“In any case, you should not be sneaking around the drawing room when we have guests,” she admonished her sister softly. “You know how it is with Polite Society and etiquette. If you continued to act in such a manner, you will be ruined before your Presentation!”
Her younger sister did not even have to temerity to look the least bit chagrined.
“When it is time for me to marry,” she declared, “I shall not parade about like a brood mare to be sold to the highest bidder.Ishall do the choosing and I believe Father has provided me the means to do so!”
Claire fought the urge to roll her eyes at the audacity of her sister but it was truly something that she half-expected Trixie to say. She was quite unrestrained in many things—much more so than Claire, who, although she had her own unladylike hobbies like architecture, was still capable of adhering to the rules set by Society.
Trixie presented absolutely no compunctions in flouting them.
She sighed. “At the very least, can you try to be a little nicer?”
Trixie shot her a look of absolute defiance. “If they are as handsome, as kind, and as brilliant asHis Grace, I might consider it.”
Before Claire could say anymore, she hopped off the chair and skipped out of the room without so much as another word.
Claire shook her head as she regarded her reflection in the mirror once more. She and her younger sister had been having these conversations more often, quite possibly because Trixie herself was growing up and was in a position to observe Claire during her coming out.
However, it seemed that it had only triggered her sister’s more unconventional leanings and she feared that Trixie was well on her way to becoming a spinster simply because she could find no man who was comparable to His Grace.
Whether it was out of loyalty or her true assessment of his merits, Claire had no idea.
She did agree with her younger sister that the Duke was a suitable standard when considering matrimonial prospects.
It was just rather unfortunate that he did not seem particularly interested in her inthatway.
What am I thinking?Claire wondered, shaking her head in disbelief. She patted her cheeks and felt the warmth that suffused them at the thought of His Grace as a possible suitor.
Besides, I have not seen much of His Grace the past few days. He must still be quite incensed with me about leaving the townhouse without a suitable companion.
With a sigh, Claire put on her best smile as she swept out of her room to greet her guests in the drawing room.
* * *
He had not meant to eavesdrop on their conversation—it was a most ungentlemanly thing to do, listening to young ladies in private conversation.
However, the door had been slightly ajar and he just could not help himself as he leaned in and listened in on the conversation between Claire and her younger sister.
He wished he had not, though, because it was rather hard toun-hearthings once one has heard them and this time, it was a case of curiosity killed the cat.
While he saw less of Claire, he was more than aware that she was seeingmoreof the Marquess, which bothered him to no end.
He wanted nothing more than to gather her in his arms and profess his feelings for her but…
What is stopping you?
He could not bear to hear that she did not feel for him the same way. Never in his entire life had he been so afraid. He would rather keep the secret as best as he possibly could while ensuring she lived on happily.
“I cannot fathom what is so fascinating about a piece of paper that you did not hear me knocking on your door for a full five minutes, nor did you even notice my entry.”
He looked up to find his sister smiling faintly at him. “On the other hand, it is to be expected of a man hopelessly in love yet unable to profess his feelings for the lady of his most ardent affections.”
“Have you come here for the sole purpose of mocking me?” he asked her with a grimace. “I assure you, I could not feel any worse than I am feeling right now.”
“And pray tell, how did that come about?”
He groaned in frustration as he recounted to his sister what he heard of the conversation between Claire and Trixie.
“I think that she is falling even more in love with him,” he told her dejectedly. “I had thought to follow your advice but it seems like I cannot hold it in much longer. I do not want her to make a decision she may very well regret in the future.”
