Chapter 19
Trying not to search the room for Lord Rutland was proving more of a challenge than Clara had anticipated.
The soiree had its entertainments but her mind was fixed on one person only.
She turned slowly on her heel, scanning the crowd, before looking back in her mother's direction.
Lady Tyrone had one eyebrow cocked, her eyes searching Clara's face --- and making Clara flush hot.
"I must say, you are certainly somewhat unsettled this evening," her mother remarked, as Clara glanced away from her, then dropped her gaze to the floor. "Are you expecting to see someone particular?"
Quickly she shook her head, aware that she was lying but having no desire to tell her mother the truth.
"Not in the least." She looked up at her mother and then smiled.
"You know that I am always eager to be in Alice's company.
" Clara had much to tell her cousin, including her plan to include herself, Lord Rutland and Lord Worthington in the discussion that would follow Thomas's unexpected arrival, which was, she expected, to take place tomorrow.
Her thoughts sent a curl of nervous anxiety into her stomach.
"I was wondering if she would be present this evening. "
Lady Tyrone's curious expression faded instantly. "Yes, of course, I should have thought. It is so very good that you are both here together, although I have heard that Lord Worthington is soon to ask her to court."
"I do not know for certain but I would not be surprised." Clara shrugged but smiled at her mother despite the tension in her stomach, watching and waiting for Lord Rutland's arrival. "I would be very glad for her if it was to come to engagement. Lord Worthington is an excellent gentleman."
Her mother nodded slowly. "And acquainted with Lord Rutland, I believe. A very close friend, in fact."
Clara said nothing to this, her stomach lurching from one side to the other. Did her mother suspect that she was in some way involved with Lord Rutland? Or was it that she simply knew that Clara had never once forgotten him?
"I do not know why your brother continues to refuse the connection," Lady Tyrone sighed, taking Clara's hand and pressing it. "I did bring it to him very recently, in fact, and ---"
"You brought what to my brother?" Clara's heart began to quicken, fear beginning to build in her core. "You spoke of Lord Rutland?"
Her mother nodded. "Indeed, I did. I told your brother that I could see the longing in your eyes whenever you looked at the gentleman.
I told him that he was wrong to keep you back from such happiness and that all he needed to do was set aside whatever it was that made him think such a match would not bring blessing.
" Her lips flattened. "It did not bring any happiness nor fulfilment of my desires.
Your brother refused to permit me to even mention Lord Rutland any longer.
No matter how much I begged him to explain the truth to me, he would not. "
And then, shortly thereafter, he went to speak to Lord Atherstone.
A weight dropped into Clara's stomach. "I thank you for availing yourself on my behalf, Mother."
"I wish that I had found success."
Clara's lips curved into a sad smile. "As do I."
"Ah, there you are!"
A loud, brash voice interrupted their conversation and, her head turning, Clara's heart threw itself up in both fright and dislike as she took in Lord Atherstone's presence. Had he somehow heard her thoughts? Was this now why he was approaching?
"I am glad to see you, Lady Clara," he said, ignoring her mother completely.
"Might I say just how beautiful you are?
" He laughed before she could respond, reaching out to brush his fingers across her arm as if, somehow, he was permitted such an intimacy.
"I am overjoyed to be in your company again, especially now that I know there is some.
.. consideration on your part as regards me. "
Clara's eyebrows shot upwards. "I beg your pardon?"
"You need not blush!" Lord Atherstone laughed, as Clara looked to her mother who was staring, wide eyed, at Lord Atherstone. "Your brother has come to inform me of it all! You have been hopeful of my particular interest ever since we were first introduced, is that not so?"
Shaking her head fervently, Clara glanced at her mother and then looked back to Lord Atherstone who was still grinning broadly. "I am afraid that my brother has made some mistake, Lord Atherstone."
"Oh, that cannot be true," Lord Atherstone responded, at once.
"I know your brother very well and he does not speak lies.
" Leaning towards her, his smile still fixed, a gleam came into his eye.
"I understand that every young lady might say such things in the company of the gentleman they desire but you need not pretend now, Lady Clara. "
Clara stiffened, her skin prickling from where his fingers had brushed her arm.
She was about to speak firmly, about to say decisively that she had no interest in his company and certainly did not want to even think about courtship, given that was what he was implying, but before she could say a word, her brother strode towards them.
"Atherstone!" he exclaimed, his eyes dark with obvious irritation. "Whatever are you doing?"
Lord Atherstone laughed again, the sound grating on Clara. "Why, I am just speaking with your sister!"
"About what, might I ask?"
Lord Atherstone snorted and shook his head. "You need not pretend, Lord Tyrone, just as your sister does not need to pretend. Now that you have come to me, I have every hope that this interest she has in my company will lead to a stronger connection between us."
Clara folded her arms over her chest and glared at her brother who refused now to look into her eyes. "Tyrone?"
"I do not think that speaking here is either the correct place for such a conversation or the right time for it either," Lord Tyrone stated, still not looking at Clara.
"You may be delighted at all I have shared with you, Atherstone, but I did ask you not to speak to my sister until I directed you to. "
Anger began to bubble in Clara's chest, her face growing hot.
So then, it seemed as if her brother had decided who she was going to court --- and all without a word to her!
"As I was just explaining to Lord Atherstone, I have never said a good word about him to you, brother," she stated clearly, her emphasis making Lord Tyrone wince.
"It seems very strange to me that you would have such a conversation with Lord Atherstone when I have given you no impression at all of that. "
Someone touched her shoulder and Clara was about to brush it off, only to turn her head and see her mother tilting her head in a very strange fashion indeed. Clara took a moment to collect herself and, looking the way her mother had directed, settled her gaze upon Lord Rutland.
