“Most assuredly, I think him quite a genius.”
“He would be embarrassed to know it, I am sure. I have never met someone with so much talent and so much humility.”
“I am glad of that. So many men are terribly pompous without any grounds for being so.”
“I hope you are not speaking of anyone in the company.”
Her eyes were sparkling now. “I would not wish to be too specific,” she conceded, and Nicholas could not help a hearty chuckle. He was becoming entranced by this side of her. When she was comfortable and had let down the walls about her true personality, her wit and ingenuity always shone through. It had been the same during the treasure hunt. He was elated in her company and felt privileged to be gifted with her attention.
“You must share the joke, my Lord,” came a voice behind him. Nicholas tensed as Lady Wilde and Lady Crompton approached them. “Indeed, you have been discussing something for many minutes, which has had you both smiling. I must find out the topic.”
I have no doubt you must, thought Nicholas bitterly. Lady Wilde was more irritating by the day. He could never seem to be rid of the woman and her current interruption was most unwelcome.
“We were discussing Leigh Hunt,” he said, hoping she had not heard of him. He was disappointed.
“The radical?” she asked, spouting the usual rhetoric that would have been bandied about in good society. Anyone like Hunt, a liberal and a critic, would have posed a threat to the men and women in Madeline Wilde’s circles.
“Indeed,” Clarissa replied, surprising him. “We were speaking of his poems.”
Nicholas was instantly uneasy as her guard returned. He had not expected her to agree with anyone about Leigh Hunt being a radical, yet she had done so willingly with Lady Wilde.
It was clear to him that she did not like the lady and did not wish to engage in an open debate. She was instantly reserved, moving back from the conversation and falling silent.
He hated the shifts in her. Whenever she opened up and seemed to enjoy things too much, she would shut herself down almost instantly, as though she had broken an unspoken rule.
Overcoming her opinion of me will not be an easy task, he thought sadly. But I am determined to succeed.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The following morning, the house was alive with excitement as the entire party prepared to go to the fair in the local village.
Clarissa was excited about the fair and having the opportunity to spend time with Nicholas outdoors again. She longed to be free of the stuffy formalities of the manor house, and to enjoy walking about the village with new things to divert her.
She tried to tamp down the anticipation in her veins, mindful of her mother’s expectations. She knew that Nicholas would be leaving England soon. Perhaps she could indulge in some time with him now, but she would always need to remain on her guard. Nothing could come of their association but disappointment, and she was loathe to give her parents any more of that.
The village itself was beautiful. It was quaint, with rickety buildings dating back to the fifteenth century. The façade of many shops were from the Tudor period, with black wood criss-crossing over a cream backing.
The windows were small, tiny diamonds of light that sparkled in the bright sunshine. It was still terribly cold, and everyone was dressed warmly. The ground was covered in snow, but in the cobbled streets, it had mostly melted and been crushed underfoot.
Carriages and wagons lumbered through the streets with many villagers passing them by. Their party received a great many curious glances. It was clear that Lady Eleanor’s patronage was most welcome by the store owners, and she received many greetings as they walked through the town.
Clarissa was surprised to find that Lord Bolton was alsogreatly admired, and many approached to welcome him.
“He has done a great deal for the village,” Rosemary was saying with a fond smile. “He even paid for the church clock to be restored last year.”
“But surely he was not here at the time?” Clarissa asked.
“No, you are quite right. But Nicholas hired a solicitor called Mr Graham from the town. He is his particular associate, and everyone who requires attention knows to contact him. If Mr. Graham is unable to fulfill their wishes or help in his own right, he will apply to my brother. He sent him a letter from the local townsfolk last year, telling him that the clock had ceased to chime, and Nicholas spared no expense in resolving the matter.”
Clarissa’s heart swelled at the knowledge. He may be a rake, but he was also a man who cared deeply for his tenants.
Clarissa was swept away in the festive atmosphere of the village. The little green was peppered with snow, and everything all around it was very picturesque in the morning sun. The sight was most pleasing to the eye, and the entire scene reminded her of a Christmas card.
Clarissa had not enjoyed Christmas lately, but she was most excited to spend it in this beautiful little town.
The market had been set up some way ahead of them, and there were colourful stalls as far as the eye could see. They offered everything from traditional crafts to seasonal treats. Clarissa could smell roast chestnuts, and at one of the stalls, a man was selling homemade jars of jam.
A band was playing ahead of them, the lilting music spreading over the market and filling everyone with good cheer. They played hymns and carols, and Clarissa would have happily stood by and watched them all morning. She adored the sound of brass instruments and was astonished by the aptitude of the French horn player. His fingers moved so quickly over the keys she was captivated.
