I swallowed when he finished, nodding my head. “I understand. And I think that is all very reasonable.”
David looked to me, a curiousness in his hazel eyes that reminded me of Peter.
How I would miss Peter’s playfulness.
“And you? Surely you think of more than just my money.”
I forced a laugh. “No, actually I am quite set on your money.” I remembered how I’d refused Peter’s offerings at every turn, how I’d wanted nothing from him, yet here I was asking for so much from a stranger. “But more so for my sister than for myself. You see, Clara is here for Sir Ronald. If he does not return her affection, we must keep from his family until she is recovered. And I want her to have another Season, if necessary, and every opportunity for a happy match.
“If theydowed, they may need support, and I want to be in a position to offer it. I do not need love as she does. But I cannot bear her unhappiness.”
David nodded, completely unaffected by my forwardness. “That is fair. And an easy price to pay for my family’s needs.”
Myfamily. He said the phrase as though they would always be separate from me. Separate from us. Clara and I against the world, as usual.
“I would need it written into our contract,” I said with as much pride as I could muster. “An unbreakable arrangement, unable to be abandoned.”
“My word is as good a deed.”
“I’m afraid I will not relent on the matter.” I pulled back on Grace’s leads, halting her.
“Why?” The creases of David’s eyes wrinkled, scrutinizing my stance.
“Because I am tired of living without certainty. I will not endure it again.”
He hesitated, then agreed with a firm nod of his head. “I am sure it can be done.”
We returned to the house without another word, both lost within our thoughts. Was this how my mother felt before marrying my father? Had she been this scared? If only Lord Gray had saved her then. Perhaps, as he’d said, we’d all have been better for it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Not now,” Clara said when I entered our bedchamber. “I do not want your secrets to ruin my dinner. But afterward, whenheis gone, you owe me an explanation.”
I nodded. She looked exactly like my mother had when she was cross. Clara did not speak a word to me as Mary finished fastening her dress, and I could not blame her. We did not keep secrets from one another, and I would be just as angry, just as hurt, if our roles were reversed.
Clara’s shiny blue dress shuffled as she descended the stairs. I wore yellow, with my hair pinned high atop my head. We were the last to arrive in the drawing room, and Clara left my side without a backward glance.
David met me at the door, but my eyes found Peter standing with his hands on his hips, his eyes shooting daggers, just behind him.
“Good evening, Miss Moore.” David bowed, then took my arm, barely giving my appearance note.
“Mr. Pendleton.”
He led me into the dining room, seating me beside Sir Ronald, across from Georgiana. Peter sat next to his sister, sawing the food on his plate with precise force.
Instead of the usual casual evening, an air of formality overtook the drawing room after dinner. The gentlemen took longer with their port and did not settle in as quickly with cards or other games. It felt like an evening during the Season, where the ladies held their tongues and batted their lashes while the gentleman discussed important topics.
When the hour struck nine, David stood. “Thank you for this afternoon, Demsworth, Aunt Violet. I should be on my way. I have business to attend to in the morning.”
“Of course,” Lady Demsworth said, casting me a worried glance. “We’ve quite enjoyed your visit.”
David turned to me. “Miss Moore, might I have a private audience with you on my way out?”
I felt the weight of every eye staring at me as I nodded slowly, taking David’s arm. Peter stood, but Georgiana grabbed his arm, pulling him back down beside her.
“Good night to you all,” David said, his voice distantly ringing in my ears.
In the entryway, Mr. Gregory handed him his coat and top hat, opening the door for us. Our feet crunched upon gravel as we walked toward David’s coach, arm in arm in the cool evening air.
