Page 71 of A Duke Makes a Deal
“No, not at all,” he said softly.
Clara felt a thrill go through her, feeling particularly excited about the coming days. Surely this would be a week to remember.
Chapter Seventeen
Silas’s eyes openedwhile it was still dark.
He hadn’t been pleased to see Clara smiling so warmly at Mr. Lutz. He’d had to beat down the aggravating jealousy that all but consumed him in those moments when he entered the parlor yesterday afternoon. Upon discovering Violet’s connection to the young author, Silas had hoped to push his sister away from Mr. Lutz, but it was Clara’s close proximity to the smiling young man that had affected him most. He knew Clara wasn’t they type to try and make him jealous, but memories from his past had gripped him and refused to let go. Soon, he was feeling the familiar tinges of anxiety bubbling beneath the surface.
It bothered him to recognize his jealousy and anxiety seemed to be muddled together. Surely he wouldn’t start having attacks every time his wife smiled at someone.
Would he?
Silas had been up with the dawn that morning to join the others for the hunt. He had been able to garner that the baron was a patron to Mr. Lutz, which was even more of a reason to stop Violet’s infatuation with him. The poor man could barely afford to support himself, let alone a wife and children. Even though they would be able to live comfortably on Violet’s dowry, Silas wasn’t interested in his sister becoming some sort of benefactress to her own husband. He had no wish to see hersettle for someone who couldn’t even provide for her. No, it would be best to shift the young man’s focus a bit.
Mr. Lutz had gone off the main path that cut through the forest and seemed to be struggling to get his horse back to the others. Coming up alongside him, Silas noted how uncomfortable the young man was on horseback. Finally, Mr. Lutz noticed him.
“Ah, your grace,” Mr. Lutz said. “A fine day for a hunt, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes,” Silas said. “Are you fond of hunting, Mr. Lutz?”
“Well, I’ve not had the pleasure to do so often,” he said as he tried to duck beneath a branch. “But it seems to be a pleasant form of exercise.” Another branch caught his cheek and he batted it away. “To be honest, I’ve rarely ridden on horseback.”
“You don’t say.”
“Well, I suppose I’m not terribly clever at hiding my lack of riding skills. But there’s so rarely a need to ride in London. Not when I could walk or go by hackney.”
Silas wondered if the expense of keeping a horse stabled would also be an issue. Clearing his throat, he turned his horse to the left, avoiding a downed tree.
“I’ve heard you’ve written a series, for theTimes. Is that so?”
“Yes, I have. Although it hasn’t quite garnered the amount of attention I hoped it would. It is my own fault. I thought the people of London would be quite interested in the American wilds.”
Silas reined his horse to a stop.
“I didn’t know you had traveled to the Americas.”
“Oh, well… I haven’t. But I have read about it. That’s why I believe my next piece will do quite well.”
“What is your next piece about?”
Mr. Lutz smiled.
“It takes place in New Orleans. Fascinating city, or so I’m told. My antagonist, a Mr. Dubois, is a merchant. Well, not quite a merchant. He has hopes of becoming one.”
“Is that so?” Silas said, completely uninterested. He had planned to steer the young man to taking a holiday and focus more on novel writing than serials, but another opportunity had presented itself. “You are aware that the baron speaks very highly of your writing.”
Mr. Lutz flushed.
“Has he spoken about it with you?”
“He has. For my part, I find that what’s lacking in serials is authenticity.”
“Authenticity?”
“Yes. I find that I can always tell a writer who has experienced life’s tribulations compared to one who hasn’t.” He flicked his horse, as they continued through the woods. “For instance, have you readThe Solider, by E. S. Helms? About Colonel Lennox and the events leading up to the Battle of Quatre Bras?”
“I have, yes.”
