Falling for the Marquess - Julianne MacLean Page 0,36

to watch the duke step into his carriage and drive away. He was a handsome, distinguished man, admired by the Queen of England. Mrs. Gunther approved of him. Clara’s parents would undoubtedly also approve. The duke had been married once before and had from all accounts been a good husband.

He was, as some would say, a sure thing. As far as appearances went, he was exactly what she wanted. Or at least what her head told her she wanted. Her heart told her something else, however. There was something about him that didn’t ring true. He was simply too perfect.

The carriage disappeared at the end of the street, and Clara turned away from the window.

Sophia entered. “Did he propose?”

Feeling almost numb inside, Clara nodded.

“What did you say?”

“I told him I would give him an answer tomorrow.”

“I see.” Looking worried, Sophia regarded Clara. “Are you still thinking about the marquess? Because I don’t think he’s the sort of man who would offer a proposal marriage quite so quickly.” She moved fully into the room and stood before Clara, who felt suddenly nauseous.

Sophia continued. “What do you want, Clara?”

“I don’t know. Or rather, I do know, or at least I thought I did. I want to marry a man who will be a good husband. A man I can respect. Everyone is telling me that the duke is that man, yet my heart is not quite so certain. He said something about his children today. He suggested that I would never have to see them—as if that would make me more likely to accept his offer. What does that say about his love for them, and his devotion to his family?”

Sophia nodded with understanding.

“Besides,” Clara added, “I am still attracted to the marquess.”

Sophia led Clara to the sofa and sat down. “I remember what it felt like when I was falling in love with James. If I had been pressured to marry someone else, I don’t know what I would have done. I don’t envy you.”

“If only I could see the marquess again.”

“But would it make a difference?” Sophia asked. “I believe the marquess would require a fair bit of wooing, so to speak, to be enticed into marriage, and unfortunately you don’t have time to do that. It’s a shame the duke had not waited a little longer and given you a chance to get to know him better.”

“You know me too well, Sophia.” Clara gazed down at her hands on her lap. “What am I going to do?”

Sophia shrugged. “Only you know the answer to that question. It’s your future.”

After a long pause, Clara looked into her sister’s eyes. “I must see him again.”

Sophia considered that for a moment. “I suppose you could send him a note and tell him that you’ve received an offer. That might give him a little nudge.”

“But I don’t want to pressure him into proposing to me. I just want to see him and talk to him. Find out for sure if there is any hope.”

“But would you be prepared to refuse a decent man’s offer on the off chance that a notorious rake might reform?”

Clara stared out the window again. “I’m not sure. That’s what I need to find out.”

Clara sat alone in her room that evening and read all the letters again. After some careful deliberation, she knew that the time for playful flirtations must come to an end. She could not simply wait and hope that the marquess would appear at a society ball. She had to take the bull by the horns.

She dipped her pen in the ink and scrolled a quick note.

Dear Lord Rawdon,

I must see you. Can we arrange a time?

C.

Clara sealed the letter and gave it to a footman with instructions to deliver it immediately. He returned an hour later with a reply.

Miss Wilson,

The urgency of your letter intrigues me. My carriage will be outside of Wentworth House this evening at two a.m.

S.

Two a.m.! Clara could barely believe her eyes. Did he think she would be able to convince her chaperone, Mrs. Gunther, to escort her out to a gentleman’s carriage at that hour of the night?

Obviously not.

Which was precisely the point. He expected her to sneak out alone.

Clara squeezed her forehead in her hand. Could she do such a thing? Perhaps this was fate attempting to provide the evidence she required to prove that the marquess was not the man for her.

Or perhaps it was the opposite. This was fate delivering the real marquess to her on