Page 41 of Distracting the Duke

There. He’d made the invitation, certain that asking them outright would give them no time to think of an excuse not to go.

Weston accepted graciously. All the ladies except Clara looked thrilled at the prospect of getting away for the hotter part of the summer. He couldn’t blame her. She must be feeling terribly confused by his behavior. Hell, he was confused by it himself. But this trip to his estates at Wroxham would give him plenty of time to get to know his intended bride better, and the place was large enough for Clara to enjoy herself without continually running into him.

He got to his feet. They all did the same.

“That’s settled, then. I shall take my leave of you now, before it gets too late. I’ll send round instructions on how we will accomplish the journey, and if you could send word of a convenient time when you’d like to come, I’d be much obliged.”

Sarah bustled forward to accompany him to the door, but Clara quickly stepped between them. “I’ll show His Grace out,” she said firmly.

He stared but said nothing as she handed him his riding paraphernalia. He followed her outside, where once again they paused beneath the porch, out of sight and earshot of everyone.

“What possessed you to invite us all to Norfolk?” she asked. “You must understand that I can’t possibly come. Not after—”

“After you kissed me?” He grinned at her.

“After you kissed me.”

“Perhaps. But I don’t want to cross swords with you now. Not when I’m in such high spirits.”

Her dark eyes narrowed. “No doubt you’re congratulating yourself that you made your invitation in such a way that no one could possibly think of a reason to refuse you. Very Machiavellian, sir.”

“One does what one must. But you will come, Clara, if only to make sure I don’t subject your ward to the same indignities I’ve heaped upon you. I think Weston will want you there. Don’t forget, he’s very much in my debt at the moment.” Lowering his voice, he added, “You’ll enjoy it immensely, Clara, I know you will. No one can spend any time on the Norfolk coast and not consider it quite wonderful.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “There’s a first time for everything,” she said tartly. “Ah, here’s your horse. One more question. Had you already planned to invite us all to Norfolk before you arrived, or was it just a spur of the moment idea?”

Looking down at her lovely, challenging expression, he couldn’t help himself. He leaned forward and brushed his lips swiftly and lightly across hers. “That, Clara Tinniswood, is for me to know and for you to find out.”

He turned on his heel and strode toward the mounting block. He jumped onto his horse and tipped his hat to her, then, urging the animal to a canter, he headed off toward the lane without looking back.

She must come, she really must. He got such enormous pleasure out of teasing her. She was sure to try to think up some excuse to wriggle out of it, but he would find a way to make sure she couldn’t.

He was taking an enormous risk, one of which his gamble-hating father would never have approved. But then, his father had been wrong about an awful lot of things—how to create a happy family, for a start. If only his parents had married for love, instead of material gain and social position…

Leaning forward, Marcus pushed his hands through Gladiator’s rough mane and patted the horse’s neck. Had he done the right thing? He could almost hear Snetty and Stranraer admonishing him, telling him it was the height of folly to invite into his home two women who had piqued his interest…albeit in very different ways.

Devil take it.

Perhaps it would be better if Clara did come up with a good excuse to remain in Devonshire.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Clara hadn’t reckoned on the combined pleas, urgings, commands, and threats three normally rational people could bring to bear upon her to join the house party in Norfolk—notwithstanding the silent determination of the Duke of Ulvercombe. The thought of him haunted the back of her mind like some wicked, dark-winged incubus.

The only excuse any of her wretched family would listen to was that someone needed to remain home should Kate and the child need assistance.

After she’d considered that option for a while, Clara decided going to Norfolk was the lesser of two evils. She didn’t want to visit Kate, or see Kate and Simon’s bastard child, nor did she want to have to question her continued bitterness toward her sister.

For these reasons, she was—however reluctantly—en route to Wroxham Hall in Norfolk.

Once she’d been prevailed upon to go, she had made some hard decisions regarding the outcome—and some strict rules of conduct—to which she was determined to adhere.

Put simply, Ulvercombe would court Ellie. Ellie would accept him. Clara would not question or interfere in that process. And, most importantly, she would not allow herself to be alone with the duke.

Not for a single moment.

The duke’s goodwill to the Weston family would continue, their social standing and finances would improve, and, in the end, Clara would inform them of her decision to set up her own household. She was certain she could run it very economically on the allowance paid to her by Simon’s family.

What would become of Kate and little Georgie, she didn’t know. But presumably, Philip would continue to support them and, perhaps, if Sarah was unfortunate enough not to conceive, Georgie could be adopted by the Westons.