But she knew the truth. About everything.
Finally.
She’d been the silly one to believe her husband cared for her, that perhaps they could have a true marriage. Instead, she realized she was just a means to an end.
He’d planned to challenge Dervil. He’d come to London to do this whether by sparking the lord’s anger over the vote or some other means. It all made perfect sense. Mars had said as much that night in the nursery when he’d asked her to marry him. He had been completely honest about his intentions to confront Lord Dervil and that their marriage was his way of ensuring Dora was cared for because if he didn’t die, he’d certainly have to leave the country. And to think she’d been flattered that he had considered her a good influence over Dora—so that he could do as he wished and leave Clarissa to be the responsible one. The caretaker. The custodian. The anything he didn’t wish to be.
She was the fool.
Suddenly, Clarissa didn’t care what people thought. She needed to escape. She ran, pushing people aside, shoving her way into the ballroom and not stopping until she was out the front door and into the night.
Chapter Seventeen
Women will never understand honor. They believe reason will lead to justice. How little they understand the male mind.
—Book of Mars
Mars frowned at the sight of Clarissa running from him. Of course she wasn’t pleased with his challenging Dervil.
However, he was doing it for her.
Well, and himself as well. Andthe world. Yes, he’d challenged Dervil for the world. The world would be glad to be rid of his kind—and Mars definitely intended to see the man dead.
Although Mars knew his temper had the best of him. But he wasn’t ready to let go of it.
When he’d walked out and seen Dervil standing so close tohiswife, Mars had lost all semblance of sanity. He’d never been one to be jealous over a woman before but he’d lunged forward to protect Clarissa and to lay his claim. It was obvious to him that Dervil wastaking advantage of her, probably as a way to strike back at him.
But to learn Dervil was the father who had abandoned Clarissa? The father who had betrayed the young girl who had been her mother?
Mars wanted to smite him down with the forceful grace of an avenging angel.
Oh, he could imagine it all. Dervil tossed women aside with abandon. Obviously even those carrying his child. Clarissa would understand the wisdom of Mars’s actions once he explained them to her.
Dervil spoke up, his voice cold. “You have greatly insulted me, Marsden, and in a very public way.”
Public?
Only then did Mars fully realize that they had an audience. Avery interestedaudience.
Yes, he’d registered their presence peripherally when Clarissa had left, although he hadn’t truly processed the presence of so many fellow humans. He’d been too intent on his motive. Too driven by his need for revenge.
And now?
Now he questioned if he’d been wise. No wonder Clarissa was upset.
Dervil continued. “Since I’m the one challenged, I choose pistols.” He didn’t wait for Mars to respond but looked over to a gentleman standing near the door. “Roberts, will you serve as my second?” Mars knew Lord Roberts. He was a neighbor in Grosvenor Square.
“I would be happy to, my lord,” Roberts responded.
“Albertson?” Dervil said to another.
“Honored,” Albertson answered with a bow.
For all his plans to challenge Dervil, Mars had not thought about whom he could call upon to be seconds. This was a problem.
Dervil coolly returned to Mars. “Primrose Hill. Do you know the place?”
He’d heard of it. Many duels were fought there.
