Falling for the Marquess - Julianne MacLean Page 0,43
if he did, he’d have to marry you, and the idea of commitment and fidelity outweighed his temporary desires.”
Clara pulled the brush roughly through her hair. “There was nothing temporary about what happened last night.”
“But you are not experienced with this sort of thing! Some men can make love to a woman and forget her the very next instant. Their dalliances are merely conquests. What did happen, exactly?”
Clara shook her head. “I wanted to tell you before, but now I don’t. You’ll only disapprove.”
Sophia approached Clara and rested her hands on her shoulders. “I only worry that you’re going to get hurt. That you’re romanticizing what happened.”
“You were supportive before. You were encouraging me to find out all I could about him. Why have you changed your mind?”
“I haven’t changed my mind. I just feel that you must tread carefully where the marquess is concerned. Guard your heart as well as your virtue until you can be sure he is worthy of you. Be vigilant and act with caution. That’s all I’m saying.”
Clara knew deep down that her sister was right. Clara’s head was in the clouds this morning.
But how could it not be? She had glimpsed heaven the night before.
“All right, fine” she said to her sister. “I promise to be careful. But I must refuse the duke.”
Sophia nodded. “Mrs. Gunther won’t be happy. You probably shouldn’t tell her beforehand. She’ll spend the whole day trying to talk you out of it.”
“Good point. I’ll tell her after the fact, then she’ll have no choice but to accept it.” Clara sighed heavily. “Well, now that we’ve got all that out of the way, do you want to hear what happened in the carriage after the marquess and I talked?”
Sophia smiled and sat down next to Clara. “Of course. And spare nothing. I want every delicious detail.”
Later that day, the Duke of Guysborough was announced and entered the drawing room. After a short time, Mrs. Gunther mentioned that she needed to speak to her maid about something, and left Clara alone with him.
As soon as her chaperone was gone, the duke stood up and moved closer to the fireplace. “You’ve had a chance to consider my proposal?” he asked, looking down at Clara where she sat on the sofa. He appeared confident. She supposed it was natural, considering his status. Clara was not looking forward to rejecting him.
“I have, Your Grace, and I am very flattered.”
He smiled and moved closer to sit down next to her. A cold knot tightened in Clara’s belly. She hated this.
“I am honored by your offer,” she continued, “but...I’m afraid I must decline.”
The duke’s head drew back in surprise. “I beg your pardon?”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Is there a reason? There must be a reason.”
“I do apologize. This is most difficult. I...I am simply not in love with you.”
His eyebrows drew together in a frown. “Not in love with me?” He rolled his shoulders as if he were struggling to keep his anger in check. “Perhaps I should have taken more time for a courtship. I’ve heard that you American girls have certain expectations in that regard.”
“First of all, I am not a girl,” Clara replied. “I am a woman. But yes, your proposal did come rather quickly.”
“Because I was certain that if I did not make an offer, someone else would. The competition for you is intense, Miss Wilson. You are the talk of the town, so to speak.”
Clara was no fool. She knew she was popular because she was a wealthy heiress and it was a well-known fact that her father would furnish her husband-to-be with a very generous marriage settlement. Her own sister, Sophia, had made James one of the richest men in England. Sophia’s dowry, if one included the railroad stock, had been the largest in English history. Clara’s would most certainly match that.
“Thank you for the compliment, Your Grace,” she said.
But he was not satisfied. “May I indulge in some hope that you might reconsider if I give you more time?”
She didn’t know what to say. She hated rejecting the duke, and there was of course a chance that Lord Rawdon would break her heart in the coming weeks. The possibility that she might be burning her bridges loomed over her.
“I really don’t know, Your Grace. I don’t wish to give you any false hopes.”
He stared into her eyes for a moment, and his darkened. “Is there someone else?”
Clara swallowed nervously. “I cannot say.”
“Cannot say?” His voice revealed agitation, and an uncomfortable tension