by Georgie Lee
Clara sat down on the leather sofa, the coldness of the material seeping through her gown along with a growing weariness. She should never have allowed Anne to talk her into coming here.
‘Clara, are you all right?’ Anne entered the library and peered about as if she’d never been in this room before. ‘You left breakfast so quickly.’
‘I’m fine, only Lord Westbook was making a nuisance of himself.’
‘Isn’t he always?’
‘He outdid himself this morning by warning me to be a little more careful where Lord Delamare was concerned, as if how the two of us regard one another is any of his business. Then he told me something quite shocking.’
‘About Lady Frances?’
Clara jumped to her feet in shock. ‘You know about her, too, and didn’t think to warn me?’
‘His past relationship with her has no bearing on the present situation.’
‘Of course it does. How am I to form a true opinion of him if I don’t have all the facts?’ Her sister-in-law could be as bad as Lord Westbook when it came to indulging in other people’s affairs, especially Clara’s, except this time she hadn’t stepped in when it would have been to Clara’s advantage for her to do so. She needed to have a conversation with her sister-in-law about sharing all the gossip with her, not just some of it.
Anne crossed her arms and slid Clara a sly look. ‘A proper opinion? Is that what you’re forming with Lord Delamare?’
Clara went to the nearest bookshelf and pulled out a book to flip through, not really caring what it was about. ‘There is nothing between us. We were paired up and we are being cordial and friendly with one another.’
‘Is that what they call it now?’
‘That is exactly what it’s called.’ Clara shoved the book back into the hole in the bookcase. ‘Besides, what am I supposed to do, ignore him?’
‘I must be very right for you to be so cross with me.’
‘I’m not cross, I simply hate for people to think there is more to it when there isn’t.’ And there wasn’t, or so she continued to say, but it was clear she wasn’t fooling anyone, especially not herself. If he had tried to kiss her last night, she would have allowed it and this troubled her as much as trying to work out Hugh’s real character. Oh, but the man was frustratingly perplexing. ‘Why are you so interested in me and Lord Delamare? Surely there are better, more eligible men that you and Adam could throw in my path.’
‘Not this week, there isn’t,’ Anne answered as if this were not a very grave subject.
Clara huffed in frustration, forcing Anne to take this discussion a touch more seriously.
She approached Clara with an earnestness that was not very convincing. ‘Clara, we are at a house party in the country during Christmas. Other than partaking in the events, speculating about what other guests are up to is almost all there is to do here. You would be doing it, too, if you weren’t at the centre of that very speculation.’
Clara took a deep breath. Anne was right. Clara and her mother had attended a number of house parties after her coming out where they’d spent a great deal of time wondering who was pairing with whom. She never thought to be standing here wondering about herself.
‘Why not enjoy the attention and the fun?’ Anne suggested. ‘After all, isn’t that’s what you came here to do?’
‘No, I mean, yes, but not with Hugh.’
Anne cocked a curious eyebrow. ‘Hugh?’
‘Lord Delamare.’ Clara balled her hands in frustration at her slip for it gave a great deal of credence to all Anne’s insinuations. ‘What do you know of him and Lady Frances?’
This dulled Anne’s amusement. ‘I’ve heard that Lord Delamare, like a great number of gentlemen in London, does have something of a past, which as a matron you are allowed to hear about.’
‘And the fact that he wouldn’t marry her? Am I allowed to hear about that?’
‘Lord Westbook has been busy, hasn’t he?’
‘And he’s right, isn’t he?’
‘I’m sure there’s a good reason why Lord Delamare didn’t marry Lady Frances although I’m not privy to it. Don’t assume the worst of him, Clara. He’s had a rough time of things and, like you, he needs friends.’
It wasn’t a friend Clara needed, but someone who would cherish her the way she wished to be cherished, to be there for her when she was hurting and to make her smile and laugh and to give her hope. She had her doubts about that man being Hugh.
‘Come, we must dress for the next activity,’ Anne said.
‘Fine.’ Clara yanked a book off the shelf without looking at the title, tired of wading through all these roaring thoughts. She followed Anne out into the hallway, not caring what book she carried. She wouldn’t be surprised if she climbed into bed tonight to see she’d chosen a tome on the subject of irrigating crops. Oh, well, at least she would learn something.
Anne and Clara were not two feet out of the office when Lady Tillman approached with her hand on a young man’s arm. He was new to the party and to Clara, and tall, not as tall as Hugh, but impressive enough with sandy blond hair and light brown eyes. His chin was sharper and not as strong as Hugh’s, nor was his chest so well developed beneath his finely tailored suit. The cut of his coat reminded her more of those men whose tailors were firmly established in London than Hugh’s and she sensed at once this was no country gentleman.
‘Lady Kingston, Lady Exton, allow me to introduce you to Lord Stanhope. He’s a friend of my cousin and is joining us for the remainder of the week. It’s his first Christmas house party here at Stonedown.’
‘Or any manor, truth be told,’ he offered with appealing graciousness.
