“I’m glad you made it back to tend to father,” her sister said as she met Claire outside their father’s chambers.
“Carolyn,” Claire greeted. “I hadn’t realized how much of him we would lose in such a short while.”
After a weak nod of acknowledgement, Carolyn linked her arm with Claire and they walked to the drawing room. At times Carolyn seemed so much older and wiser that Claire had trouble recalling her sister was not quite eighteen. It made Claire sad how both of them had missed out on being children for so long.
“Since you’ve settled back in, can you now tell me what brought about this impromptu visit to Avange Manor? Had Lord Knightly not come, we would still be worrying if you would ever return from the picnic.”
The hurt in Carolyn’s eyes indicated Gordon hadn’t seen fit to tell their sister the truth. It angered Claire. Sometimes her brother could be so dimwitted. She wondered if he used it as a ploy or if that was his true nature.
As they settled on the settee in the drawing room, Claire told Carolyn, in hushed tones, what had transpired. The only parts she left out were her night with Ian and his kisses. She tended to confide in her sister, but this was something Carolyn would not understand.
“Then you owe your very life to Lord Knightly. How can we ever repay him?”
“I’ve given him my thanks, but other than the incident with the snake, he did nothing other than save himself. I merely benefited from his self-preservation.” The lie tasted like ash on her tongue, but she kept a straight face.
“Surely not. He didn’t need to go through the trouble of fixing your reputation if that was the case.”
Claire smiled at her sister’s innocence. “If he hadn’t done that, he would have been forced to marry me. After all, it was he whom I was with both day and night.”
“But, we know him. Lord Knightly—”
“No.” Claire shook her head. “I won’t hear it. He needs nothing more than the words of gratitude I already gave him. Besides, to offer more would only draw unnecessary attention.”
Her sister gave a sad shake of her head. “I remember a time when you didn’t hate him so much. We both used to look at him like he was our world.”
“Everyone has to grow up, sometime.”
The trouble was Claire recalled too easily how wonderful he had been. Both as a child and recently. Then in the cabin . . . She shuddered as her body too easily recalled the pleasure.
She cleared her throat, needing to cast thoughts like that from her mind and forget about him. Finding herself a suitable husband would be her priority. For both her father’s and sister’s sakes. Nothing good could come of her wayward thoughts. Ian Michael Caldwell was not for her.
Two days later, as Claire surveyed the crowd at Lord Lampton’s ball, the idea of marrying any one of those gentlemen made her stomach clench. Ian had shredded her emotions, and she truly couldn’t see herself with anyone but him. She searched on. Surely, one of them would do.
“Miss Ashford,” Lord Higgins called, pleasure in his voice. “Welcome back. Had you told me you planned a visit to Lady Starsen following the picnic, I would have offered my escort.”
“Thank you, my lord. I hadn’t wanted to impose.”
“Assisting you would never be an imposition.”
His smile was genuine, but Claire couldn’t force herself to feel anything for the man. Less than a fortnight ago, she had decided to marry him. That seemed so long ago now. So much of her life had changed in such a short time.
“I shall remember that for the future.”
They stood in silence for a few minutes, watching the couples gliding across the dance floor. Strangely enough, the silence felt companionable. She actually found herself comfortable in his presence. Not like with Ian.
When she stood beside Ian, her insides warred within her, as if trying to get out to be closer to him. Everything in her body burned for him to look at her, to talk to her, to touch her. She pulled in a long breath and let it out slowly. It was a good thing Ian didn’t want her.
“Miss Ashford,” Lord Higgins pulled her from her thoughts, “Would you care to dance?”
She nodded, although the question brought forth memories of Ian’s claims on the dance floor. She swallowed. It was time she stopped thinking about the viscount and concentrate on her future.
“My next waltz is available.”
“Glad to hear it.” Lord Higgins bowed. “I shall come to collect you then.”
Watching the dancers maneuvering the well-memorized steps, Claire felt a depression settling in the pit of her stomach. She loved balls and parties, but would this be the rest of her life? With Lord Starsen, she would have to give up London, but with Lord Higgins, this would be the only thing she had to look forward to.
“Back to Higgins I see.” Ian’s deep voice flowed over her shoulders and brought her nerve endings to life. “Gone a mere few days and Starsen is already a memory.”
She ground her teeth together and straightened her back, refusing to give in to her desire to see him. Clearly he wanted to bait her, and Claire refused to allow it.
“What happened to you promising to reconsider?” His tone was clipped.
“I did.” She spun to meet the fury in his face with her own. “Did you think I would completely change my mind at your urging? What do you have against the earl?”
“That isn’t relevant. You need to make better-informed decisions based on what you already know. Surely you understand how your life will be with him.”
“Yes. As clearly as I understand how it will be without him.” Feeling weary, she took a deep breath. “I don’t want to argue with you. Perhaps it would be best for matters between us to return to how they were before the picnic.”
