Page 59 of A Duke's Temptation Poetess
“Be that as it may, she keeps plotting for how to make that happen,” Clarissa said awkwardly.
“Plotting?” Jane asked. “Do you mean that you came to Bath because of His Grace?”
Clarissa winced. She could hear the implications in her cousin’s voice.Do you mean that you did not travel here because you wished to see my mother and me?
“That was my mother’s aim, yes,” Clarissa admitted. “But I…we, I am sure she also wanted to visit you.”
“Maybe you did,” Jane said, her voice sad. “All right. Your mother unceremoniously put you in a carriage bound for Bath because she wants you to marry His Grace.”
“Yes,” Clarissa replied, “but there is more. My mother keeps encouraging me to arrange for us to be caught in a compromising position.”
Jane hissed between her teeth. “To force him to wed you? You refused, surely.”
“Many times,” Clarissa said. “At first, it was because I felt it was morally wrong. But I began to develop feelings for him. I am fond of him, and I am confused by that.”
“You have fallen in love with him,” Jane said, clapping her hands together. “Oh, Clarissa, that is so wonderful!”
“Is it?” Clarissa asked. “I cannot honestly pursue him, knowing that my mother has conspired to put me in a compromising position with him.”
Jane’s face softened. “But if you love him…”
“I do,” Clarissa admitted quietly. “It is only that I feel as if my mother’s actions have marred any relationship that we might have. She will always be a shadow over us. But I also do not believe he holds any tender feelings for me.”
“He must! How could he not? Then you must tell him the truth of what has happened,” Jane said. “Just be honest with him. Tell him that you love him and have never tried to be in a compromising position with him.”
Clarissa thought guiltily of the compromising situation shehadbeen in with His Grace. Could she tell him the truth, and would he believe that their meeting was just a coincidence? A trick of fate, rather than a planned encounter meant to force him into a future marriage?
“You are right,” Clarissa said. “I must tell him.”
She was not sure how she would do it, but Clarissa knew that she must tell His Grace at once.
“I will tell him tonight,” Clarissa said. “And I will also advise you to tell Lord Watford how you feel about him.”
“I thought you had reservations about his character,” Jane said.
“I do, but I also know that you are besotted with him. Lord Watford makes you happy, and you deserve to be with someone who makes you happy. I suspect that telling him how you feel about him might bring out his true character.”
Jane clasped Clarissa’s hands to hers. “It will be a night to remember.”
It would be; for better or worse.
Chapter 28
Colin stood at the corner of Deborah’s ballroom, watching as the ton danced a waltz. As expected, his thoughts went to Lady Clarissa’s poetry. He must admit how he felt to Lady Clarissa at once.
At last, the lady herself appeared, and Colin’s breath caught in his throat. She was a vision in pink silk and pearls, as beautiful as the most fragrant rose from his sister’s garden. Colin crossed the floor, eager to reach her and confess his innermost thoughts. He was not certain how he would do it, but if he could only get Lady Clarissa’s attentions, he would be able to find his courage.
Lord Creshire emerged from the crowd, standing between Lady Clarissa and Colin. His blood boiled, and it took all Colin’s will power not to curl his hands into fists. “May I dance the next set with you?” Lord Creshire asked.
Colour bloomed across Lady Clarissa’s face. “My Lord—”
“Regrettably, she cannot,” Colin replied. “Lady Clarissa has already agreed to dance the next set with me.”
Lord Creshire’s smile never faltered, but Colin caught the brief flare of anger in his eyes. The man had some nerve even coming to Deborah’s ball after what he had done. From across the room, Aunt Matilda caught his eye. She levelled a stern glare in the Earl of Creshire’s direction, confirming that one other person at least knew that the villainous lord was in the ballroom.
“Ah, I suppose that I shall seek the lady out later in the evening,” Lord Creshire said. “Apologies, my Lady.”
Lady Clarissa’s smile was tense. Colin suspected that he was the cause of her hesitation. Guilt rose within him, but he would make this right. He would tell Lady Clarissa everything that he felt in the depths of his soul, and hopefully, Watford would be right. Lady Clarissa would forgive him.
