Other aspects of his new life loomed, although at the moment, his thoughts remained jumbled. But he would find a new path.
Damn Lady Clara Durham. Damn her to hell.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Monday, 29 August 1825
Hyde Park
Just after dawn
“My lady.” Radcliffshook Clara’s shoulder. “My lady, please. Please get up.”
Clara had watched Michael jerk Copper around, breaking into the wild gallop. She had heard his bellow of rage and pain, and her knees had given way. The tension, the fear, the fury of the morning vanished as his words hit her heart, and Clara had dropped to the ground as if all will had disappeared from her bones, her muscles, her mind. She covered her face with her hands and sobbed.
Radcliff tried again, but Clara could not move.
“How did you get here?” Robert’s voice was low, gentle.
“Our horses are in the trees,” Radcliff answered.
“She made you ride?” This time Robert’s voice held a hint of amusement.
“Yes, my lord. She always makes me ride.”
Never again,Clara thought.I will never make you do this again. I swear it.
“Fetch them.”
“Yes, my lord.” Radcliff’s footsteps padded away.
Robert’s hand rested on her arm. “Clara, you must get up. It will be vital that you be home before the duke’s dismissal arrives. Tell me you brought a cloak to cover your gown and hair.”
Clara finally moved, giving a single nod. “On my horse. Not that it matters after Saturday,” she murmured into the grass.
“It matters, damn it. Now get your arse off the ground.”
Robert’s curt words penetrated her mind, and Clara pushed up. He tucked his hands under her arms and lifted, almost forcing her upright. She found her footing and stared at him. His eyes narrowed, the muscles in his face hard. “I should leave you here in a lump for what you have done—”
“What I—”
“But I know my brother, and if anything is to be salvaged from this, you have to go into this with your head high and proud. We Ashtons know about scandal, and if you act defeated, thetonwill eat you alive. Stand straight and stare them in the face. Withdraw for a period, if that’s what you want, but never ever cower.”
Clara thought abruptly about Beth. “Like your sister.”
“Precisely.” Philip spoke from atop his horse, his hands holding the reins of Robert’s. “Time will not cease all gossip, but if you do not feed it, it will lessen as the weeks pass. They will find another target.”
“I will have to leave the house. My mother will insist.” She grimaced. “Has already insisted.” She shuddered, thinking about the storm that had rampaged through Beckcott Hall in the last twenty-four hours. “The end of the duke’s suit will not exactly be a surprise. I just do not know where I will go.”
Philip nodded. “I will call on Durham. Discuss options.”
She peered up at him. “Truly?”
Robert coughed. “We are not exactly innocent parties in all this, despite Michael’s outrage.”
“He hates me.”
“Only because he loves you.”