Ian’s jaw clenched as his narrowed eyes bored into her. “You can’t rid yourself of me that easily.”
The sound of a throat clearing helped pull Claire from Ian and their argument. After forcing a neutral expression, she turned to see Lord Higgins standing behind her. Heat touched her cheeks. She hoped he hadn’t overheard their conversation.
“Miss Ashford, is this gentleman bothering you?” Lord Higgins’s large grin indicated he’d either overheard them or interpreted the look on Ian’s face.
“No,” Claire explained. “I was simply telling him my dance card is full.”
“There you have it, Knightly. But, don’t disappear, I’m sure there are other ladies here who are looking for your type of attention.”
Claire stiffened as Ian’s furious gaze shot to Lord Higgins. When Ian’s anger simmered down and was replaced with a grin, she relaxed. She admired his decision to let the insult go.
“You’re right. I’ve never had trouble catching a lady’s interest. What about you?” Ian’s smile held a challenge.
Immediately, Claire’s admiration was replaced by anger. Too many images of him with other women filled her mind. With the most recent memory bringing pain. She had never hated him more than she did at this moment.
“Lord Higgins.” She grabbed his arm before he could respond to Ian. “Our waltz has already begun. Let’s join in before we miss out entirely.”
He nodded and led her away from Ian. Although she could not see him any longer, the burn of Ian’s stare scorched her backside. She wished for the ability to hurt him back in some way. To let him feel a small margin of what she felt right now.
Leaning closer to Lord Higgins, she whispered a small “thank you,” in his ear. When he turned and offered her a warm smile, she inwardly rejoiced. Ian could interpret their interactions in many different ways. She hoped the possibilities would drive a knife through his chest, exactly like he had done to her.
Ian tapped his fingers against his desk and wondered why his life had become difficult. For too long it had been easy, so this was overdu
e. Shifting in his chair, a twinge in his back sent a reminder of how hard it could be.
“Tell me again, Mother, why you are here.”
“Your father’s watch fob is missing.” She stated the fact as though it should be reason enough. “I’m tired of things disappearing.”
“Things? Like what?”
“I’ve mentioned everything in my letters. Have you not bothered to read them? Honestly, I thought I’d raised you better than that.”
“What letters? I haven’t received a missive from you in well over a month.”
Upon his return to London, he had taken care to review everything left for him. His desk was clear at present, so he couldn’t have missed anything. Why would she lie about sending him letters?
“You are mistaken. I’ve written you at least three times since your last response. Perhaps the staff here needs additional training.”
“I shall speak to the butler later. Tell me about what’s gone missing.” An argument about the running of his household was pointless.
“Over the past month, items have gone missing. At first I thought it was due to forgetfulness or staff negligence, but I now believe someone has been stealing from me.”
“What has been taken?”
“The things I have noticed are little things that belonged to your father. Like his favorite cravats, cufflinks, his watch fob, and other miscellaneous items.”
Ian rubbed his temples. The stolen items were too specific for it to be a coincidence or simple misplacement. His mother must have the right of it, but who would do such a thing?
The staff members retained were very loyal and paid handsomely. Someone must have become dissatisfied in order to resort to petty theft. From his deceased father, no less.
“Do you have any idea who could be behind the robberies?”
“No. I tried to set a trap, but a week went by without my rubies being touched. Either the thief was aware of my plan, or your father’s items are coveted by someone other than me. He’s been gone for two years now, but I’m not ready to let go of his things—or the memories.”
Ian nodded. “I will notify the local magistrate and send a friend of mine back with you. Between the two of them, the culprit should be found rather quickly.”
She crossed her arms. “You misunderstand, Ian. I fully intend to remain here until this matter has been cleared. I have sent most of the staff away in an attempt to contain our losses.”
Taking a deep breath, Ian studied his mother. Her determination glared back at him. She wouldn’t be dissuaded. Having his mother constantly about didn’t appeal to him, but he didn’t see that he had much of a choice.
“Very well. I will have a room readied for you.”
“That’s already been arranged.” She stood, a wide smile on her face. “Thank you.”
As she turned to leave his study, Ian kept his frustration under control until he heard the click of the door. Letting out a breath, he sank back into his chair. The woman was stubborn. The last thing he needed was his mother’s domineering presence. Nothing could be done about it now, but endure the consequences.
To his surprise, she reappeared in his doorway. “One more thing. I have called upon Baron Dailey. I have heard his illness has worsened, and I wish to offer my help in any way I can.”
“That’s very noble of you mother. I’m sure your offer will be appreciated.”
“Yes, well, I have made arrangements to pay them a call in an hour, and I expect you to accompany me.”
He froze. The possibility of seeing Claire tempted him, however, he knew he wouldn’t be able to control his tongue around her. The image of her intimately whispering in Higgins’s ear still flared red. What could she have been thinking?