‘Then you’re in for a treat, for no one hosts a party so well as Lord and Lady Tillman and you’re sure to enjoy tonight’s ball at Holyfield. It isn’t as good as Lady Tillman’s Christmas Eve one, but I’m sure you’ll find everyone very welcoming and in good spirits,’ Anne offered, doing her best to make the man feel welcome, but with his easy stance and air of confidence, Clara suspected he needed no encouragement to step straight in to any group or festivities and make himself at home.
‘The country ladies will be thrilled to have a new dance partner,’ Clara added, not as clearheaded as Anne to think of something more witty or interesting to say.
‘Might I be so bold as to ask for your first dance, Lady Kingston, before the country ladies overwhelm me?’ He shifted the full focus of his charm from Anne to her and, if Clara was not mistaken, it radiated a little brighter for her than it had for her sister-in-law. Over his shoulder, Anne widened her eyes at Clara as if to say there was now someone besides Hugh to be thrown in Clara’s path. Clara ignored her, thinking her sister-in-law was the worst matchmaker she’d ever encountered.
Instead, she kept her eyes fixed on Lord Stanhope’s, standing up a touch straighter when he dropped his gaze down to take in the length of her before raising it once again to meet hers. ‘Yes, it would be a pleasure to enjoy the first dance with you, Lord Stanhope.’
If Hugh had been given half the warnings she’d received today from so-called well-meaning people like Lord Westbook, then he wasn’t likely to ask her to dance with him. Good. She didn’t need to give anyone any additional reasons to keep speculating on whether or not she would become the next Lady Frances. There was someone new here that they could whisper about, one with no past connection to her and whose presence by her side would cause a great deal less whispering and speculations. Dancing with Lord Stanhope might not have been what she’d imagined for this evening, but he would be a refreshing change from the last day.
‘Until tonight, Lady Kingston.’ Lord Stanhope offered her a bow worthy of an audience with the King and then allowed Lady Tillman to lead him off to make more introductions, but not before tossing Clara one last look over his shoulder, his smile as strong as his stride.
‘I s
uspect Lord Delamare might have some competition,’ Anne joked.
‘Lord Delamare doesn’t need to worry. His past behaviour has already knocked him out of the running.’
‘Clara, don’t underestimate the power of a good apology from a man. I have gained some of my best jewellery from Adam this way.’ Anne laughed, for she and Adam rarely fought.
‘It is probably my jewels more than me he’s after.’
‘Really, Clara...’
‘No, I won’t be tricked by him again. Let him woo some other widow, I will see what other men there are in the world.’ He wasn’t the only one worth having.
* * *
Hugh and Adam walked back from the stables, the musky scent of horses and leather saddles clinging to them as much as the cold morning air. When Adam, Sir Nathaniel and some of the others had asked him to ride this morning, he’d quickly agreed. The stinging air and the demands of commanding a horse had been a welcome distraction after a night spent lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling and thinking of Clara. She’d dominated his thoughts more so than even six years ago until he could think of nothing but her, not even the dangers facing Everburgh. It was wrong, but he’d been powerless to stop it. When he and Clara had laughed and reminisced about their past at Winsome, his current troubles had lessened their hold over him. She’d been the girl who’d once captured his heart because she hadn’t derided him for having a grand title and no money. When they’d ridden together over the grounds of Stonedown in the sleigh, she’d listened to all his dreams for Everburgh and had believed that they would come true. He hadn’t realised he would have to let her go in order for his dreams to be realised. But it was no longer six years ago and his reasons for not pursuing Clara were beginning to fade as quickly as the frost on the grass.
It was how he would win her that had remained as elusive as sleep. The truth was he hadn’t had to work for her heart before, their love had simply blossomed. Now a great many obstacles stood between them and he would have to clear each one if he wished to make her his.
‘I’m glad to see you and Clara getting along so well,’ Adam remarked from beside him as they walked from the stables to the main house.
‘We are, surprisingly well.’ Hugh’s breath formed small clouds above his head before the wind carried them off. ‘She told me she’s considering venturing to London for the Season.’
‘Good. I very much want to see her back out in the world again. It will help for her to have another friend in London.’
‘I’d be more than happy to escort her when required, if you and she are amenable to the idea.’ Hugh wondered how far he might venture with Clara and if Adam would disapprove or not. Adam knew more about Hugh’s past than most and, despite remaining his friend, Hugh wondered if Adam would see him as a suitable match for his sister. She might not need her brother’s permission to marry, but her family was important to her and he refused to cause strife between them. Even if Adam did approve, if fate contrived to separate Hugh and Clara again and she was hurt, he was sure Adam would finally discard him and Hugh’s quiet re-introduction to society would end. His title might gain him a certain admiration and invitation, but he no longer wished to be a titled face at a ball and to return at night to a silent house. He would rather not be invited to a hundred balls and have one good and true friend and the real love of a wife than to strut about in society with his station and a gaggle of hangers-on who would disappear the moment they got wind of any trouble or difficulty.
‘Are you quite free to serve as Clara’s escort?’ It was a probing question, the kind the father of a potential fiancée might ask.
