Only five years older than Natalia, Clarice didn’t fit the picture of the wicked stepmother so often portrayed in fairy tales. Clarice had never tried to take Anastasia Sinclair’s place in Natalia’s heart. Instead, she opted to fill the role of nosy big sister. They were the best of friends, and Natalia knew she must tread very carefully, lest Clarice guess the truth.
“Was I?” If she’d been glowing when she’d spoken to Sherbourne, it was because of the fire Captain Blake sparked within her, not anything Sherbourne had said or done.
“I don’t blame you,” Clarice continued. “He was my first choice, back when I had my Season. I would have married him in an instant, if he’d asked.”
Natalia paused in the process of pouring the tea, surprised by her stepmother’s candor. While Clarice thought nothing of giving Natalia advice and prying into her private affairs, she rarely spoke about herself.
Laughing, Clarice took the teapot and finished serving. “Don’t look so shocked. Did you think it was my choice to marry a man thirty years my senior, who was interested in nothing except getting a male heir?”
“Has it been so terrible? Being married to my father?”
Clarice sighed and shook her head. “He doesn’t mistreat me, if that’s what you mean. I’ve learned to handle him quite nicely. But our marriage is hardly the romance I’d imagined for myself.”
Natalia reached across the table and patted Clarice’s hand. “I’m so sorry.”
Clarice shrugged, obviously embarrassed. “Don’t mind me, darling. I’m just a little melancholy today.” She squeezed Natalia’s hand as though it gave her strength and then released it. “My monthlies have started, and I dread telling the duke I’ve failed to conceive once again.”
“Oh, Clarice.” Natalia didn’t know what else to say. She knew how much the duchess wanted a child of her own. The duke was a hard man, very verbal about the fact that Clarice’s only worth lay in her ability to provide a male heir.
Clarice took a long, bracing sip of her tea, then pasted on a bright smile. “I’d much rather talk about that stunning young viscount. Do tell me you’re considering him.”
“I have no say in the matter,” Natalia reminded her. “You know Father will never allow me to choose a mere viscount over Prince Nikolai.”
“But Sherbourne will be an earl someday. I’m certain we can convince your father to consider him.” Clarice clapped her hands together, her excitement obviously growing as she thought her scheme through. “All you have to do is bring him to heel. He needs to propose soon, before the end of the Season. Then there will be no need for our trip to Russia.”
Natalia looked away, shamed by her stepmother’s enthusiasm. “I like Sherbourne well enough,” she admitted. “He’d make a much better husband than Prince Nikolai.”
“But…?” Clarice stared at Natalia, a knowing look her eyes. “There’s someone else?”
Natalia decided it might help to talk about this with somebody. “Oh, Clarice! He’s so dreadfully wrong for me. I know I can never have him, but he’s all I can think about. All I dream about.”
“Do you love this young man?” Clarice’s voice dropped to a mere whisper. “Have you let him compromise you?”
“No. Of course not,” Natalia said quickly. Too quickly.
Clarice leaned forward, her forehead puckered with concern. “Which part are you denying?”
“I hardly even know him, so I can’t be in love.” Natalia closed her eyes against the thought, but that didn’t help. Dylan Blake’s darkly handsome image was seared beneath her lids.
She couldn’t wait to see him again, but this was only Sunday. Tuesday seemed an eternity away. Would he take her up on her impulsive offer to meet her in the park?
With a shiver, she tried to pull her mind back to the matter at hand. “As for the other part… I haven’t so much as let him touch my hand. Yet.”
“Yet?” Clarice shook her head in dismay. “You can’t honestly be thinking about allowing this man to take liberties?”
Natalia gave an uneasy laugh. “I just told you that I can’t think of anything else.”
Clarice moved to sit beside her on the small sofa, her gaze searching and intense. “Natalia, no good can come of this. You have to forget these wild ideas.”
Natalia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “You’re right. I know you are.”
“Then promise me you’ll consider Sherbourne. You could be so very happy with him, darling. And I’ll speak to your father, if you want me to. Smooth the way. I know he doesn’t really like the idea of marrying you off to that Russian. We’ll probably never see you again if Prince Nikolai manages to win your hand.”
Natalia hugged Clarice, overwhelmed by her stepmother’s generosity. “You don’t have to do that, but thank you for offering.”
Clarice wouldn’t be dissuaded. “I know this other young man seems very appealing, but wouldn’t you rather know for certain that you’re going to marry someone like Sherbourne? Someone handsome, kind, and virile? You’ve told me how much Prince Nikolai frightens you.”
Clarice seemed quite taken with the idea of having Michael Blake as a son-in-law.
