Page 2 of A Duke Makes a Deal
“Oh, Joseph, do not dare try to paint their courtship in a poor light. The viscount is simply in love. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, my dear. But I won’t pretend that it isn’t at least curious that the young lord happened upon our daughter when he did.” He faced Clara. “Of course, I would never find it strange in the slightest that any man under the sun would fall in love with you, dear daughter, as soon as they became aware of your merits. You are quite perfect in my eyes. But then I’m not an impartial judge, nor am I a disinterested party. As your father, it is my duty to see you well settled. I would be failing in my responsibility if I didn’t at least express my concerns about Lord Dilworth.”
“Hush, Joseph. Someone will hear and think you’re disparaging the viscount,” Mary said, peering over her shoulder as they walked.
“Settle down, dearest. I only wish to approach it from a logical point of view,” he countered before turning back to Clara. “Now I know it isn’t unheard of to fall in love with members outside one’s social circle. But let us recount the last, oh, five marriage announcements written in theTimesabout peers who marry wealthy heiresses. And should we not also take into consideration his presence at the salon? It was a discussion on financial literacy for heiresses. His attendance was suspicious, to say the least.”
“I’m well aware that without my inheritance, the viscount would probably never look twice at me,” Clara said calmly. “But I hardly think a man’s lack of funding can determine his character. Perhaps he inherited his debt and is no more responsible for it than I am.”
Mary nodded furiously at her daughter’s words.
“If anything, the viscount is very astute and enterprising to have attended such an event,” Clara continued. “And if the result of a practical act is an acquaintanceship, which led to love, which will result in a happy marriage, well, it’s hardly an issue, is it?”
Joseph shook his head and smiled at his daughter, his deep-set eyes shining slightly.
“Dear daughter, how can I possibly be happy to see you married off when I will have no one to argue with when you are gone?”
Clara smiled and hugged her father.
“Mama will argue with you.”
“I shall do no such thing,” Mary interrupted. “Your father enjoys talking circles around everyone. Only you enjoy entertaining his dizzying speech.”
Clara tried ignoring her sadness at the prospect of moving out of her parents’ house. She so enjoyed her discussions with Papa. They would spend hours trying to convince the other to change their mind. Then, having done so, they would proceed to argue the opposite point, just to see if they could get the other to change their mind once more. It was a game that she would miss dreadfully upon her marriage to the viscount. There would be letters and visits, of course, but it wouldn’t be the same.
However, everything changed, she reminded herself as she set her shoulders back a fraction. She would meet her new life with determination and an open mind, just as her papa had always taught her.
Clara always hoped to make a match like her parents. They had such an easy and compatible marriage and had always been good helpmates to one another. While they hadn’t been a love match at first, it had grown into one. That was perhaps the most charming thing about their story. They had married out of practicality and love had bloomed all on its own. Her mother had often said that her father’s respect towards her had been the deciding factor that made her say yes when he proposed, and it was that consideration that Clara longed for most. Respect from one’s spouse was a rare and precious gift. She had witnessed somany of her friends marry men who didn’t seem very interested in their wives’ opinions.
But Clara’s father had always supported his daughter’s analytical thoughts and Clara only hoped to find someone who was equally curious. Dilworth had been terribly curious about her ever since their first meeting and as a gentleman, he displayed the utmost respect towards her. Clara was very pleased about it indeed. And if she wasn’t in love yet, surely she would fall in love soon, and with who better than a handsome, young viscount who already avowed to love her devotedly?
As her papa recognized several older gentlemen who were gathered around the refreshments table, he took Clara’s hand from the crook of his arm, squeezed her fingers, and headed over to meet his associates. Meanwhile, Clara and her mother were approached by a short, plump woman with refined features and kind eyes. She was dressed in a deep, ambiguine colored gown, with glittering jewels wrapped around her neck and set in her dark curls.
“Welcome to Elswick Terrace, Mrs. Woodvine, Miss Woodvine,” the woman said as Clara curtsied deeply, just as her mother had taught her. Though she didn’t know who this woman was, she could tell by the gems that adorned her neck that she was a lady of importance. “My son informed me that he extended an invitation to you and your family tonight. Evidently congratulations are in order to you and Lord Dilworth. However,” she said, looking around, “as neither my son or Lord Dilworth is present, I shall have to introduce myself. I am Lady Trembley.”
“Oh, my lady,” Mary said, curtseying again. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance. But the engagement is not quite official. The viscount has not yet asked my daughter.”
“Oh, no?” the countess said, turning to Clara. “I was under the impression Dilworth had plans to announce his engagement tonight.”
Mary couldn’t help but smile widely at her daughter, who felt rather silly for being the center of both women’s attention. Clara wasn’t sure why, but she felt unsure all of a sudden. Shaking her head, she tried to brush off her feelings and gave the women a small smile.
“I should be fortunate indeed if the viscount should bestow such an honor on me,” she said demurely.
The countess’s eyes narrowed slightly as she scrutinized Clara.
“My dear, it will be he who is lucky,” she said quietly. “Never forget that.”
Clara could tell that Mary was shocked by the countess’s words, but all she could do was grin.
“Yes, my lady,” she said before another guest distracted the countess.
She left Clara and Mary as she glided away, but they were not alone long. In the next moment, Hubert was upon them.
Clara’s stomach seemed to buzz at the sight of him. Though there was not anything exceptionally striking in his fair complexion, regular features, and light hair, Clara thought he was quite dashing, especially once one had to chance to get to know him. He was always smiling and impeccably dressed, and Clara doubted there was a man anywhere in the world that was a more perfect example of what a gentleman should be. While he was slight in the shoulders, he appeared relatively fit and she had come to like that they were the same height, feeling that it gave her equality to him.
“Mrs. Woodvine,” the viscount said with a nod before turning to speak to Clara, his round, blue eyes shined with eagerness. “My dearest,” he said. “I’m sorry I could not escort you and yourfamily to tonight’s ball. I had a previous engagement I could not avoid.”
“It’s quite all right,” Clara said. “We just were introduced to the dowager countess.”
