Page 48 of A Duke Makes a Deal
“What a splendid day,” Holly said, distracting Clara, who smiled at her friend. “Thank you so much for including us.”
“Of course,” Clara said. “I would never get married without you present.”
“And I must say,” Holly said, her tone dipping as she leaned in. “I’m surprised by the duke. Are you sure this is the same man you wrote to me about?”
“Of course. Why do you ask?”
“Well, he seems so… Intense. You made him out to be some sort of gentle, sweet man. The man I saw didn’t come off as gentle. Or sweet.”
“That’s just because you haven’t spoken with him very much. He’s as sweet and gentle as any man I’ve ever met.”
Turning to see Silas, she noted that he appeared as he always did. Her heart thumped faster as her eyes swept over his dark hair and sharp jaw.
“Does he?” she asked faintly, quite enjoying the view of her husband.
She saw his head bent toward Derek as they exchanged words. Outwardly, he appeared unaffected by the day’s events, but Clara noticed his left hand, resting on the table’s surface. His thumbnail was digging into the knuckle of his index finger.
Frowning slightly, she decided to get closer to him once dinner had finished. He always seemed more relaxed when she was nearby. She turned back to her plate and tried to make conversation with Mrs. Geoffrey for the remainder of dinner.
After the dessert course had finished, champagne was served to everyone as a small string quartet began to play in the drawing room. Since the wedding party was so small, it would have been ridiculous to host a party in the ballroom, but Clara was quite content with the number of people in attendance. It felt intimate and sweet and far more real than she would assume a big, lavish affair in London would have been.
By the stroke of midnight, the guests were ready to retire and Clara said her good evenings beside Silas. Everyone wishedthem well, particularly Clara’s mother who looked as though she might cry.
“Oh, my sweet dear,” she said as she placed her hands on Clara’s shoulders. “My dear, sweet girl.”
“Do not cry, Mother,” Clara said, her own voice cracking with emotion. She glanced around at the other guests. “All is well.”
“I know, I know,” she said, unconvincingly, as she kissed Clara on the cheek.
“Come along dear,” her father said, pulling her gently away before glancing at Clara. “All is well.”
Clara’s throat suddenly tightened at her father’s reassurance and she nodded in response, worried that she wouldn’t be able to speak without crying.
The couple walked down the line of guests, thanking them all for coming. When they reached Derek, he seemed less than happy. To Clara’s surprise, Silas took her hand and moved slightly in front of her, not blocking but seemingly shielding Clara from her husband’s oldest confidant.
“Good night, your grace,” Derek said to Clara with the barest of nods before his eyes flickered to her husband. “Combe.”
“Trembley,” Silas said stiffly, before turning Clara away as they climbed the stairs.
Clara frowned, confused as to why there seemed to be tension between the two men. Curious, she squeezed Silas’s fingers and he tilted his head in question.
“It was kind of Lord Trembley and his family to travel all this way to show their support.” Silas remained quiet as they reached the landing. Inquisitive to a fault, Clara continued. “I suppose I should be grateful that he doesn’t hold my harsh criticisms of him from the night of the ball against me.” When Silas still said nothing, Clara frowned. “Or does he?”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about him,” Silas said. “He bears no ill will against you personally. He’s just not terribly pleased with this arrangement.”
Clara’s brows shot up.
“He’s not? Why?”
“Because he thinks I’ve made a mistake,” Silas said as they reached the second staircase.
Clara felt the color drain from her face.
“Oh dear.”
“I told you, don’t give him too much thought. He simply thinks he knows what’s best, for everyone, and becomes mulish when his advice isn’t heeded.” He paused. “He’ll come around. He always does.”
“Is it because he finds me lacking?”
