Page 16 of Distracting the Duke

And to bribe Clara not to say anything about that kiss…

Ellie’s eyes widened. “Do you really think so? But why me? He’s so much older and cleverer than I.”

“The pleasure of your company is reward enough,” Clara assured her, relieved to have turned their scrutiny away from herself.

When everyone dispersed about their own business, she remained in her seat, staring at the letter that Philip had passed to her, trying to find any significance in the words. Recalling all too vividly the duke’s last advice to her…about taking a lover.

Who was he really trying to please?

Ellie, who had never shown the least interest in the statuette?

Or herself?

Chapter Ten

When the day of the auction arrived, Clara declined Philip’s offer of accompanying him, preferring to spend her time in the walled garden picking peas. Whilst town held many pleasures, it also held the risk of bumping into the Duke of Ulvercombe, who would doubtless be there to preside over the sale of his precious pieces.

Her feelings concerning that gentleman were so entangled she couldn’t possibly see him just now. A future meeting was inevitable if he was interested in Ellie, but Clara had no wish to hasten the moment until she was less confused.

Much less confused.

Or…did she?

Maybe she should just see him again and get it over with. He could apologize for kissing her, she would express her regret at having let him. Then they could both move on with their lives, certain the event would never be repeated.

Another possible scenario was that the kiss would be repeated. And that they would both enjoy it so much things might be taken to a point beyond which there was no turning back. That situation—whether welcomed by her or not—would not meet with anyone’s approval. How would Ellie feel if she learned how badly her guardian had behaved with her suitor? Such a course of events hit Clara far too close to home for comfort.

She grabbed at another handful of pea pods and yanked them from their stems, disturbing a shield bug that whirred off into the distance. For goodness’ sake, what was she thinking? Just because she’d kissed the duke didn’t mean she desired him! She wasn’t even sure she liked him. He might have exhibited a few good qualities, but he still had plenty of bad ones. They were doubtless so deeply ingrained he would never be cured of them.

She felt heat rise to her cheeks again, as it did every time she thought about the dratted man. It was infuriating to be so susceptible to his charms, especially as she’d decided to renounce all thought of another marriage or liaisons. Now Simon was dead, she wanted to keep her freedom. And preferably to gain a bit more, by leaving Philip’s household and setting up her own.

A handful of peas slid out of the basket onto the dirt, but she didn’t bother to retrieve them. Lord knew, she was no judge of the male gender. She’d never seen the real man behind Simon’s urbane facade before they married, never imagined how cruel a man could be to the woman he was supposed to nurture and love.

No, she must stay away from men and make sure they stayed away from her.

The duke included.

She was startled from these disturbing thoughts by a soft touch upon her elbow, and looked around to find her sister-in-law observing her keenly.

“What a splendid crop of peas. Why, you’ve almost filled the basket. Now then, tell me what Philip said about Kate and the child. I’ve been asking, but he won’t tell me. You know how grumpy he gets when talking about the family’s skeleton in the closet. And I couldn’t help noticing you’ve been very distracted of late. Has Kate done something further to upset you?”

The old familiar pain clutched at Clara’s stomach at the mention of her estranged sister. At least she had the comfort of knowing that no one outside the immediate family, not even Ellie, knew the full facts. Kate was now living in the remote village of Compton with the child she’d borne to Simon Tinniswood. After he was married to Clara.

Kate had agreed to live there quietly, well below the notice of any members of the ton. Philip had dealt with it all, even while Simon was still alive, but the support they gave her was a strain on the family finances.

Clara sighed, plucked off another pod, and put it in her basket. Sarah moved alongside her to help with the harvesting.

“According to Philip, Kate is thin and pale,” Clara said. “Our nephew flourishes, however, and Philip was full of his praises. Little Georgie can both walk and talk and is very fond of birds and bushes, constantly running after the former and tumbling into the latter.”

“He sounds a sweet child,” murmured Sarah. “It’s a pity not to see him at this delightful age.”

The hollow place in Clara’s womb turned into an echoing chasm. She plucked at a stem full of peas…and broke the entire plant.

Sarah looked up and said, “I can hear a horse. I wonder if it’s Philip back from the auction.”

Clara’s spirits lifted instantly. The Pajou Venus was back in the Weston family’s hands! Leaving her basket on the ground, she hastened alongside Sarah toward the gate.

They waited as Philip dismounted and divested himself of a large ham he’d picked up in town. His pockets looked depressingly flat, and Clara’s heart sank. Surely, Ulvercombe’s plan had not gone amiss?