“Do enlighten me, dear sister.”
“Why, we are all looking for someone who will cherish us and love us for the rest of our lives, of course,” she said simply. “For Claire and I, wealth is not an issue because our dowries alone guarantee that we will live a carefree life until we die—there is no way we can spend all that money within this lifetime.”
“What makes you think that this would give me the leverage I need?”
“Because you love her,” Suzanna said softly. “And if dear Claire sees your sincerity, it will be worth more than anything she could possibly get from all the men vying for her attention in all sorts of ridiculous ways. Not even the Marquess will be able to compete with that.”
Oliver sighed as he stared into the fire. He wanted to believe in what his sister said—he really did.
In all his life, he had never felt so much love for a woman as he did for Claire. It was also the reason why he was deathly afraid of losing their friendship—the one bond he could claim to—and why he kept his affections to himself for the longest time.
“It is getting late and I must be up early tomorrow,” Suzanna spoke softly. “I hope you will think more about it, Oliver. You stand to lose so much by keeping your feelings in the dark.”
“But what if she truly does love him?” he asked her.
“Not if you show her what true love is,” his sister smiled at him. “And she has felt it far longer than she has known the Marquess.”
He watched as his sister left the study, thinking long and hard on the things she had said to him.
If I refuse to tell Claire, I might keep our friendship but I will most possibly lose her to the Marquess of Draydon.But if Suzanna is to be believed, if I told her the truth, I would not only keep our bond, I might also gain her love.
Or lose everything else.
Chapter 19
“Acarriage ride?”
Claire blinked her eyes at the Marquess for a few moments before she managed to gather herself and look dafter than she already did.
The Marquess laughed softly and looked meaningfully at her. The other gentlemen that called on her earlier had already left and it was just the two of them standing outside the drawing room.
It was not too scandalous as they were very much in a place where they were visible to everybody but the thought of beingalonewith the Marquess for a few moments made her feel…queasy.
Am I not supposed to be elated or excited to be standing so close to him like this?
“I have noted your sadness for the past few days,” he told her softly, his deep voice a wash of gentleness on her woebegone soul. “Since you and Lady Suzanna have not been out to Rotten Row, I thought you might want to take a turn around the city in my carriage and see the sights.”
See the sights?Claire felt her heart hammering in her chest, recalling all too vividly how His Grace had taken her out for a ride in his carriage two weeks ago.
“Fresh air would do you good, my lady,” he urged, his voice an intimate cajole that made her want to take a step back.
Indeed, she felt that it might do her a world of good to step out of the townhouse for a moment and see the city once more. She might even see something she had missed, something that could complete her unfinished design.
“What say you, Lady Claire?”
She smiled weakly at the Marquess. “That sounds like a splendid idea, My Lord. But I do have to inform Lady Suzanna of this excursion.”
“Inform me of what?”
Claire nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard Lady Suzanna fire the question. She looked away from the Marquess as a soft blush came to her cheeks.
“I have taken it upon myself to invite Lady Claire for a turn about the city,” the Marquess smoothly answered for her. His dark eyes settled briefly on Lady Suzanna, who met them with her own piercing gaze. “I have noticed her low spirits and thought she might enjoy some fresh air.”
“Oh.” The duke’s sister paused, then turned to Claire. “It is perfectly all right with me, although you might want to inform my brother of your plans.”
It is not like he would miss me when I am gone, Claire thought with no small amount of sadness. She had missed him terribly but felt that it was probably for the best that they not see so much of each other. It would probably hurt to look at him.
On the other hand, she finally had the Marquess lavishing her with his attention.
