She took the piece and placed it in the last remaining opening. “I’m not sure I believe that no one has ever won your heart. Women throw themselves at you.”
He shrugged. “It is all superficial. Women like to be wooed and paid attention too. It is nothing more than that. What about you? Men fall at your feet.”
Clara laughed. “Love is not for ladies like me. I am perfectly fine with that.”
He was quiet for a moment. “You never know. Perhaps it will happen. You will meet a lord who loves you and wants you to seek out any pursuits you desire.”
The thought was so far-fetched Clara had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. The future he suggested was not realistic and Clara couldn’t even fathom the possibility of it.
“We should go. The sun will be coming up soon,” Sam said.
She smiled, and they both stood. Clara didn’t know what to say to him. She was tempted to ask him to meet her again. He beat her to it and said, “Tomorrow same time? I have one more dissection.”
Clara laughed. “How can I refuse such an exciting offer?”
Chapter 5
The next evening Clara stood with Diana in Adderly’s ballroom. Hensley had begged off attending with an upset stomach. It was the last evening of the house party. Tomorrow, everyone would head to their own country estates to wait out winter. She missed her younger brother, Henry, but Clara had enjoyed the small reprieve from her parents and the continuous discussion on whom she would be betrothed to once the next season started. At least she had a few more months before any decisions would be made.
Clara caught sight of Sam across the ballroom laughing and joking with Lady Hawley. She hadn’t seen him since the hours they spent together building the dissection. Today, the men had gone one way and the ladies the other way. She frowned and turned back to Diana who was studying her intently.
“Is everything okay?”
Clara returned her expression back to a bland but pleasant one and said, “Of course.”
“You’re staring at Lady Hawley and Mr. Kincaide.”
Clara shook her head. “You’re mistaken.”
Diana was silent for a moment before she said, “He’s been watching you. Are you sure there isn’t something you haven’t told me?”
Clara felt the heat rise to her cheeks and opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. Diana’s brows furrowed in concern. “It isn’t wise for you to be connected with him. Mother and Father would be livid if there were even a hint of a rumor about the two of you.”
Clara drank her punch. A flash of anger shot through her, not directed at Diana but at her parents and their exceedingly high standards.
“Lady Hensley and Lady Clara, I wanted to say again how happy I am that you attended our house party,” Lady Adderly said, interrupting their discussion.
Diana smiled at her with all the graciousness that was ingrained in her. “We’ve had a lovely time.”
“Lady Adderly!” Lady Hawley yelled from across the room. “Lady Adderly!”
Clara had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. The lady was unacceptably loud and dramatic. She waved her hands obnoxiously, trying to get Lady Adderly to join her and Sam. Clara’s lips twisted in distaste. Lady Adderly waved at them but continued talking with Clara and Diana. “We’re hosting a ball when we return to London. We would love for you to attend.”
Clara was about to respond but was interrupted by the sudden appearance of an impatient Lady Hawley, her friend, and Sam.
“Lady Adderly, we just had to speak with you,” Lady Hawley said with a giggle, then grinning mischievously at Sam.
Sam winked back at her, and Clara felt a coldness radiate through her body. The emotion startled her. Lady Adderly smiled at Lady Hawley, exasperated, and said, “Yes.”
“We just wanted to say hello,” Lady Hawley said with another giggle.
Sam looked at Clara bemused and winked at her. She rolled her eyes, suddenly annoyed and angry at him. He could save his winks for Lady Hawley. She didn’t need them.
Lady Adderly laughed. “I was coming right over after I finished my conversation with Lady Clara and Lady Hensley.”
“We couldn’t wait,” Lady Hawley declared.
Sam chuckled at her silliness. Clara’s annoyance grew. She didn’t care who Sam spent time with. They were barely friends or as he liked to call it mates. Lady Hawley laughed loudly, and Clara snapped, “You are preventing us from finishing our conversation.”
