“I have discovered, my lady, that I have been away from Society for so long that my interests and tastes have changed somewhat. My brothers have cautioned me to keep such things to myself, but I find that harder than I used to.”
“So the world in which you have been immersed was more outspoken.”
“Indeed it was. I have become quite accustomed to speaking my mind, which can lead—as you witnessed last night—to some unfortunate confrontations.”
“I suspect, sir, that in the long term, the only one who will consider last night’s events as unfortunate will be Lord Richard.” Clara paused. “And my mother.”
Michael bowed his head for a moment. “Yes, I could see she was less than pleased. I hope she was not too harsh on you.”
Radcliff sniffed, and Michael’s smile widened as he leaned a little closer to Clara, whispering. “I see Radcliff is as opinionated as ever.”
Clara could not help but grin. “So did you believe my answer to your question?”
He leaned back in the chair. “I did, and I admire you the more for it. I would very much like to see you and Maid Marian on the hunt someday. I am sure it is a magnificent sight.”
Clara felt her tension lift and she looked up, as if she could see the peregrine on the ceiling. “It is! She is intelligent and devoted, and simply glorious in flight. To see her soar, respond when I call her, hover, then stoop into a dive nearly stops my heart. It’s as if I am with her, up there. The wildness of it captures me.”
Radcliff cleared her throat, and Clara looked down, realizing Michael’s eyes had gone wide—and her hand was in the air, waiting for her falcon to land. She dropped it into her lap. “Apologies, my lord.”
“No!” He reached over and snagged her hand, clutching it. “Do not stop. Your passion for her is compelling.”
This time Radcliff hissed again. “My lady!”
Clara shivered, the heat of his hand on hers pulling her closer to him. The intensity of his deep brown eyes captivated her. He had not been shocked by her—he had been fascinated.
“Thank you, my lord,” she murmured, slowly drawing her hand from his. Again. And she realized that she very much did not want to do so.
But Michael, too, seemed to return to propriety, pushing back in the chair, the light in his eyes dulling a bit.
Clara cleared her throat. “And, you, my lord? Did you give any consideration to the question I asked you?”
“Indeed I did, although I can assure you the answer is far less entertaining than yours.” He sat a bit straighter. “When I returned to Ashton House, I was”—he hesitated and looked away for a moment—“less than fit for proper Society. I needed to recover and spend time reacquiring the lessons we learned as boys, but which I had long since forgotten.”
She studied him. “Such as?”
He cleared his throat. “Dancing, for one.”
“Dancing?” Even as she asked, Clara realized she had not seen him at a ball all season, until last night. “You have forgotten how to dance?”
“I am afraid so. Any skill left unused for four years will become... unlearned. My sister has been aiding me in that matter, but my progress has been slow. And now I suspect it will stop altogether.”
A tinge of worry tugged at Clara. “Why do you think so?”
“Because Lady Elizabeth has decided to retire to—” He paused again, and a dark blush filled his cheeks. “I—I should not say—”
Clara’s eyes widened. Michael may not have retained his Society savvy, but Clara heard the implication in his words all too well. “Are you saying the marquess has rescinded—”
Behind them, Radcliff gasped.
Clara shook her head. “Surely, not because of last night—”
Michael leaned forward, grabbing her hand again. “No! Of course, not. He told me earlier—before all that—” He released her hand abruptly and pressed both of his down on the arms of the chair, gripping them tightly. “It’s because of my brother. The marquess had already planned—”
“Ah.”
He stared at the floor. “I should not have said anything. It is not to be public knowledge.”
“They may not make an announcement,” Clara murmured, “but it will be public knowledge and sooner than you may realize.” She sighed. “I am so sorry. She must be devastated.”
