“This afternoon. He was so happy he almost wept. He believed a duel was inevitable and only a marriage alliance would save him.”
“If he knows half of what you know, he worried for good reason.”
“Clara reports that her grandmother is also elated.”
“I am sure, since she probably knows all that you do,” Langford said.
“So you decided to leave it all as it stood after all,” Brentworth said. “Just as well.”
Yes, just as well. He had faced a devil’s choice. He understood his father better now, and why he had ended it as he had.
“Let us go out,” he said. “It is too fine a night for this chamber. Langford, you can lead the way. We will visit your favorite lairs.”
Langford was on his feet at once. “Follow me, and we will reclaim our name. There is a most interesting party taking place tonight that you will both find a revelation. After that we will visit a new pleasure house that opened near Covent Garden. Stratton, you can remain in the gaming salon if you choose. Unless, until you marry you believe you can visit the more interesting chambers. There is one in which a woman shackles a man and uses a whip and a feather to—”
“It sounds inventive, but I will remain in the salon.”
* * *
Clara climbed out of her carriage at Gifford Hall. As soon as she did, the door opened and Emilia ran to her and embraced her.
“Theo told me. Everyone is so excited and happy. I think Stratton rather frightening still, but if you like him this is wonderful news.”
“I do like him. Very much.” Clara linked her arm through Emilia’s and they walked together. “Perhaps you can visit us, if you like. Should Grandmother ever become a trial.”
“Do you mean it? Here in London?”
“At any of his properties. You will always be welcomed as part of our family, Emilia. It is important to me that you know that.”
“I am so glad. My one sorrow since I heard was that we would not see each other so much anymore. This way we shall.”
Inside the house, Clara went to the morning room at once. Emilia trailed along.
“Has Grandmamma not yet come down?”
“She is still in her apartment,” Emilia said. “She chaperoned me last night at the theater. She had a wonderful time, since so many ladies stopped by to pay their respects. I am not surprised she slept in.”
Clara pictured her grandmother holding court in the family box at the theater. Of course she had a wonderful time with all of that groveling proving her place in society.
“I will go up to see her,” Clara said.
“You know she does not like that.”
“This cannot wait.”
Emilia thought better of joining her and stayed in the morning room. Clara mounted the stairs slowly, not looking forward to this meeting. She had not seen her grandmother since she wrote and told her of her pending engagement to Stratton. Five letters had come in reply, in fast succession, praising her in the first, and listing long series of instructions in the others.
She faced the door to the dowager’s apartment for a solid minute before knocking. Margaret opened it and led the way to the dressing room.
The dowager sat at her dressing table, dressed and ready. She looked over at her visitor and her whole expression lit. “Welcome, Duchess. I am delighted to see you, although it took you a good long while to come. Sit, sit. Margaret, have some coffee sent up. Lady Clara and I have much to discuss.”
“Please do not, Margaret. I will not be here that long.”
“Oh, tosh, of course you will stay. In fact, I have had your apartment made ready. It is best if you move back here until you marry.”
Clara did not argue. She wanted Margaret to leave, and this provided a reason.
“August would be good, I think,” the dowager said. “Ideally we would wait until the year of mourning is over, but I think we can wink at that. Or even July, if that would not be too rushed. Most of society is still in town in early July. It goes without saying that it must be a special license, but I doubt Stratton would have it any other way . . .”