‘I’m entirely free and under no obligations to anyone. Lady Frances and I broke with one another six months ago. I have not spoken to her since nor has she made any effort to contact me.’ It’d been a mutual parting with neither of them suffering when the end had finally come. They’d never been in love, merely a convenience. Lady Frances was a shrewd woman who’d been married to a much older man before he’d died and had delighted in the attention of a man her age. She understood the way of the world and was not full of enough dreams and whimsy to wish to bind herself to a lord with a great deal of hard work ahead of him.
‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Adam clapped Hugh on the back as they climb the stairs to the doors of Stonedown.
Adam and Hugh spoke of possible hunting in the autumn before they parted at the top of the main staircase to go to their rooms to dress. While Hugh prepared for the day, he thought about Clara and how much he wanted to see her again. Whether she was as elated by the prospect of being with him remained to be seen. She’d been friendly and tempted by him last night and it gave him hope, but the light of day and a night to think things over could change things. Either way, he would not be as serious or melancholy with her as he’d been yesterday. Not every connection between them could be about mourning or past troubles, for he was certain there were other, more enjoyable things to draw them together and make the holiday much brighter for both of them.
Chapter Seven
Hugh stood at the back of the guests assembled in small groups and scattered about the main staircase of Stonedown Manor. It’d taken him longer than he would have liked to dress, making him the last to join the group and hear what Lord and Lady Tillman had planned for today.
Hugh peered over everyone’s heads, searching for Clara. He spied her on the far side of the group standing beside Lady Exton. The sunlight illuminating the room from the windows flanking the front door played in the wisps of hair escaping from the loose curls at the back of Clara’s head. She did not wear the elaborate jewellery that had adorned her last night, but had chosen instead simple pieces of gold with smaller gems that highlighted the lighter colour of her deep yellow gown. Her bright dress was a stark contrast to the more muted colours that she had worn for the last two days and the warmer shade lightened her face, which would have shone even more if she’d worn a smile instead of her strangely strained look.
Her lips were pressed tight together and there was no trace of the ease with which she’d sat beside him last night, nor did she appear as excited about the forthcoming game as the others. In fact, she looked as thrilled as she had when she’d come downstairs on the first night to stand beside him. She also didn’t hazard a glance at him although he was certain she was aware that he was here. She was purposely ignoring him the same way she’d done when she’d sat beside him at the first dinner.
Worry crept into Hugh, pushing out the excitement and hope that he’d experienced during the early hours of dawn and in the time since. Something had happened between last night and this morning and it had changed her opinion of him. Then he caught Lord Westbook’s eye and the answer seemed to make itself clear in the superior arch of his brow before he turned back to listen to Lord Tillman.
As if unable to avoid Hugh’s searching stare, Clara finally glanced in his direction. He smiled and nodded at her, conscious of the thrill that gripped him at capturing this small bit of her attention. The feeling evaporated when she did not return the smile or do anything more than turn back to Lord and Lady Tillman, deliberately snubbing Hugh. If he could have pressed his way through the guests and come to her side and drawn her into another room where they could speak privately he would have, but he wasn’t about to make a scene, especially while Lord and Lady Tillman were explaining the next activity.
‘With the weather a great deal colder today and with everyone in need of a free afternoon to prepare for the Holyfield ball tonight, we’ve decided on a game of hide and seek.’
‘Rather scandalous, don’t you think, Lord Tillman?’ Sir Nathaniel called out, as amused as he was serious in his question.
‘Given our present pairings, I don’t believe we have a reason to worry or to suspect that anyone will be doing too much dallying while the searcher seeks out his quarry.’
A number of people turned to look at either Hugh or Clar
a and Hugh inwardly groaned. This would not help him make his case against whatever had turned Clara against him this morning.
‘Speak for yourself, Lord Tillman.’ Lady Pariston laughed, grabbing on tight to Lord Wortley’s arm and making everyone laugh, except Clara.
This did not bode well for a pleasant afternoon with her.
‘Who will be searching?’ Mrs Alton asked.
‘Lord Stanhope. Being the newest member of our party, he is without a partner and has graciously agreed to be our searcher.’ Lady Tillman motioned to Lord Stanhope who stood off to one side with an air of languid superiority on his square face. Hugh didn’t know much of the man, but he didn’t like the way he glanced up the stairs at Clara, flashing her a very inviting smile that, to his chagrin, she returned. He wished the Tillmans would hurry up and get on with the game, then he could speak to Clara and find out what was the matter.
‘When the gong rings, you’ll have five minutes to hide. Then the gong will sound again and Lord Stanhope will begin his search. There is nowhere on this floor in Stonedown that you may not venture, but you are not to go upstairs. The butler is going to stand here to make sure you don’t. The prize today will be to lead the first dance at the Holyfield ball tonight.’ Lady Tillman motioned to the butler who stood up on the landing with the gong. He rang it and Lady Tillman clapped her hands together before announcing, ‘To your hiding places.’
The room quickly emptied as everyone grabbed their partner and set out in search of the perfect place to conceal themselves. Hugh strode through the confusion of people to reach Clara, who appeared in no hurry to set out or to be alone with him.
‘Where do you suggest we hide? You know this house better than many and must be privy to all its secret chambers and rooms,’ Hugh said, trying to inject some of the spirit of the game into the tense air between them.
