"Good." Estella squeezed her arm. "You deserve that."
Clarissa smiled. Did she? She wasn't so certain. This ruse with Kit was starting to make her feel ever more disingenuous.
She'd gotten better at staying silent and smiling serenely in public, all while Kit went to great measures to ensure she looked to be a sought-after diamond of the first water.
But none of it was true.
She was enjoying her time with Kit. Perhaps too much. And the whole endeavor was starting to make her queasy. Because…what if it worked? What if some good, solid, kind gentleman took the bait, and sought her hand. Only to later realize he'd been swindled.
The thought dimmed some of her high spirits, and she was so distracted that she nearly collided with a group entering from the street as they were leaving the modiste's.
With a jolt, she realized the group included Lady Arabella. She was with two of her usual circle, both of whom spotted Clarissa with expressions of polite delight at the encounter.
But Arabella herself was half a step behind, and for just a moment, before she registered their presence, her face was entirely unguarded.
She looked tired, Clarissa thought. There were shadows under her eyes that her powder couldn't quite disguise. And while her friends chattered amiably, she seemed lost in thought.
But then she saw them. And the mask dropped into place so smoothly it was really quite admirable. "Miss Hale." Her smile was startlingly genuine as she addressed Estella. "And Miss Evermore, how delightful to see you taking an interest in fashion."
It was the mildest of cuts, and Thea didn't even seem to notice. "It's a fine day for a stroll with friends," she said.
But then Lady Arabella turned to Clarissa and any genuine warmth there disappeared. Clarissa wouldn't say the other woman's look held malice, but it was…
Well, it was odd. That was all. She wasn't quite sure what to make of it. For a moment she wondered if she'd somehow offended the young lady—until she remembered that it was the other way around. This young lady had been the one to spread wicked rumors about her.
If one of them was offended, it really ought to be her.
"Lady Clarissa." Lady Arabella's smile was serene. "I see you've been shopping." Her gaze swept over Clarissa's modest parcel. "How charming. I do hope you've found something that suits you."
For once. It wasn't spoken aloud but Clarissa was nearly certain she'd heard it.
She frowned. Was she being paranoid or was Lady Arabella truly that good at hidden slights she could make you hear one without even saying them aloud?
"Lady Arabella." Clarissa kept her voice pleasant. "You're looking well."
Lady Arabella's smile didn't falter, but there was not so much as a hint of pleasure in the other woman's eyes.
It was a little sad, really. Old Clarissa would have asked what was the matter. But fortunately she caught her tongue just in time.
Then one of Arabella's friends touched her elbow. "Bella. We'll be late."
Lady Arabella inclined her head and swept past, her friends trailing in her wake.
Estella watched them go with a curious look. "She seemed…not herself. Did you notice?"
Thea blinked in confusion. "Hmm?"
But Clarissa nodded. "She did seem tired."
It was a guess, but Estella nodded in agreement. "Perhaps she's fallen ill."
They continued their stroll, and Clarissa let herself forget for a moment all about Lady Arabella with her unpleasant gossip, and even the ongoing ruse with Kit.
For today, at least, she was simply a young lady out with friends. And it was delightful.
It wasn't until they'd stopped by the duchess's home so Thea could return another book, that an odd moment intruded on her joy.
It wasn't much, really. Just a man across the road, near the corner, watching the duchess's home. He wasn't doing anything in particular. Just standing there. Perhaps he was waiting for someone. But the way he was looking at the duchess's townhouse went beyond casual interest.
