Now, she did not quite know what to make of it.
Fortunately, she heard the clatter of hooves before she could reply. She looked up and found His Grace astride his stallion, a somber look on his face.
In her heart, she felt relief at seeing him but she knew that she was going to be in trouble for sneaking out of the townhouse.
“Lady Claire.” He dismounted from his horse and approached her.
She looked up at him apologetically. There was no need for words at this point.
“Ah, Your Grace.”
Oliver’s head snapped quickly to her companion and the expression on his face made her heart beat rapidly in her chest.
“Lord Draydon,” he said simply. “Thank you for bringing Lady Claire home.”
“Oh, it was no problem.”
She flushed when the Marquess slid his eyes over to her meaningfully.
“It was my honor to be able to escort Lady Claire to her home,” he said silkily. He smiled at the Duke. “I will be calling again tomorrow. I hope you will not turn me away this time.”
“You can leave your card with my sister,” Oliver bit out. “Come, Lady Claire. It is not safe outside at night.”
Claire glanced once more at the Marquess, who was staring at her oddly. His eyes glittered at her like she was some prize he meant to seize.
She shook her head at the thought and trained her eyes back to Oliver, who had stationed himself behind her, putting himself between her and the Marquess.
Even after she had ventured out to sort her thoughts, she found that she was still trapped in the quagmire of her emotions and that she still had no idea what she wanted.
It was all so terribly frustrating.
Chapter 16
Claire trailed behind the Duke as they entered the townhouse, her brown eyes downcast as she tried to guess at what went on in his mind. When he found her alone with the Marquess, she had seen a cold fury in his eyes and belatedly realized her mistake.
As much as I adored Lord Draydon, I cannot afford to risk the ruination of my reputation.
There were other unmarried ladies in their household and Trixie was yet to be launched to Society. If Claire ever extended a toe out of line, not only Lady Suzanna, but her younger sister could suffer from the consequences of her actions.
No wonder His Grace is most disappointed in me, she thought sadly.I acted rashly—much too rashly. If anyone else had seen us…
“Good gracious, dear heart! Where have you been? We have been looking all over for you!”
Claire allowed Lady Suzanna to rush to her like a mother hen, inspecting her for signs of injury. She turned her eyes to the Duke but he did not even spare her another glance.
“I shall be in my study should anyone need me,” he told them curtly.
Claire stared after the broad shoulders as he walked further and further away from her, feeling an odd sort of despair pressing in her chest. She could not put a name to it, only that it felt like every breath itself made her heart ache.
“Do not mind him so much,” Lady Suzanna murmured, affectionately tucking a lock of Claire’s hair behind her ear. “We were most distraught when we could not find you anywhere.”
Claire looked at her guiltily. “I apologize for leaving the townhouse without saying anything or without a chaperone. I just—” she sighed in frustration. “I just wanted to get away for a few moments to put my thoughts in order, what with everything that happened. I never thought I would come upon Lord Draydon just as I was returning home.”
Lady Suzanna smiled in understanding. “The past few weeks have been hard on you, dear heart. But if ever you need someone to talk to, we are at your disposal.”
“I know,” Claire bit her lower lip as tears threatened to spill from her lashes. “It was an error of judgment on my part. It shall not happen again, I swear.”
“I know you meant nothing by it, Claire,” the duke’s sister smiled sadly. “We were just worried, what with night coming. You do not know the dangers that lurk in the streets, especially for a young lady such as yourself.”
