Chapter Eleven
The next daytensions were high as they all sat in the parlor. Clarissa plucked at an invisible piece of lint as Viscount Heathton rambled on about his hunting prowess. A fine quality to have, Clarissa agreed, but it was not a subject that she could spend the better part of an hour talking about. Nor did she want to.
As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t tell him to go home because she had no interest in his hunts or him for that matter. Nicholas was huddled in a corner of the room, enjoying a cup of tea with Gwen. Every once in a while, he would lift his hands and push them in the air, trying to prompt her to engage.
But, Lord above, this man was a bore. She wanted naught to do with him.
Near the window, Alexander seethed as his eyes shot spears of fire into Heathton’s back.
When James had announced Heathton’s arrival, Clarissa was shocked. Was it normal protocol to call on someone that was just visiting? She didn’t ken but found it odd.
Alexander had turned red as the gown she had purchased at the modiste the day before and his hands had fisted at his sides. But he had James show him to the parlor and refreshments brought in. Tea, sandwiches, and figs.
He had remained silent. Seething, but silent.
If he spoke, Clarissa was afraid of what might come out of his mouth.
“…and that was the second stag I shot on that particular outing. I have his antlers hanging on display in my study. The rack is quite impressive,” his gaze dropped to her chest and her cheeks flamed.
Alexander’s eyes bulged and Nicholas’s head shot up to glare at the man, before one of them hurried over.
“I believe ye have out welcomed your stay, Heathton,” Nicholas stated.
“But—”
Nicholas’s eyes blazed black and Heathton snapped his mouth shut. He stood and gave her a quick bow. “Miss Gordon.”
And then he was gone.
Clarissa breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, some silence.
“May I talk to ye about the partridge I shot when I was twelve?” Alexander jested.
“For the love of all things, that was the dullest hour of my life. And I have had some verra dull hours, but that, that was just horrid.”
“I am sorry he took such liberties. He willna be allowed to call again. I will make sure of it.” He smiled. “That is if he e’en wants to after Nicholas escorts him outside.” He winked. “Either way, I shall inform James that he is no longer welcome.”
She smiled her thanks and watched Gwen as she approached, a grin on her face. “Look at all the gentlemen tripping over themselves to assure ye are no’ insulted.”
Clarissa chortled. “I dinna think Nicholas counts. The man is my brother.”
“Aye, but Alexander isna, and he was at your side quicker than your brother.”
She sighed. He did come to her rescue in a breadth’s time. Not that it mattered. Nicholas was still being obtuse when itcame to Alexander. Just last eve, he had again warned her to stay away. For someone that claimed to be the man’s best friend, he certainly did not think enough of him to make a good match for his sister.
The man was a duke. No higher station than the king. What else did Nicholas want? Shouldn’t her happiness be taken into consideration?
Seeming to sense her plight, Gwen spoke up. “Give Nicholas some time. He will come around.”
She slid her gaze over to her sister-in-law. “I am no’ so certain of that. If he did, he would put an end to these callers. Can he no’ see I have naught interest in any of them?”
Gwen bit her lip and nodded. “I think he is beginning to see. I catch him watching the two of ye sometimes. He only wants ye to have a stable home and be taken care of.”
“And I only want to be happy,” Clarissa spurted.
It was the same thing she had heard over and over again.He only wants you to be taken care of.She would rather be poor than tied to a horrible, boring rich man. Or worse, a man of means that treated her poorly. Why was it that Nicholas could no’ see that?
“Viscount Heathton will no’ be entering the halls of Millwool any longer,” Nicholas said, entering the parlor. Standing beside Gwen’s chair, he squeezed her shoulder and she leaned into the caress. “I am sorry for making ye sit through that, sister. The man was a cad.”
