***
“Is something amiss, Lady Clarissa?”
Clarissa blinked, glancing over at Lord Fornsworth. His pinched features seemed even tighter when he frowned with concern.
“Yes,” she answered. “Why do you ask?”
“That is the fourth time you have sighed since we’ve begun our walk. I can only assume that there is something on your mind.”
Clarissa couldn’t deny it so she fell quiet. She supposed it was a little unfair to Lord Fornsworth for her to be like this. Even though she had no interest in him, she enjoyed his company well enough. That had been her only reason for accepting his invitation for the walk in the first place. And who knew? Perhaps this walk was what it took for her to see his merits as a future husband.
But she couldn’t stop thinking about Michael. She couldn’t stopworryingabout Michael.
They ambled down a mostly secluded path in Hyde Park, the more populated area already behind them. Her lady’s maid was a quiet presence on their tail. Clarissa let her eyes wander over the lush grass and large wisterias, landing on a bench sitting near a pond.
“Shall we rest a spell, my lord?” she suggested in the silence.
Lord Fornsworth only nodded, his jaw tight. Clarissa hoped it wasn’t because of her. She hadn’t meant to upset him with her absentmindedness.
They came up to the bench and she quickly sat, brushing away invisible lint from the front of her skirt. It took her a moment to realise that Lord Fornsworth was still standing. And he looked far more displeased than she’d realised.
“My lord?”
“What is your intention with me, Lady Clarissa?” he pushed through gritted teeth, his beady eyes glaring into the sparkling pond.
Clarissa frowned. Surely she’d heard that incorrectly. “Myintention withyou?” she echoed.
“Do you intend on pulling my heart along on a string like a lovesick puppy?” he spat. “Do you not see a future with me?”
“My lord, where is this coming from?”
“You have not listened to a word I’ve said since we began our promenade!”
Clarissa blinked. “Lord Fornsworth, there is no need to raise your voice at me. And yes, perhaps I have been a little distracted, but it is simply because there is an issue—”
He was upon her suddenly, so close that she could smell the staleness of his breath. He seized her hand without warning. “My heart burns for you, Lady Clarissa. Ever since I met you last Season, I have thought of nothing else. Of no one else. Can’t you see that?”
“My lord, please unhand me.” She tried to calm her voice, to keep her panic from showing. All of a sudden, she was aware of the fact that they were alone with only her hapless lady’s maid there to witness.
Lord Fornsworth only clasped her hand with both of his this time, squeezing tighter. “Lady Clarissa, would you do me the honour of—”
“I am certain the lady asked you to unhand her.”
Clarissa’s heart leapt to her throat. She recognised that voice—the same deep baritone that had shaken her to her core last night during Lady Jones’ ball. Clarissa watched as Lord Fornsworth’s tiny eyes looked above her head, first with irritation, then surprise, then repentance. He quickly let go of her.
“L-Lord Abney,” he stammered, getting to his feet. “I did not see your approach.”
“Likely because you were too busy accosting a lady away from seeing eyes.” Lord Abney did not come any closer, an overwhelming presence hovering right over her shoulder. And Clarissa didn’t dare turn. “I will give you three seconds to leave here before I make you regret your decision. One—”
Lord Fornsworth took off without a moment’s hesitation, feet kicking dirt up in his wake. Clarissa would have laughed at the sight if she wasn’t so focused on the man standing behind her.
“Are you all right?”
She swallowed, schooled her expression, and hoped she seemed nonchalant before she turned to face him. But even then, she wasn’t prepared for the sight of him. He’d scarcely left her thoughts since last night and now here he was, as if she’d summoned him.
Lord Abney frowned deeper. “Do not tell me you are traumatised into silence?”
“I am not traumatised,” she snapped. “And I was more than capable of handling the situation myself, thank you very much.”
