“Capital. I wish you a good day, Miss Sharp.”
I managed a small curtsy before he passed on the outside of the pavement. My entire body seized, and I couldn’t take another step. My grip loosened on my parasol, and it rolled off the edge of my shoulder. Hannah stooped to pick it up before I could gather my composure. Her face came into view, eyes round with concern. She extended the parasol, and my hand shook as I took it from her.
“The debt is paid,” I muttered. My own voice sounded distant and muffled.
A loud carriage rolled past, shaking me from my confusion. Surely I hadn’t heard Mr. Russell correctly. An anonymous donor had paid Freddy’s debt? Who could have done it? I pressed a hand to my chest, willing my heart to slow. It was already jumping to all sorts of conclusions, and a fresh spark of hope was burning inside me. I took a deep breath, but the fire in my chest only grew stronger.
“Is that what you heard?” I whirled to face Hannah. “Did he say the debt was repaid by an anonymous donor?”
Hannah nodded slowly. “I believe so, miss.”
The poor girl didn’t even know what debt I was referring to, but she had still confirmed that I hadn’t misheard Mr. Russell. It must have been Clark who paid him, but how? Who else could it have been?
A wild desire to find him overtook me. Tears burned the back of my eyes, and all the weight I had been carrying for weeks now cascaded down my shoulders and back, melting into a puddle at my feet. The Circus was only a five minutes’ walk from where I stood. I wagered it would take less than three minutes if I ran.
I took a steadying breath. No. Running was not necessary. But with how brisk my walking was, I might as well have been. Hannah struggled to keep pace with me, for her legs were much shorter than mine, and I was out of breath by the time I stood in front of the steps of the townhouse markedNo. 6.
I hesitated for a brief moment as my senses came pouring back. Was I really going to knock on that door? I hadn’t taken any time to plan what I would say, but I lunged up the steps and knocked anyway.
A few seconds passed before the door opened, a rigid, frowning butler standing behind it. He welcomed Hannah and me inside the entrance hall. I glanced at the portraits on the wall, my eyes settling on the one that had always been covered with a sheet. I finally understood why.
It was a portrait of Colin and Clark as young boys—it was obvious in their large blue eyes and dark hair. My gaze focused on the one who I knew to be Clark. The gentle playfulness of his disposition contrasted with the more serious expression on his brother’s face.
My study of Clark’s young features was interrupted by the sound of boots on the marble floor.
I looked away from the portrait, my heart leaping.
I was blinded for a moment by the sunlight streaming through the front window, but then Clark stepped into view. I didn’t have to study him closely to know it was him. His expression told me instantly—the raw emotion that spread across his features.
“Arabella.” He walked closer. His shirtsleeves were rolled up to his elbows, his waistcoat missing the top few buttons. His mussed hair fell over his forehead, and his hands were fisted at his sides. I saw his throat shift with a swallow. “How are you? Are you well?” He seemed uncertain of where to look, as if it physically pained him to meet my gaze.
Finally, his eyes found mine, cautious and slow.
I studied his face again, my own confusion doubling. Why did he seem to have no idea why I was there? I took a tentative step forward, leaving Hannah with my parasol and bonnet near the door. “May I speak with you privately?” I asked in a quiet voice. I hadn’t realized that I was still shaking. My legs quaked beneath me.
“Of course.” He gestured toward the drawing room, and I followed him there. I didn’t stop walking until I reached the center of the room and heard Clark close the door softly behind us.
I interlocked my hands in front of me, taking a deep breath before turning around. “How did you do it?”
His brow twitched in confusion. “What?”
“I was walking just now and was stopped by Mr. Russell. He told me the debt had been repaid, but he didn’t disclose who had done it. He said they wished to remain anonymous.” I caught my breath. “I knew it had to be you.”
Clark’s eyes rounded as my words seemed to sink in. “It wasn’t me.”
“Please don’t lie.”
He strode forward, shaking his head. “I haven’t been in contact with Mr. Russell at all. I met with several other creditors in the hopes of obtaining a loan, but I was unsuccessful.” His eyes traced over my face. “I would gladly take the credit for being your hero, but I’m afraid I cannot.”
My heart pounded. I tried to focus on the mystery of the situation, but I was helplessly distracted by what it all meant: I was no longer required to marry for money.
Clark seemed to recognize the same thing, because his eyes were already softening. A sharp exhale escaped him. “Are you certain it was paid in full?” he asked in a cautious voice. If it wasn’t true, then there would be nothing to celebrate. Until we understood where the money had come from, how could we know for certain that it was true?
It seemed far too perfect to be real.
“Thatiswhat Mr. Russell said. I can’t comprehend it. Who could have done it?”
Clark’s jaw tightened, his eyes flooding with realization. “I explained the situation to Colin yesterday. He must have taken the matter upon himself.” He rubbed the back of his neck, drawing a deep breath. He shook his head in amazement before his eyes met mine again. “I wasn’t made aware that he planned to do this.”
