Page 69 of A Duke Makes a Deal
Violet blanched.
“Oh no, I couldn’t possibly speak to him. Not after everything I’ve written to him.”
“Chin up, it will be all right,” Clara said hurriedly as the man approached. She gave him a bright smile and gently turned Violet around to face him.
“Clara, this is Mr. David Lutz. Mr. Lutz, this is my sister-in-law, Clara Winters, the Duchess of Combe.”
“Your grace,” he said with a deep bow. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he added, coming back up, his eyes set on Violet. “Lady Violet. It is wonderful to see you again.”
“Y-yes,” Violet stuttered.
He turned back to Clara.
“I’m so grateful to have been invited to the baron’s hunt. I am anxious to meet Lady Violet’s brother.”
“Mr. Lutz…” Violet said with a slight shake of her head.
“Then it is fortunate that you would be invited to a party that my husband is attending,” Clara said, her brow knit with confusion over Violet’s uncharacteristic shyness. “Tell me, how are you acquainted with the baron?”
The young man’s eyes flashed with excitement.
“The baron has sponsored my writing career for two years now. He’s even been kind enough to mentor my work. He’s a talented writer himself and knows nearly everyone in publishing.” His cheer seemed to dissipate for a moment. “I hope I will be able to repay him for his kindness one day.”
“I’m sure you will,” Clara said, peering around the room. “I don’t see the baron at the moment.”
“No, I believe he and a few of the men have gone to see his latest acquisition.”
“What is that?”
“A brewery building,” Mr. Lutz said. “The baron finds himself enraptured by a new venture from time to time. Last year, he was fascinated by glass blowing. I’m not sure why, but he tends to obsess and buy a business outright—but then he bores of it just as quickly.”
“He must be a well-versed man to have so many interests.”
“He is, but just as fast as he falls in love, he falls out of it,” he said smiling. “Still, his resale skills are unparalleled. He’s always quite successful at relieving himself of those same businesses.”
“Then may he find many more indeed,” Clara said, matching the young man’s smile, while something seemed to tickle at the back of her neck.
Mr. Lutz began speaking with Violet, but Clara barely heard their conversation as her smile dipped away and her gaze drifted down past the young man to the floor just behind him. It was the strangest feeling. Almost as if she could tell she was being watched.
She turned slightly, her eyes snapped back up to the parlor entryway when she saw him. Silas was watching her intently as Lord Bairnsdale explained something to him.
Clara felt her heart thud against her chest, a strange, fluttery feeling seemed to climb up into her throat as she glanced at her husband. His face was blank, but she couldn’t help but feel pinned to the spot where she stood.
In the next minute, Silas approached her, leaving a slightly confused Lord Bairnsdale behind. Why should he appear so striking, Clara wondered as she pulled her shoulder back. He was so handsome and she was aware some might melt beneathhis hard gaze, but she felt rather pleased to be the entire focus of his attention.
When he finally reached her, she nearly spoke when he did.
“Violet,” Silas said, his tone unreadable.
Clara closed her mouth, suddenly aware of her sister-in-law at her side. Turning, she saw the pair leaning rather closely to one another. To Clara’s surprise, Mr. Lutz was holding Violet’s hand, palm up, and pointing at the creases with his forefinger. It was close to being improper.
Mr. Lutz dropped Violet’s hand, and Clara felt momentarily unbalanced.
“Your grace,” Mr. Lutz said with a bow. “I was just showing Lady Violet a palm reading trick I learned from a Romany woman in Austria when I was there this past spring. A most fascinating practice.”
“I’m sure it is,” Silas said, sounding as if he thought the exact opposite.
Neither man spoke and it was obvious Silas was dismissing the young man, but the worry on Violet’s face prompted Clara to try and smooth things over between the two.
