Chapter 6 - Michael #2
But Michael personally thought Claire was twice as stunning. Not so obviously curvaceous, perhaps, but her thin frame was perfectly proportioned to the rest of her. It was like the time he’d gone to see an exhibition at the Academy with what felt like the rest of all the British peerage.
While the rest of the ton audibly exhaled their amazement at the luminous seascapes, craning their necks to get a better view amongst the crowd, Michael had found himself bored and wandered off into another room, only to be transfixed by a small painting of the English countryside.
The brush strokes were so flawless, so delicate, that he’d stood there alone for an hour, just marvelling.
He’d gone home quite pleased with himself for noticing what everyone else had failed to see.
Michael felt much the same about Lily and Claire—while the rest of the gentlemen were elbowing each other in the gut trying to get a better view of Lily, he’d be twice as happy in a room alone with Claire—just marvelling.
Michael internally shook his head and attended to the subject at hand. “Are you afraid that Lily might be taken in by a particular scoundrel because she’s too kind? Who were you going to mention?”
“I can’t think of an appropriate man at the moment, but you get my meaning.”
“Don’t you mean an inappropriate man?” He waggled his eyebrows; Claire gave a long-suffering sigh that made him smile. “I will keep an eye out for her. For all of you,” he quickly added.
“I certainly don’t need protection from fortune hunters,” she scoffed. “I have a plan, remember?”
As do I, Michael thought. His plan was simple—to find the most boring men in all of London and point them in her direction until Claire realized it was him alone she wanted as husband.
He said, “I believe it’s our plan now, as you’ve made me integral to the point.”
Claire barely escaped rolling her eyes that time; she pretended to examine the ceiling. Michael had to press his lips together tightly to hide his smile. He thought she must have seen a whisper of it on his face despite his efforts, as her green eyes hinted at a scowl.
“Very well,” she said. “Speaking of our plan, have you considered any gentlemen that might fit my parameters?”
“I have several in mind.” It wasn’t a lie—he’d already started crafting a list of the most eye-wateringly tedious men in all of England.
“Do tell,” she said crisply.
Michael’s expression was carefully guileless when he said, “Have you been introduced to Lord Lawrence?”
Claire leaned back, a slight wince on her face. “Yes, but—”
Michael pretended not to notice her disgust. “He’s made no secret he’s in the market for a wife.”
“I’m not sure he’s the best fit.”
He frowned. “He’s wealthy, titled, and available. Plus, he’d propose tomorrow if you earned his mother’s approval.”
“I’d hoped for a marriage partnership a bit more…equal.”
Michael couldn’t help it; he laughed—a great, rolling laugh that had many heads turning their direction. “Oh, sweet Claire—you aren’t going to find your equal amongst a bunch of Tweeds.”
She frowned. “Whyever not?”
“You’re lively and engaging. That’s the opposite of a Tweed.”
“We needn’t be equals socially, as long as we share other important values,” she said stubbornly.
He arched an eyebrow. “Such as?”
“Fiscal prudence, dedication to family…” She trailed off.
Michael sipped his tea in order to distract himself from the sight of her biting her lip. Then he said, “You do realize this isn’t going to work.”
She blinked at him. “What?”
“You getting a Tweed to marry you.”
“Why is that?”
To anyone else, perhaps the words would have sounded aloof, but Michael knew Claire better than that. He saw the flash of vulnerability play across her features.
“You’re far too interesting,” he said. “And witty. Not to mention beautiful. They’ll be intimidated.”
“Are you mocking me?” she asked, a glint of suspicion in her eye.
He grinned. “Good heavens, of course not. I’m telling the truth. And you’d better get used to taking a compliment if you’re going to have a successful Season.”
“I can take a compliment,” she grumbled.
“Are you sure? Because when someone says something nice to you, the proper response is ‘thank you,’ not an accusation that they’re secretly mocking you to your face.”
“Very well.” She flicked her hand in the air as if she wished to change the subject. “Besides Lord Lawrence, who might be a good match?”
“That’s another problem,” he said, pointedly ignoring her question. “How are you going to ensure that the Tweeds are the only men who come calling?”
She narrowed her eyes as if she suspected he might be joking again.
“I’m serious, Claire. You’re a beautiful young woman, and like it or not, there’s a hint of mystery surrounding your family, not to mention that your dowry is enormous. There will be numerous gentlemen interested in getting to know you better, and you had better prepare for it.”
Claire frowned as if that thought had never occurred to her.
“Are you simply going to tell the other men to go away?” he pressed.
“I hardly think that will be my largest concern. It certainly wasn’t during my first Season.” She swallowed and averted her eyes.
He canted his voice low. “Forgive me for saying so, but during your first Season, your brother already owed half the gentlemen in the ton. Your fortunes are very different now.”
“I wish someone had told me what the matter was back then,” she grumbled.
“I actually considered it before—” He let the silence hang between them. “Claire, why did you stop speaking to me?”
She shook her head, staring at her plate.
“Did I do something? Or fail to do something?” Michael watched her features closely.
In truth, he’d had high hopes Claire’s first Season. His mother always claimed that the best marriages were made between the best of friends.
Though he’d scoffed at her when he was younger, he now understood. For there was nothing he wished for more than to be with Claire every possible moment. He rubbed at his sternum, where the renewed hope of it tormented him.
“We grew apart.” Her tone was clear—she’d speak of it no further, at least not today.
Michael conceded the subject and leaned back.
“Your first Season was a terrible anomaly. Very few men in the ton would attach themselves to a family that was fiscally sinking. Noblemen are honor-bound to provide for their relatives, after all. It would take a man deeply in love to consider such a thing, as you have seven sisters.”
Michael didn’t mention that he’d done the calculations himself. Though the seven additional ladies to provide for would have been burdensome to say the least, he’d been ready to do that for Claire. Of course, that was before everything had changed between them.
“By all means, don’t spare my feelings.” Despite her words, her tone was light, bordering on amused.
“I don’t say it to be cruel. I only mention it to point out that this Season, there’s no such familial baggage holding you back. You might find yourself with more options than you realize.”
Claire appeared to ponder that possibility for several moments, then sat a bit straighter. “It hardly matters. I’m only looking for a Tweed.”
Michael smiled. Though she claimed otherwise, he knew Claire well enough to see that the thought of other suitors intrigued her despite her best efforts. Intrigued was but a half-step away from truly considering something.
Michael could work with intrigued.