Page 86 of A Duke Makes a Deal
“Have the little love birds been caught yet?” Cynthia’s voice sounded from behind him.
Clara ignored her, focusing instead on her husband.
“Lord Valle told me that he locked Violet and Fredrick away. I’m not sure where but he went to undo it. I’m worried that her reputation is at risk.” Clara nodded at Cynthia, causing Silas to turn around. “Lord Valle said it was her idea and that she somehow forced his hand to commit it.”
“How dare he say that,” Cynthia hissed. “I should turn him out for being such a weakling.”
“What game are you playing at?” Silas bellowed at Cynthia, who seemed startled by his tone. “Violet has never done anything except support you, even when you left.”
“It’s just a little fun, Silas,” she said, her brow furrowing. “We used to have such fun together.”
“Stay the hell away from me and my family,” he thundered.
Clara’s hand went to his bicep and stilled his rage. The violent jealousy that shone in Cynthia’s eyes made Clara curious.
“There’s no time for that. Find them, Silas,” Clara said earnestly.
With one last disgusted look at Cynthia, he tore from the room. Clara turned to follow him, eager to be away from this woman, but Cynthia’s voice stopped her.
“He’ll eventually come back, you know,” she said, her shrill tone filled with bitterness. “Silas and I are meant for one another. We don’t belong with anyone else. We are one and the same, if you will. He may think he can live without the pain, but he’s wrong. It’s an addiction, and no sweet kisses from you or any other woman can block it out. It’s too delicious to stay away from. When he realizes you can’t give him what he wants, he’ll come back to me.”
Clara turned slowly to face the woman she had once believed was her rival. Rival would be the word, if she felt like shecompared to her at all, but she didn’t. Clara would always be happy because she was pleased with herself. Cynthia would never be content because she couldn’t bear to be at peace with anyone, including herself.
It almost made Clara feel sorry for what she was about to do.
Almost.
She watched a smug smile appear on Cynthia’s lips as Clara walked towards her.
“What could he possibly see in someone like—” SMACK. “AHH!”
Clara shook out her hand, the sting biting her palm. Never in her life had she ever struck someone and she was surprised by how much it hurt.
“You stupid cow!” Cynthia screamed through the hand she held against her face.
“Stay away from my husband,” Clara warned. “I am not as refined as other ladies of my position, but do not mistake my lack of polish for a lack of conviction. I may not know how to play clever games, but I will not tolerate threats to my family.” Cynthia seethed at her as Clara rolled her shoulders back. She took a deep breath and continued. “Do not cross me, Cynthia. Silas does not belong to you anymore. Do you understand?”
“You stupid—”
“If you try to hurt anyone I care about again, I will not hesitate to use every bit of my position and power to see that you never step foot in England again. From what I understand, your situation here is already quite precarious. I’ve no doubt you were hoping to marry Lord Valle to try and repair your reputation. If you were set on that plan, I suggest you leave and chase after him before he gets away.” She took a step towards Cynthia, who took a step back. “Do you understand me?” Clara said slowly.
It was evident that she wanted to argue, but Clara’s words were not hollow. It was apparent that Cynthia would not bewelcomed into the homes of any members of the peerage so long as she held the stigma of her divorce. Even if she did manage to marry Lord Valle, she would be shunned if Clara wished her to be. In all honesty, Clara was in a very powerful position.
Realization seemed to break over Cynthia, and defeat immediately began to seep through her. After a moment of silence, she nodded.
“Yes. Yes, just leave me alone.”
“I plan to,” Clara said, turning on her heel as she left the room.
Once she was in the hallway, Clara let guilt wash over her. Never in her entire life had she ever sunk so low as to harm another person through physical violence. In fact, she had often thought those who acted out and claimed to be controlled by their baser emotions were foolish. Reprehensible, even.
Lord forgive her.
She would be lying if she didn’t admit a small part of her found a bit of satisfaction in knocking Cynthia off her proverbial high horse. It was an instance she hoped never to repeat or return to, but she also knew that she would not hesitate if she found Cynthia lurking about her family again.
All the sense of rightful justice she felt in putting Cynthia in her place did not take away from the very real pain that Silas seemed unwilling to love her. Perhaps he had been right all along. Perhaps their marriage was one of friendship and nothing more.
When she reached her rooms, she found Silas and a distraught Violet, who was weeping openly.