“I’ll call for the carriage,” he replied before he could think better of it.
His mother beamed at him. Over the years, he had discovered giving into her demands was much easier than fighting with her. Her determination had been something he often lamented as a child. However, for once, he realized that very quality could prove useful to him.
“Very good.” She turned to go.
“Mother,” he called, stopping her. “Your assistance might be more appreciated if you offer your services to help with the baron’s daughters.”
“Oh.” She raised her eyebrows in question. “In what way do they require assistance?”
Leaning back in his chair, Ian ran a hand across his chin. “Well, I’m sure not having a mother has damaged their education, and now with an ailing father, they need a woman’s care more than ever.”
She studied him as if suspecting an ulterior motive. He kept his face clear until she nodded.
“I can certainly provide that.”
Once his mother left, Ian put his hands behind his head. His mother would guide Claire regarding who she should and shouldn’t be spending her time with. If he had any luck, his mother would unearth the inner matchmaking skills inherent in all women. Anticipation rushed his senses, curling up the corners of his mouth.
With a few calculated comments, his mother could make Claire see him differently. Then it would be a simple matter for him to step in and obtain Claire’s consent to marry him.
Chapter 7
As Ian sat in Lord Dailey’s drawing room, he found himself resisting the urge to grin. His mother had gone to speak with the baron, leaving him in the drawing room. Since Gordon had taken Carolyn out, Ian waited alone with Claire until his mother would return.
“I’m sure you know I’m not pleased with you at present,” he said, finally pulling her gaze off the floor.
“I cannot fathom why.” The brightening of her cheeks betrayed her innocent claim.
“Then you are further lost than I thought.” He clicked his tongue and shook his head, inwardly smiling as he saw the fire in her eyes. “I should have known. After all, dealing with the aftereffects of travel can be disconcerting.”
“What does that mean?” Anger rolled off of her in waves.
Ian leaned forward in his chair, keeping his eyes fastened on Claire. “Simply that being away from a familiar setting has addled your brains. Now, you are grasping at anything that makes you feel like you did before our journey.”
“You are ridiculous.” She brushed a lock of hair off her shoulder as her gaze drifted away from him. “Just because you didn’t take the opportunity when you had it doesn’t mean other men feel the same way. I have it on good authority Lord Higgins wouldn’t have left me untouched.”
Bursting to his feet and clenching his fists, Ian worked to contain his anger. If Higgins took advantage of Claire, he would personally kill the man. She was much too innocent and impulsive for her own good. He’d be damned if he allowed her to damage herself.
“Has he dared to touch you?” Ian demanded.
Claire shot out of her chair. “What does it matter to you if he has? I owe you nothing and know what I mean to you.”
The tiny bit of moisture in her eyes melted his anger. Moving to stand in front of her, he cupped her cheek and lifted her face so he could look into her eyes.
“What is it, then? What do you mean to me?”
She pulled away from the contact and crossed her arms over herself. “What does it matter? We may have been forced together in a tough situation, but we are no longer confined by those constraints. My lord, you are my brother’s friend, and as such, I will do my best to keep a cordial tongue in my mouth.”
“I can think of a better place for your—”
“Ian!” She brought a hand to her lips. “I’ll expect you to hold yours, as well.”
She crossed the room, and he realized the distance between them was more than just physical. Had he completely lost her, already? He refused to believe that.
“Ian.” His mother appeared in the
room. “You haven’t upset dear Miss Ashford, have you?”
Claire turned and offered a brilliant smile. “Lady Knightly, allow me to assure you that your son has done nothing of the sort. He is a perfect gentleman.”
The look Claire shot him indicated exactly what she thought about his gentlemanly sensibilities. He let out a weary sigh. Had he done the wrong thing by sparing her innocence? He desperately wished he could go back to that moment and rethink his decision. However, he feared that if he had done things differently it would have only made matters between them more complicated.
“That is a relief.” His mother beamed at him as she took a seat and looked expectantly at the two of them.
“How did you find my father?” Claire claimed the spot next to his mother. “Lately, his moments of lucidity have been less frequent.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Our conversation went rather well. He remembered me and didn’t appear to experience any difficulties while I was with him.”
“That’s wonderful to hear. I think your visit has been good for him. He needs to be forced to act like his old self as often as possible.”
Ian couldn’t help but feel sorry for the baron as well as the family. Watching their father’s condition worsen weighed on each child differently. Ian had noticed how frequently Gordon turned to the drink or to women, whereas Claire tried to take on all the duties of the house. Carolyn too, had to grow up much too fast.
“Well, that is fortunate as I intend to be around often. After speaking with your father, we have decided you and your sister require a mother’s touch through your seasons in London. Although I haven’t spent much time here recently, I can easily determine which gentlemen to avoid and which to encourage.”
Embracing the Knight Page 9
