She handed it over, and Emily beamed as she placed her gloved hands within it. Clarissa felt the cold bite at her fingertips, but she welcomed it. She loved the winter and thesnow and was feeling most content as they all reached the edges of the lake.
Her eyes found Lord Bolton at the head of the party, looking exceedingly dashing in his greatcoat and top hat. He cut a very fine figure indeed, and, aware that she was unobserved, she allowed her eyes to run over him briefly, feeling a thrill at the sight of his wide shoulders and strong build.
She was alarmed, however, when he turned to look at her as though he had felt her gaze upon him and approached with a warm smile.
She could hardly pull in a full breath—she had thought him the most handsome man she had ever beheld in a frock coat, but the greatcoat and gloves suited him above all else.
She smiled shyly as he came over, his eyes dancing as he looked at Emily.
“You are shivering,” he said with amusement.
“She insists she will be very warm upon the ice,” Clarissa answered for her cousin. Emily had been complaining she had not slept overly well and was a little short of temper that afternoon.
“May I help you onto the ice, Miss Crompton? It is a rather steep step down.”
Clarissa hesitated, torn between honouring her promise to herself and her deep desire to be close to him again.
“That is an excellent idea,” Rosemary piped up behind her. She walked over to them, full of smiles and a slightly mischievous air. “We have not skated on this pond since we were eight. Do you remember?”
Lord Bolton watched her carefully.
“Indeed I do, I also remember pulling you down onto the ice many times as I fell over. You have my apologies, Rosemary.”
Rosemary laughed prettily. “Nonsense, I am certain I pulled you down just as often. Why were we so horribly coordinated aschildren?”
“I would say it was due to lack of practice,” Clarissa confessed, and even Lord Bolton laughed at that.
They made their way down to the ice, Clarissa’s hand in Lord Bolton’s as he walked ahead. Her heart beat wildly at the chance to hold his hand, but she was aware of Lady Wilde’s venomous gaze as they approached the ice.
Lord Bolton was very attentive. After Clarissa had donned her skates, he helped her down the slope and held her hand until he was certain that she was steady on her feet.
Clarissa and her mother enjoyed skating a great deal. Clarissa was very confident on her feet as a result. Emily was rather less so and had an ungainly and erratic style, but as soon as she was out on the pond, she was much more cheerful and seemed a good deal warmer, too.
Lord Addison skated up beside her, and the two chatted amiably. He occasionally offered her cousin his arm as she repeatedly lost her balance.
The pond was large and allowed space for them all to roam freely. Clarissa was both delighted and astonished when, having escorted her, Lord Bolton exhibited a disinclination to part ways and glided alongside her. He had an excellent stance and held his hands pleasingly behind his back, utterly sure of his next step.
The world around them was glistening, sparkling frost on every surface. The cut and glide of the skates reminded her of skating with her sister on the ice many Christmases before. But this time, the memory did not prompt sadness. She was merely happy to be out again with such agreeable people.
As she watched, Lady Eleanor and her mother glided past, laughing hysterically as Lady Eleanor attempted to stay upright. On the other side of the pond, Rosemary was trying to remain standing while laughing merrily at her aunt.
“I declare, if my aunt were so without poise on the dance floor, she would have been cast out of society long ago,” Nicholas said affectionately.
Clarissa laughed, despite herself, as she watched Lady Eleanor falter over the surface. But when she looked back at Lord Bolton, his expression was grave.
“My apologies, Miss Crompton.” He said softly. “I did not wish to speak of the fickle nature of society so lightly.”
Clarissa should have felt alarmed that he knew of her circumstance, but, in fact, she was relieved. She realized that not knowing what he knew of her family’s disgrace had been a heavy burden for her. She did not wish to discuss it further, but she was grateful he acknowledged it.
“Do not worry, my Lord, I assure you,” she said. “Society and its favour touches us all throughout our lives. I do not object to anyone bringing up its fickle nature.”
He smiled a smaller, more charming smile that he seemed to reserve for his more intimate acquaintances. She fancied that it was more genuine than the charming grin he often employed in company.
“Tell me, Miss Crompton, what do you think of all this snow? I declare I have never known a winter like this one.”
They were a little further from the rest of the group, and Clarissa was gratified to note that they were very much the superior skaters. Some of the others stayed close to the bank, but she and Lord Bolton were making wide circles about the edges of the pond.
“I adore the winter,” she said unguardedly.