He was frowning, hard.
Relief poured into her and she let out an audible breath. With confidence filling her, she turned her attention back towards Lord Atherstone and her brother, quite certain that she would bring an end to this once and for all.
"This is very confusing indeed!" Lord Atherstone exclaimed, looking from Clara to Lord Tyrone and back again.
"You assured me, Lord Tyrone, that Lady Clara thought very highly of me.
You told me that a thought of courtship had been in her mind and you came to me, wondering what my position on such a thing might be. Now I hear that you were mistaken?"
More than mistaken. He has been lying to you. Despite the desire to say such a thing, Clara kept her mouth closed but her gaze fixed to her brother. Lord Tyrone pushed one hand through his hair, let out a slow hiss of breath and then returned his attention to Clara.
"As I have said, this is not the time nor the place for such a discussion --- but yes, Clara. I did speak to Lord Atherstone about you. I think that this is an excellent match and one that you will consider."
A slight worry flicked across Clara's forehead. He had not said that he thought she should consider him, only that she would consider. Was Tyrone refusing to give her any choice in the matter, then?
"I have considered it," she said, clearly, speaking with confidence and determination.
"I considered it from the very first moment of our meeting, Lord Atherstone, and I am afraid to say that I have already determined that we would not be suitable.
I must apologise on my brother's behalf, given that he has clearly determined that we would suit without any consideration or discussion with me. "
Lord Atherstone scowled but sent it solely in Lord Tyrone's direction. "I am surprised at you, Tyrone. The way you spoke made it sound as though the matter was already settled!"
"That is because it is." Lord Tyrone drew himself up, a commanding presence now. "Clara, I have determined that he is the gentleman you shall marry. Lord Atherstone is willing to have you and since he has both an excellent situation and suitable fortune, I have decided that the match will be made."
Despite the gasp from her mother, Clara was not in the least bit moved.
She looked back at her brother, taking him in and wondering at the firm way he spoke.
Did he truly believe that she would simply comply?
That she would do as he stated without question?
Her brow furrowed, realizing that, whilst she held Lord Thomas responsible for what he had done as regarded Miss Jennings, Tyrone was not behaving well towards her either.
There was no need for this! There was no explanation for it either, she realized, wondering why he seemed so heavy handed.
"Well, that is a little better," Lord Atherstone said, his lip curling slightly as he looked back at Clara. "I do not know why you would think me unsuitable, Lady Clara, but I can assure you ---"
"Alas, I am afraid I must decline." Clara, seeing Lord Rutland moving towards them, seeing the steel glint in his eye and feeling her own upset at her brother propelling her to act, lifted her chin and looked directly at Lord Tyrone.
"Brother, you may have decided for me but I refuse to accept that.
There is no reason for your heavy handedness, especially when you told me that I could make my own choice. "
Lord Tyrone's jaw jutted forward, his eyes narrowing. "That was before I realized that you were going against what I had made clear, Clara," he responded, his voice low and dark. "I told you to stay away from Lord Rutland ---"
"And I ignored you," Clara interrupted, seeing Lord Rutland come to a stop just behind her brother. "You gave me no explanation, no reason as to why I should end my connection with him. You did not care for my broken heart but instead, forced me to act in a way that went against all that I felt."
"As is my right as your brother and as head of this family."
Clara shook her head. "No, Tyrone. You have no right to trample over my heart and my future simply because you have determined it best for me. I refuse to marry Lord Atherstone. I will not give him my promise, I will not make my vows to him. I refuse."
Lord Tyrone took a step forward as Lord Atherstone let out such an exclamation that more than one head turned in their direction.
Clara's heart was beating steadily, her calmness surprising her in the face of such turmoil.
Mayhap it came from her determination to finally take a hold of what she had wanted for so long --- and to reject the future her brother had laid out for her.
"Clara, let me make myself quite clear."
"No." Holding up one hand, palm out towards her brother, Clara ignored the shocked gasp that came from her mother and, no doubt, from one or two others who were now listening in.
"I will not listen to any more threats from you.
I will not be bound by them." Turning her head, she looked straight into Lord Atherstone's eyes.
"I am afraid, Lord Atherstone, that my brother cannot speak for me for he does not know that I am already engaged. "
Another gasp came from Lady Tyrone but Clara did not falter, sensing rather than seeing a new presence beside her.
"I --- I..." Lord Atherstone's mouth fell open as Lord Tyrone let out a dark exclamation and moved to stand between Clara and Lord Rutland --- but Clara acted quickly and slipped her arm through that of her beloved.
"I am engaged to Lord Rutland," she said, loudly enough for half the room to hear her. "And we shall be wed by the Season's end."
The shock that came from her statement practically reverberated around the room.
Lord Atherstone threw up his hands and began berating Lord Tyrone in a furious manner, preventing him from coming any closer to Clara and Lord Rutland.
Clara's mother burst into tears but, smiling through them, embraced Clara as best as she could, given that Clara was making sure to hold onto Lord Rutland's arm so he could not be pulled from her by her brother.
Within a few seconds, the room erupted into exclamations and murmurs, with ladies streaming from all directions, coming towards Clara and Lord Rutland to congratulate them both.
Breathless, Clara looked up into Lord Rutland's face. His eyes were bright, his smile so wide it transformed him entirely, and when he looked down at her, he let out a laugh --- a sound so open and unguarded that Clara felt her own chest crack wide with happiness.
One look over her shoulder told her that her brother was quite the opposite. His face was dark, his eyes narrowed and his jaw tight with anger as Lord Atherstone railed at him.
Clara did not care. She only smiled at her brother, tilting her head as she leaned into Lord Rutland's arm. Whatever his reasons were, they would come to light soon enough.