There was now so much to think about. This was what she wanted, yet her legs wanted to bolt. Her heart was horrified and her head was in the midst of listing all the reasons why marrying the man of her dreams might well turn into a nightmare. Was this the bridal jitters she had often heard talked about or something more? Jitters would pass. Genuine doubt would not. And why, when her head should be filled with the thoughts of wedding preparations, was Seb all she should suddenly think about? Her eyes flicked to her spy and her heart did a funny little lurch in her ribcage.
Why was that?
Yet the sight of him gave her the confidence to say the words which she never believed she would have reason to say to adukein the history of ever. ‘I shall consider your proposal and respond in due course.’ As Seb had rightly said, she should trust her excellent instincts and allow them to guide her. Right now they were all over the place and images of Seb were clouding her judgement. Clarissa had allowed herself to be seduced by espionage and spies. If she were completely honest, more a certain spy than the espionage. One she was not entirely sure she was ready to give up.
Good gracious!
‘What?’ Now Westbridge was gaping like a fish and that unsightly jutting blood vessel was twitching near his eye. It dawned on Clarissa then that she was not the least bit attracted to the man. ‘You will respond in due course! What sort of answer is that?’
‘The best you will get this evening, your Grace.’ And she was going to walk away. To think and ponder, weigh up the pros and the cons and consider her feelings. Unbelievably, she was going to walk away right this second and leave him in the same state of flux he had been perfectly content to leave her in. For two whole years. That knowledge made her giddy with an emotion she couldn’t fathom at all. It wasn’t outrage or relief. It certainly wasn’t fear, nor was it delight. If she was pressed to describe it to anyone, it was a bizarre sense of freedom. One that made her smile at Westbridge in wonder. His insulting, pompous proposal had released her from the constant stress of striving for it.
‘Ladies and gentlemen!’ Penhurst’s loud entrance behind her had her turning towards the door. He was stood with another man. One she knew well and liked less. Another pompous duke. ‘Thetford has graced us with his illustrious presence!’ The vile viscount looked tremendously pleased with himself as the portly and balding Duke stood smugly at his side. Knowing Seb would be as unimpressed with the surprise guest as she was and keen to let him see she had just had the most marvellous epiphany, she shot him an amused glance only to see his face had blanched of all colour and his fists were clenched tightly at his sides.
Something was very wrong.
‘If you will excuse me...’ Although she had already marched several feet away from the still stunned Westbridge before she remembered to apologise, her eyes fixed on the man who needed her.
