Chapter Twelve #2
After all, an earl trumped a baron any day, and while her father’s viscountcy was one of the oldest in England, Mama’s aspiration had always been to marry Clem into a higher rank.
In her mother’s eyes, Rufus would be the perfect husband. Perfect, polished, and—most importantly—present, a peer of the realm for her precious daughter.
The fact that they were friends would tip the scales if Mama thought she could secure a proposal from him.
Clem sighed. Getting her parents to accept plain Mister William Ravenshoe as her choice of husband was going to be an uphill battle.
The reminder of the social stakes involved stole Clem’s appetite.
She picked at her food, moving it around the plate until a worried look from Mama forced her to consume several morsels.
Dinner seemed interminable, her conversation was lackluster, and the men, including her younger brother, Phillip, now eighteen and welcome in their company, took forever over port. When they finally joined the ladies in the drawing room, Clem was wound tighter than Papa’s fob watch.
Rufus made his way across to the quiet corner Clem had selected and sat beside her on the sofa. As she opened her mouth to quiz him about why he had been invited, Phillip bounded up, excited as an eager puppy to talk more with Rufus. In her brother’s eyes, she noted a gleam of hero worship.
“Clem, move. I want to talk more with Lord Marsden.”
“Manners, Phillip.” Rufus’s tone was mild but firm. “Your sister and I are in conversation, and your mother is quite alone. Your duty as a good son should be to see to her needs. Look, she does not have a glass.”
Phillip looked taken aback at the politely delivered reminder of his filial duty, but he bowed with all the affronted stiffness of a newly minted adult. “Of course. Please excuse me while I see to my mother.”
When her brother was out of hearing range, Clem spoke quietly to Rufus.
“I have heard Phillip speak of Leipzig and Russia to Papa, but our father is not inclined to engage in deep discussion with him. He was excited when he heard you were to be our dinner guest. I’m surprised he managed to resist talking about the war at dinner. ”
“He did ask if I’d been on a battlefield. I deflected.”
“A sensible move, but be warned. He will talk your ear off if you give him the slightest encouragement.” Clem scanned the room. Everyone was currently engaged in conversation and would be for a few precious minutes, so she leaned towards him.
“Tell me, is there news of Will? How goes your investigation into Lord Hetherington, and why did my mother invite you to dinner tonight?”
Rufus allowed himself a soft snort, and one eyebrow rose. “Is that all you wish to know?”
“Rufus! You know Mama will insist on claiming your attention in a very short time. Quickly, tell me.”
“Quick it shall be. In order—No; the investigation is in motion, and I don’t know, unless it’s because I have invited all of you to join me in my pavilion to watch the show. That, and your mother lives in hope of our union. Was that succinct enough for you?”
Clem’s hands curled in her lap, and she pressed her fists against her thighs, huffing out a soft sigh. “It’s so frustrating. For months, I made myself be content with the knowledge that Will was safe, but the war has been over for ages, and he has not come back to me and in the meantime—”
“I may have news in a few days, but—”
“Of Will? Is he coming home?”
“I meant about your annoying suitor.”
“I cannot marry him. Please, Rufus.”
Rising panic stole Clem’s voice, and she closed her eyes. If Rufus wasn’t successful in his investigation into the man, would she be able to hold out against her parents’ combined wishes? She sent up a fervent prayer for deliverance by any means.
Perhaps she could fake an illness or run away or—
“Trust me, Clem, I won’t let it come to that.”
Her eyes sprang open, and she met Rufus’s gaze. “How did you know what I was thinking?”
He gave a small smile. “You have two things you consistently ask me. They are both linked to Will. When your thoughts are on him, your eyes sparkle like sunlight on water, and when you worry about what his absence might cause to happen, your brow tightens. Things are under control.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Clem noted her mother’s attention fall on her. “Thank you, my friend. I would be lost without your support. Now, I do believe my mother is going to invite you to join her. Can we meet tomorrow?”
“Unfortunately not, but I’ll send word if I have any news. Stay resolute, my dear.”
As Clem had predicted, at that moment, Mama called for Rufus’s company. “Lord Rufus, come and sit with me. I should like to hear more about the Prince Regent’s continuing celebrations.”
“Indeed, Lady Basingthwaite, it has been a summer filled with celebrations. I am looking forward to this evening’s entertainment at the canal.
” Rufus stood, straightened his jacket, and picked up his cane, which Clem was certain he no longer needed, but which had become so much a part of his image that he would not easily relinquish it.
He turned momentarily to Clem and lowered his voice so only she would hear him. “I will call again when I am able.”
Holding fast to his promise, Clem gave him a bright smile and raised her voice so Mama would hear and approve. “I shall look forward to your next visit, my lord.”
Her mother smiled triumphantly and patted the sofa beside her, moving her skirt and drawing Rufus like prey into her spider web.