“I am adding a little paprika,” he turned to face her, fetching the spice from his pile with a smile, his green eyes filled with excitement. “We are almost done!”
Those green eyes made her stomach twist in a very confusing way. Was she nervous?It is just Luke, she reminded herself as he turned back around, but the statement was entirely unsuccessful at calming her down.Had Luke’s hair always looked so shiny?
“I won’t put in too much,” he said over his shoulder. “I do not want it to be too hot for you.”
Too hot?Yes, that was it. The small room was much too hot with the large stove in use. It was the heat making her blush, not her strange new feelings. Feelings she wasn’t able to identify until long after the delicious meal had ended, and Luke walked her back to the drawing room. They stood outside the double door entrance, facing each other, as they usually did to say goodbye. But something was different.
“Did you enjoy the food?” Luke whispered down at her, and, involuntarily, her body felt the need to step in closely and outstretch her hand. He took her gloved fingers instantly, but then looked at them for several seconds as if he were unsure what to do with them.
What was he supposed to do with them?She did not usually go around sticking her limbs in people’s direction. What had gotten into her? She nearly apologized for her bizarre behavior, when Luke bowed and gently brought her hand to his lips, giving it a light, formal kiss. Clara grinned as her other arm decided to extend itself toward him, too. She looked absolutely ridiculous, standing in the doorway with both of her arms straight ahead.
“Is that a yes?” Luke chuckled, lifting her second hand and kissing it as well. But all Clara could do was nod as her stomach flipped and her heart fluttered. “Well,” he guided her hands back down to her sides, “enjoy your embroidery.”
Even after sitting on the sofa for over an hour, Clara had not completed a single stitch. What was happening? What had come over her? Why had his kiss affected her so?It is just Luke!She tried to persuade herself, but simply thinking his name made her heartbeat quicken.
He was her best friend. The person she enjoyed being with more than anyone in the world. She felt totally safe in his presence. It did not matter if they were at their best or their worst, she and Luke knew how to care for one another, and they enjoyed doing it. She loved his laugh, his smile, the way his forehead scrunched when he was worried …
I am in love with Luke Maxwell, she realized with a jolt.
She had been around many lovesick girls in her time, so how had she not noticed how far gone she was? All of the signs were there. They had been there all along. How had she not seen them?
The way she sought him out. The way their eyes met across the room. Her longing for him when he was away. The comfort she had felt being wrapped in his arms. Do not forget the dancing, her brain reminded her,or that beautiful first kiss.Her cheeks pinked just thinking about it.
I am in love,she thought yet again as a smile spread across her face.I am in love with Luke!Her head swirled with the excitement of it all.We could get married.This time, the thought of becoming Lady Maxwell did not make her feel heavy. The pit in her stomach was nowhere to be found. In fact, the idea of spending her life with Luke by her side made Clara feel light and peaceful, as if she were floating somewhere high in the heavens.
And Clara Merritt never wanted to come back down.
Chapter 31
Undeniably Admirable
Clara’s maid was styling her hair when Mother stepped through their connecting door. “What do you have planned today?” the countess asked, adjusting her black shawl in Clara’s vanity mirror. But as Clara began to share her plans, Mother stopped her. “Is that a new locket?” she asked, squinting at the golden chain.
While technically not new, this was only the second time Clara had ever worn the oval necklace with three sapphires on the front, and the inscriptionMy Queenon the back. It was still empty, though she planned on putting a portrait of Papa on one side. “Luke gave it to me,” Clara whispered, “for Christmas.” Understanding passed through the gaze of her mother.
“And,” Mother pursed her lips, “is there any particular reason you are wearing it?” Though she had attempted to keep herself from smiling, her eyes could not contain their joy.
Clara nearly giggled as she answered, “The baby had curly hair.” A sentence that would only make sense to her mother.
Lady Merritt squealed, a full on childish squeak. “Clara!” she shouted in excitement as she pulled her daughter into a hug. “Oh, Clara! This is happy news!” She pulled back to look at her. “So you love him?” she asked. Her playful eyes looked as if they already knew the answer.
“I do,” Clara admitted, a smile instantly filling her face. It was the first time she had said it out loud.
“Oh, Papa would have been so happy! Will you wed here or in Harleston? Does John know? Well, of course he does because Luke had to ask permission.” The countess rambled.
“Well actually-” Clara tried to explain, but Mother was too excited to listen.
“You cannot marry while we are in full mourning,” she commented with dissatisfaction. “What day is it?”
“Mama, Luke hasn’t-”
This time it was Clara’s maid that interrupted. “It is October twenty-first, my lady.”
Mother quickly did some calculations in her head. “We shall enter half-mourning on the first,” she informed the maid so she could tell the rest of the household. “Perfectly acceptable to have a wedding in half-mourning.” Mother talked to herself, forgetting there were other people in the room. “We will serve pheasant at the luncheon. Luke likes pheasant. Oh, and I must write Avianna!”
Clara stood from her vanity chair. “Mama,” she gently took the countess’s arm.
“Yes, dear?” she shook her head as she finally stopped to listen.
