Page 63 of A Duke's Temptation Poetess
“No, but I feel like this is something that you and Lady Clarissa can resolve, if you will just speak to one another,” Deborah said. “I think she is worth fighting for. Your love for her is worth fighting for.”
Colin eyed her over his glass of scotch. “That is easier said than done,” he said.
“I am aware,” Deborah said, climbing to her feet. “I just felt like I ought to make my thoughts known to you. We all like Lady Clarissa and think that you should speak with her. At least, hear what she has to say.”
Colin sighed. In truth, he knew what he had to do. He delayed only because the small possibility that Lady Clarissamighthave plotted against him wounded him so deeply that he could scarcely bear it. “I will think about it.”
Deborah smiled fondly at him. “You had better.”
***
Clarissa had not left her bedchamber at the Spencer’s residence since the events on the Roswood Estate. Try as she might, Clarissa could not keep Colin’s hurt expression out of her mind. She had planned on spending a third day in her bedchamber, but Jane had coaxed her into going for a walk to Royal Crescent.
Clarissa went along because she did not wish to upset her cousin. She had disappointed enough people. “The weather is lovely,” Jane said. “I cannot believe our luck at having so many fair days in a row.”
“Mmm hmm,” Clarissa replied.
“The sunlight really makes it easy to appreciate the beauty of Bath,” Jane said.
It was beautiful, but Clarissa found that she could not focus on any of the scenery. Everything reminded her of the Duke of Hartingdale, the one love of her life, and the romance she had seen burst into flames before her very eyes.
“Ah, here we are,” Jane said. “Lord Watford! What a pleasant surprise!”
Clarissa started, so lost in her thoughts that she did not see the lord at first. He stood by the entrance of the park, his face brightening as he saw their approach. Clarissa drew in a sharp gasp as she spied Lord Watford’s companion. It was His Grace. Clarissa’s knees felt weak. The Duke of Hartingdale smiled warmly, as if that terrible night had never happened.
“I have something special I wish to show you,” Lord Watford said, offering his arm to Jane.
She hesitated at the sight of his offered arm. That night at Deborah’s ball had been humiliating.. Clarissa began to suspect that this may have been planned. Did he truly expect her to forgive him so easily? To pretend that there was nothing wrong? She forced down the lump that rose in her throat and reluctantly linked her arm in his.
They would talk about that terrible night. She was sure of it. Clarissa let out a shuddering breath. Her stomach lurched, and she had the wild thought that she might be violently ill. They began their walk in silence, following Jane and Lord Watford. They were at so great a distance that Clarissa could not quite hear any of what the couple was saying, but she heard excited sounds and the odd laugh punctuate the air.
Eventually, they reached a giant tree, a picnic prepared for them. Clarissa seated herself by the Duke of Hartingdale. “I wanted to talk with you,” His Grace said.
“I suppose we should,” Clarissa replied.
His Grace grasped her hand, and Clarissa’s breath hitched. The gesture reminded her too much of that dreadful night. “My Lady,” he said. “I wanted to apologise. I feel as though I reacted poorly the other night.”
“Oh,” Clarissa said. “But you did nothing wrong.”
“I could have reacted better, though. You see,” His Grace said, “my father wed my mother under similar circumstances. There was a compromising position involved, and then I saw my father behave like he did. I swore that I would never be like him.”
“And my mother wanted to do that to you,” Clarissa said quietly.
“Go on, please.” His Grace’s eyes remained intently focused on her face, as if nothing in the world was as important as her answer.
“Only her,” Clarissa replied. “I did not want to be involved in her scheme, and I intended to tell you about it.”
“Yes,” the Duke of Hartingdale said. “You were going to tell me that night, but we were interrupted by Lord Creshire.”
“I did not realise he knew,” Clarissa said, frowning. “I cannot think of when he must have heard. My mother and I argued about her plan so many times.”
“So often?”
Clarissa bit her lip and nodded. “I am sorry. I should have told you that was her plan from the start, but I thought there was no danger when I did not know you. I would never want to seek you out, much less happen in a compromising position. And once I became closer to you, I began to worry that you would distrust me if you learned the truth. I felt like my mother’s plans were poisoning any relationship we might have.”
“I believe you.”
Clarissa felt as if she could not breathe. All the air seemed gone from her lungs.
