Lady Tyrone closed her eyes. "I do not know," she said, bleakly. "David will not tell me of it but has insisted that I make certain the letter is written and sent."
"I refuse." Clara lifted her chin a notch, folding her arms over her chest as tears burned in her eyes. "I will not write that letter to Lord Rutland. Mama, he wants to marry me! Why must I turn from him?"
"You will have to ask your brother," came the reply. "But recall, Clara, he is the Marquess of Tyrone. He holds your father's title now, and all the authority of the Frankton name. Even if you refused to write this letter, he would find a way to end the connection between you. He will not give his consent."
"But what are his reasons for that?" Clara cried, tears splashing onto her cheeks, sobs threatening to take a hold of her. "Why would he demand that I step back from Lord Rutland? There is no good reason for him to do so. Lord Rutland is an excellent gentleman with superb character and ---"
"I know, I know, my dear." Her mother stepped forward and enfolded Clara in her arms. "If there was an explanation, then I would be glad to give it but there is not. For that, I am terribly sorry."
The tears came with ever increasing strength as Clara was held tightly in her mother's embrace. Her whole body shook withsobs, the quiet determination she had to refuse her brother's demands fading away. Yes, she could still speak to David --- she could demand an explanation, plead with him, rage at him if she must --- but her mother was right. He was Lord Tyrone now, head of the Frankton family, and he had all the authority. If he did not wish to share his reasons, then he would not. If he insisted that Lord Rutland was not to be considered, then she would have no choice but to step back from him, even if it was to break her heart in the process.
I love him,she thought to herself, as her mother soothed her as best she could.But now, it seems, I am never to be in his arms again.
1
Josiah rubbed one hand over his face. "I do not want to be here this evening."
"I am well aware of that," his friend returned, with a shrug. "But I have been quite determined not to let you sulk at your estate for the entirety of the Season. Therefore, you are here now in London and you are going to enjoy yourself. What more delight could there be than this?"
Scowling, Josiah folded his arms over his chest and glowered at the gathered crowd as if they were solely responsible for all the displeasure he felt at present.
"You are much too downhearted," Lord Worthington continued, spreading out his arms wide. "Look here! See how many lovely young ladies are present, simply waiting for your company!"
"And if I do not want to give it?"
Lord Worthington sighed heavily and shook his head. "Must you be in such a foul temper? Especially when you will not tell me what has happened to make you so?"
Josiah said nothing. Worthington had visited in February and noticed the change in him at once --- had badgered andcajoled until Josiah, worn down and unable to explain why he wished to stay hidden at his estate, had agreed to come to London. Now it was mid-April. The Season had barely begun, and already he wished himself anywhere but here.
"You are determined to be difficult, then," Lord Worthington finished, clicking his tongue in displeasure. "I do not know why you must be so. I do wish you would explain it to me."
"There is nothing to say," Josiah replied, with a scowl. "Trust me, my friend, it is a sorry tale and not one that I wish to repeat."
Lord Worthington lifted an eyebrow but Josiah said nothing more, keeping his arms folded and his scowl fixed in place. There was nothing here that he wanted to be a part of, nothing that would bring him any delight. He should have found the strength to refuse Lord Worthington but his friend had worn him down until he had been forced to agree. Mayhap he should have been stronger in his determinations. Mayhap he should have refused, should have held out until Lord Worthington had been the one to give in.
But I am here now,he told himself, wondering if he ought to pull himself out of his regret and try to focus his attentions now on simply being present.I cannot return home, not now that all the arrangements have been made.
"I am concerned for you, my friend."
Josiah pushed his thoughts away and then looked back at his friend. His heart flooded with a little guilt as he realized that Lord Worthington was doing nothing more than what he thought best, responding to Josiah's melancholy in the only way he could think to do --- and this without any explanation from Josiah himself.
"I thought London would lift your spirits," his friend continued, his brows now sitting heavily over his eyes. "There are many wonderful young ladies that would delight in the attentions of an Earl!"
A scowl returned to Josiah's face in an instant.
"And if you are not interested in flirting or the like, then there are bound to be many other entertainments," Lord Worthington continued, speaking hastily now. "There will be soirees, card games, excellent brandy, fireworks... all in the name of good fun."
Josiah's scowl lingered. "The majority of those who come to London for the Season come in the hope of securing a suitable match," he said, as Lord Worthington shrugged. "I am not inclined towards such a thing. Nor do I want any young lady to think that I have any interest in them."
"Then cards and brandy it is!"
This made the edge of Josiah's lips shift upwards. "Yes, I suppose that is so," he agreed, as Lord Worthington grinned, seeming to be relieved that he had made Josiah smile even a little. "And you, my friend? Are you seeking to make a match this Season?"
A flush of red came into Lord Worthington's face but he did not drop his steady gaze from Josiah's face. "Yes, I am."
This made Josiah's eyebrows lift in surprise.
"I have decided that since it is my duty to take a wife and produce the heir, I shall not delay in fulfilling that duty," he said, firmly. "I have no brother, as you know, so the line would then fall to a cousin of mine. A cousin who is not in the least bit worthy of it! Therefore, I must make sure to find a wife and have the child produced within the shortest time possible."
