behind him made him turn.
“I say, Rafael… we had not planned to attend, but there is to be a ball tonight, and Marianne believes Clarissa will be there. Would you like to attend? Otherwise, you can call at her house tomorrow.”
“But I might not be granted admittance to her house,” Rafael said, thinking quickly. “The Earl cannot deny me speaking to her in public, however. Yes, Alex, I should very much like to attend, if it will be possible?”
“I’ll pen a note to the hostess now advising we’ll bring a guest.” Alex flashed him a grin. “The advantage of being a marquis is that people find it very hard to say no even if you’re making unreasonable requests! Do you have suitable clothing? Otherwise I dare say my suits will fit you well enough…”
“I have suitable clothing,” Rafael said. “I am still a commissioned officer in the Portuguese Navy, after all.”
“A military uniform is always acceptable.” Alex bowed his head. “I’ll send my man to help you bathe and shave!”
Rafael’s heart raced as he entered the glittering ballroom, his eyes searching the crowd for a glimpse of Clarissa. The sea of unfamiliar faces and the opulent surroundings of the London society ball were a far cry from the deck of his ship, but he navigated this new world with the same determination that had served him well on the high seas.
And then he saw her.
Clarissa stood across the room, resplendent in a gown of pale blue silk that accentuated her delicate features and sun-kissed hair. As if sensing his presence, she turned, their eyes meeting across the crowded ballroom. In that moment, the rest of the world fell away, and there was only her.
Rafael made his way through the throng of people, his eyes never leaving Clarissa’s face. As he drew closer, he saw the play of emotions across her features - surprise, joy, and a depth of feeling that took his breath away. In that moment, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she loved him, just as he loved her.
“Clarissa,” he breathed, taking her hand in his. “May I have this dance?”
She nodded, seemingly unable to speak, and he led her onto the dance floor. As they moved together in perfect harmony, Rafael marvelled at the feel of her in his arms, the way her hand fit so perfectly in his own. He had never felt as alive as this moment with Clarissa.
“I thought I would never see you again,” Clarissa whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Rafael tightened his hold on her, his heart aching at the thought of the pain he had caused her. “I am so sorry, my love. I was a fool to let my pride and jealousy come between us. But I am here now, and I will never leave you again.”
Clarissa’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “Do you truly mean that, Rafael?”
He nodded, his gaze intense and unwavering. “I love you, Clarissa. I have loved you from the moment I first saw you, and I will love you until my last breath. Please, tell me you feel the same.”
Her next words set his heart ablaze.
