Page 64 of A Duke's Temptation Poetess
“I should have supported you at the ball,” His Grace said. “While your mother should not have planned that, Lord Creshire purposefully intended to humiliate me. You were an innocent victim in his schemes.”
“What?”
“Some years ago, Lord Creshire believed himself to be deeply in love with my sister Deborah, and he convinced himself that she returned his affections. She did not, instead favouring Russell,” Colin said. “The Earl tried to sabotage Deborah’s engagement by arranging for her and himself to be caught in a compromising position. I learned of his plan and managed to thwart him.”
“Oh…” Clarissa whispered, her mind whirling. “He…he really did that?”
“Yes, and he was not invited to Deborah’s ball. We had hoped that we could prevent him from causing a scene or ruining the ball, but we obviously failed. He invited himself to the party.”
“I am so sorry,” Clarissa said.
She was thinking of poor Lady Roswood, who had nearly been thwarted from marrying the love of her life, and of Lord Roswood. They both must have been so uncomfortable with Lord Creshire’s presence at their estate.
“So am I,” His Grace said. “You taught me to love, Clarissa, and I…I would like to keep learning from you. I have fallen madly in love with you, and I cannot imagine my life without you as my wife.”
“You cannot truly mean that,” Clarissa said, pulling her hand from his grasp. “Even if I did not concoct that scheme with my mother, I still did not tell you about it for so long. I should have been honest with you.”
“You were in a difficult situation,” His Grace said.
Clarissa shook her head. This was the best possible reaction to what had happened. He had forgiven her. But she did not deserve his forgiveness. Not in the least.
“But I still made so many errors,” Clarissa said. “Can we even—even if we wanted to be together, how can we? Our union has already had a scandal.”
“Union,” His Grace said, his lips curling into a small, soft smile. “Are you thinking that I am proposing marriage?”
“Are you not?” Clarissa asked, returning his smile with one of her own.
“I am,” he said. “What do you think? If we are together, I believe that we can conquer any scandal.”
Clarissa bit her lip. His Grace’s eyes had not left her face since they sat together beneath the tree. She did not deserve him. He was too kind and forgiving.
“I love you,” the Duke of Hartingdale said.
But are you going to let your own feelings keep you from having a man who loves you?
Clarissa’s heartbeat quickened. “I love you, too, Colin,” she said.
His Grace’s eyes brightened. He drew her closer and brought his head near hers. They kissed, bringing their lips together. Colin’s lips pressed against hers and sent sparks blazing through her. At last, they pulled apart.
Clarissa gasped for air, her chest heaving against the fabric of her dress. Colin chuckled, the sound reverberating from deep inside his throat. “That was pleasant.”
Clarissa’s face warmed. “I almost feel as if you have planned this. Where did Lord Watford take Jane?”
“Around the bend,” Colin said. “They will be working their way back here soon. Ah now, as a matter of fact.”
Colin tilted his head down the path, and Clarissa did, indeed, see her cousin and Lord Watford, arms linked.
“Is he a good man, Lord Watford?” Clarissa asked.
“The best,” Colin replied.
Clarissa smiled. “Jane likes him a great deal.”
“I had gotten that impression,” Colin admitted.
Lord Watford grinned as he joined them. “Well, you both look very happy, indeed! Am I to assume that we are celebrating something?”
“Oh, yes,” Clarissa said, grinning at Colin with unabashed joy. “We will be celebrating something glorious.”
