Page 54 of A Duke Makes a Deal
“You said that he spoke of friendship, Clara. That’s more than most people have. Especially in these grand marriages that involve peers.”
“Yes, I know. And I knew that there wasn’t any sort of romantic love between us when I accepted his proposal, but…” Clara paused and Silas was eager to know what she was about to say.
“But what?”
“I don’t know.” Her voice was soft and somewhat hopeless. It made Silas feel uncertain, but then in the next moment she seemed to recover. “This is a dizzying maze. Perhaps we should ring the bell and have one of the maids come to rescue us.”
Silas felt insecure at Clara’s answer, but he wouldn’t retreat. Instead, he coughed loudly and took several loud steps as he came into the clearing, revealing himself to the two ladies.
Clara’s friend Holly went wide eyed at his approach and he wondered if she was rather scared of him, given the way her eyes shifted downward. Clara turned around and he saw genuine surprise, in her curious grey-green eyes.
“I saw you lost your way from the house,” he said, nodding toward the windows high above them. “I thought the chivalrous thing to do would be to rescue you.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” the redhead said. “We have been lost for some time.”
“We were finding our way through,” Clara said. “I believe there is a secret to this maze.”
“A secret?” he repeated, looking down at her. “That wouldn’t be very sporting, now, would it?”
“No, I suppose not,” she said, though she sounded unconvinced. “Very well, lead the way.”
He nodded and turned.
“Follow me,” he said.
He knew the maze had a fairly simple exit from that point, but he made a point to make a wrong turn here and there, feigning confusion. Clara’s companion seemed worried, but the inquisitive stare Clara gave him proved that he wasn’t fooling her and he wondered what it would take to trick his clever little wife.
His wife. The words gave his heart pause as he continued out of the maze and up to the house. He wanted very much to ignore the feeling of possessiveness that enveloped him, knowing that it had been the exact reason Cynthia had abandoned him. His need to be in control, to possess had been his undoing and while Clara was her exact opposite in every way, he doubted very much that she would allow his boorish, jealous behavior to manifest.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed the feelings away and turned back to wait.
“Do you have plans to go to London this season, Miss Smyth?” he asked, trying to be conversational.
“Oh, no, your grace, I couldn’t possibly attend this year’s season.” She paused and gave Clara a pointed glance. “Next year perhaps. My sister will eventually make her debut, though not for another year or so.”
“Well, if you ever require any assistance, don’t hesitate to ask,” he said. “I am aware what you mean to my wife.” He paused, having not wished to saywifein conversation and certainly not out loud, fearing his own reaction. “We should be very happy to perhaps sponsor your siblings, if they are so inclined to accept it.”
“Oh! That is very kind of you, your grace,” Holly spoke, her eyes lighting up. “I can’t imagine a more generous offer.”
“It would be no trouble,” he said, noting the expression in Clara’s eyes. She stared at him with a calculating glare. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Yes of course,” Holly said.
“Actually, I had something rather important to discuss with you,” Clara said loudly, taking a step towards him. “I’ll be right along, Holly.”
The redhead nodded and disappeared up the stone steps that led up into the house. Silas did not move, only watched as Clara turned around to face him. He wondered if she would be pleased with his offer.
“That truly was a generous proposal,” she said, her tone emotionless.
“Was it?” he asked, feigning a casual air.
“Yes, especially considering Holly is planning to marry this year.” Clara squinted her eyes. “A sponsorship from someone like you could give her a reason to reconsider.”
Silas suspected that she believed he had overheard the conversation. He had, but he wasn’t going to let her know it.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to come between her and a marriage prospect, especially if she is fond of the young man.”
Clara took a step towards him.
