Page 78 of A Duke Makes a Deal
“Strength is something you know nothing about,” he said quietly, ignoring the fury in her eyes. “Although from what I can tell of your upcoming nuptials, that must be your plan with Valle.”
“How dare you?” she asked as her hand came up to strike him, but he was too quick. Once again, he caught her wrist in his hand and as his grip tightened, he saw her desire heighten. Her moods flickered like the flame of a candle. “Oh, Silas.”
He dropped her hand again.
“Stay away, Cynthia. Or so help me God, I will finish you.”
He turned and tore open the door, storming down the hallway without a backward glance. He was nearly around the corner when he heard her yell from behind, her voice tinged with sick amusement.
“I wish you would! I truly wish you would.”
Chapter Nineteen
Clara heard theactors perform their lines, but her head and heart were miles away. So, that was Cynthia, the woman who had robbed Silas of his heart and broken it into a thousand pieces. She hadn’t expected her reaction to be so visceral, but she hadn’t been able to stop herself.
When the woman had first entered the library, it seemed no one had noticed, except Clara had experienced a chill just before Cynthia had spoken. A flash of pain shone in Silas’s eyes before he turned to face her and while he had originally stepped in front of Clara, she had felt the distinct need to protect him from Cynthia, as much as she could.
She had held her head high and tried desperately to sound indifferent and dignified. She knew Silas was helplessly tied to her. It hurt her heart to think that he could love a woman like Cynthia and not her, but she couldn’t ponder on that for too long or her heart would truly start to ache. Instead, she did her best to spend another hour dictating the others into positions and reminding them about their enunciation, while also keeping Fredrick and Violet away from one another. Those two seemed hellbent on bickering for argument’s sake and while Clara might have enjoyed watching the verbal parley any other time, her mind was indeed elsewhere.
Just then, Holly came to sit next to her.
“Are you all right?” she asked softly as they watched the others perform. Clara nodded, but didn’t speak. “I’m so sorry that happened.”
“What could be done?” Clara asked honestly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I wonder if John was aware of who she truly is,” Holly said, her brow knitting together. “It does not seem like something he would manage on purpose.”
“I doubt the baron was aware of her coming. She seems the kind of woman to show up when she chooses to, doesn’t she?”
“I suppose. Perhaps I should speak with John about it. He could ask them to leave—”
“Oh goodness, no, Holly. I will not be cowed by that woman. Not in front of Silas.”
The mention of her husband’s name caused Holly to appear even more worried.
“He must be furious.”
“He isn’t pleased.”
“I can’t imagine what it would be like. To be suddenly face to face with someone who was once your spouse. What he must be thinking.”
Although Holly had clearly meant to be sympathetic to Silas, Clara couldn’t help but feel as if her friend had pointed out something grievous. What would it be like to be faced with someone who he had been so intimate with? Clara had never intruded on Silas’s private yearnings, but she had found herself wondering what had transpired between Cynthia and him.
Silas didn’t appear pleased at all at the sight of her, but would there not be memories between them? Clara felt her face grow warm with jealousy as the others finished the scene. She mumbled a few words to them before leaving the library, eagerly beating down the feelings of envy that were overwhelming her. In truth, by the time Clara reached her rooms to get ready fordinner, she was less than excited to happen upon Silas, who was seated at the desk in their room.
“Oh,” she said, coming into the room, stalling for a moment at the sight of him. He was without a jacket and his shirtsleeves were rolled up, probably in an effort to keep ink from getting on his cuffs. She ignored the surge of need and swallowed. “I didn’t realize you were here.”
He stood up and came towards her, and she felt trapped.
“How are you?” he asked, his eyes filled with concern.
“Fine,” she said, feeling uneasy.
He stood before her, unmoving for a long moment before he spoke again.
“I think we should talk,” he said and for some reason Clara felt a warning shoot through her. “About getting through the next few days.”
Was he going to tell her that he was still in love with Cynthia? That he would resume some sort of relationship with her? That their marriage was a mistake?
