“But to suggest she manipulated the duel, it makes her sound very callous.”
“Exactly.” Mars edged forward, wanting her to understand. “Mother knows that I have spent a small fortune making Dervil pay in any way possible for my father’s death. Knowing that Dervil wants this position and onlymyvote would block it? She is dangling that in front of me.”
“Although Lord Dervil should be stopped. I’ve never met him. However, I’ve heard the stories. He seems a selfish man who shouldn’t be given any power.”
“I agree. I will vote against him. I will show up for that vote.”
“Then your father’s death will be avenged,” she said with satisfaction, as if finishing a tale of justice.
Mars could have spit out,Not hardly. He’d not have peace until Dervil’s life drained from his body the way he’d watched his father die. He longed to have Dervil look into the bore of his pistol, the same way his father had stared into his opponent’s all those years ago. He wanted Dervil to know that death was coming and Mars planned on being the one to deliver it.An eye for an eye...a life for a life.
Clarissa would never understand such raw, angry emotion. Or that her faith in a caring, gentle world was not his belief. A man had to protect what was his. And if in pursuing justice, something happened to him, Mars needed a strong mentor to protect and guide Dora. A person with character and compassion.
Clarissa.
“When Dervil learns that I stirred myself to make an appearance only to vote against him, he will strike out,” he warned her. “He’ll attack any way he can. And if he hears Dora’s story? Or if my mother does?” He shook his head, leaving her imagination to see the worst.
She surprised him. “Not if you are honest. So, she was born on the wrong side of the covers? Amongst your set, many are. Mr. Thurlowe was and his father acknowledged him.”
“Ask Thurlowe when he last saw his father. It has been years. He’s been an obligation, not a member of the family. I do not want rumors associated with my daughter. Certainly you of all people understand. Life is harder for women. Thurlowe had the opportunities of his sex. What will Dora have?”
“My lord, you can’t change what has already happened. You are being unreasonable.”
He came to his feet, frankly stunned. “I’m hearing this fromyou?” He paced a few steps to the hearth, shaking his head before saying, “You are a truly beautiful woman with a good heart and a fine mind. Why do you think the matrons had to force someone to offer for you?”
She rose, the movement graceful... befitting a countess, he realized. Although her expression was far from peaceful. “What are you saying, my lord?”
“What you already know,” he answered. “Oh, come now, Clarissa. Certainly you did?”
She stared, almost as if she dared him to speak the truth. “Know what?”
With an exasperated sound, he said, “That you should have had bucks lined up outside your door mad to marry you.”
“My parents were ill. I was busy nursing them.”
And she wasloyal. He mentally added the characteristic to his list of Clarissa’s strengths.
“Yes, true,” he agreed. “However, you also lacked fortune and—” He paused, wantingto be gentle and yet, she was the one who felt honesty could overcome obstacles. She needed to understand, that wasn’t true. The world was cruel. “And your parentage was questionable.”
For the longest beat, his words seemed to hang between them. Her expression barely changed... until she drew herself up to her full diminutive height and answered, “Yetyouhave asked me to marry you. I suppose you believe I should throw myself at your feet in gratitude.”
“That is not my purpose—”
She cut him off. “I don’t know how you can be the way you are. Always cynical. Always distrusting. You like being alone, don’t you?”
Now it was his turn to feel judged. “I have friends.”
“All male and a very close circle, no?”
True. Very true.
“You don’t like women.”
“I like some very much. Dora is proof of that.”
“I think your mother has colored your view of my sex.”
Without a doubt. Still, he found the realization disconcerting.
