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Kendrick winced. “Normally, I wouldn’t care. But Claire is a fine young woman. She’s going to be hurt. And Caroline…” He winced. “She will be very upset if you break Claire’s heart.”

I laughed. “Our hearts are not involved.”

Clifton leaned forward. “The longer you carry this out, the more likely she will develop feelings for you, if she hasn’t developed them already. And then, yes, you will break her heart. And our wives will make our lives miserable.”

I rose, the sound of the chair scraping on the floor loud in the room. Conversations died as people began to realize that something interesting was happening here. “Thank you for making me aware of your concerns. I will take it under advisement.”

“Tell me something.” Fairfax was leaning back, his body loose-limbed and lazy. I braced for what was coming. “How will you feel when she decides to take another man to her bed?”

A haze of anger swept over my vision at the suggestion. Claire was mine.

Fairfax was grinning now. “I thought as much.”

I swore and strode from the room and out of the club.

I told myself that I should go home. I didn’t live far from King’s, after all. But instead, I found myself turning and heading to Claire’s house.

Kendrick was correct, damn him. I needed to put an end to our affair. But not tonight.

Chapter 28

CLAIRE

Sighing, I set down my quill and reread the letter I’d just written for my sister. I couldn’t send it since I wouldn’t put it past my stepmother to hide it from her. I did hope that perhaps next season, when they returned to London, I’d be able to give it to my sister directly. For now, it would have to join the others I kept in a drawer of my dressing table.

After a light knock on the bedroom door, my maid entered.

“Lord Greyson is here to see you,” she said, with raised eyebrows and a knowing smile.

I thanked her and put my writing implements into the drawer along with the unsent letters. I spared a moment to look at my reflection in the mirror. I’d been worried that the staff I’d hired would judge me unfavorably, but when I’d met with Greyson’s housekeeper, she’d assured me that wouldn’t be an issue with the final candidates she’d selected.

The conversation had embarrassed me, but if the woman judged me harshly, she hid it well.

Satisfied that I was presentable, I went downstairs to greet him, my pulse already picking up. Despite the fact that he visited every day, we kept up the fiction that he was calling on me formally. And every time he did, a bubble of joy welled up within me.

He was looking out the drawing room window when I joined him.

“You’re here early. Did the others kick you out of the club?”

I know every line and muscle of this man well, so when he turned to face me, I could tell he was tense.

Each time he called, I wondered if this would be the day he told me our arrangement was at an end. I braced myself for that news now. Debutants no longer followed him everywhere he went, hoping to attract his interest. He no longer needed me.

When he smiled, I breathed a sigh of relief. Today would not be that day.

I moved closer and allowed him to pull me into his arms.

“Do you mind?” he asked.

“Never.”

He kissed me then. He meant it to be quick, but I was feeling greedy. With every passing hour we marched closer to the day he’d no longer want me.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and clung to him. With a soft murmur of surprise, he returned the kiss in earnest. When he pulled away to stare at me, his gaze was searching.

“We can go upstairs.” I was already breathless, anticipation high. I would never grow tired of this man. “Afterward I can ask for a dinner tray to be brought up.”

He swept a thumb over my lower lip and nodded. “How could I resist such a delightful proposition?”