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Clara smiled, and wisely or not, she referenced last night. “However I may have cursed you, I wouldn’t wish your head to suffer today. As to your rock—every man in attendance at the ball will ask for its location so that they might emerge looking as you do. A dashing figure you cut, David.”
He raised an amused eyebrow, handsome in his finery, but also looked sheepish at the compliment. His eyes narrowed, though he looked more vulnerable than angry. “Do you still curse me?”
“Oh, David. I, too, apologize for speaking in anger. I admit it was from hurt that I lashed out. I feel as you do, I think—regret for how I spoke, even as I retain my opinion.”
“So you still curse me,” he concluded glumly.
“I stand by my prediction for you. With affection, I recast my curse as awish.Does that feel better?”
“No.” His reply was immediate, and she laughed.
Otherwise, his mood seemed largely recovered, if a bit quiet. That said, his lack of enthusiasm about the ball did not surprise her, especially when they were entombed in the traffic near the duke’s residence.
“We’d best prepare to be in this carriage for half the night,” he predicted.
“We’re on the early side. Perhaps the line won’t be long.”
He made a disbelieving sound and changed the subject. “It’s going to happen. We’ll soon see the repeal of the Navigation Acts. The free trade advocates have won the day.”
“What will this mean for you?”
He shrugged. “Once foreign ships can import goods into English ports, prices will fall. That benefits me as a buyer. Those with a shipping fleet, like Vassilis, will face greater competition. The Siderises’ firm will survive, I haven’t a doubt.”
“Things are changing now, aren’t they? In a world where it’s compete or fail, you’re Britain’s pride. Well-placed, I’m sure.”
“Britain’s pride,” he repeated, shaking his head with a smile. “So much for the so-called taint of trade? Hmm? We shall see at the ball what thetonmakes of free trade and competition. Not much, I suspect.”
“Whatevertheythink, mayweremain a family with peculiar values, where accomplishments like yours are valued. Look at your friendship with Nicholas and Adrian.”Can’t you see the same in James?
David made a non-committal sound, and his quizzical regard conveyed that he thought the conversation strange.
Eventually, they stepped down from the carriage and joined the line at the entrance. The wait wasn’t long this early, and after crossing the threshold, they parted ways to observe all the rituals.
David deposited his hat, and Clara retired to a dressing room where maids tidied the ladies’ hair and gowns before being presented.
“Oh, Lady Clara, how…intriguing that you’re here,” said a vaguely familiar voice in a not-so-vaguely gossipy tone.
Clara held back her sigh and greeted the vicious viscountess, Lady Thorne.
“Is your husband in attendance this evening?” the woman asked, and her companions emitted the predictable snickers.
Clara ignored them and tilted her head so that the maid could re-pin the hair that had fallen during the carriage ride.
“Oh! I’ve forgotten, you’re not married.” More titters. “Would you care to borrow some of my new rouge? It’s from France. Let me help you catch some gentleman’s eye.”
Clara didn’t suppress her smile as she thought of the reply Gussie might suggest.So long as I don't catch yor ole man's eye, tart, because I don't want ter be catchin' wotever disease `e `as!
Or, more likely, Gussie would advise her to punch Lady Thorne in the kidneys.
Instead, still smiling, Clara replied,“You’re most kind, my lady, but no thank you.”
“That’s too bad. And what aninterestinggown you’ve chosen.” Her tone had Clara gearing up for the coming insult. “Why, it’s positively…Scottish.”
Making no effort to hide how laughable the viscountess’s efforts were, Clara turned to her.
Lady Thorne was fanning herself indolently, her eyes gleaming with mean-spirited glee, but as she saw that her arrow had gone astray, she looked almost confused.
“Thank you, Lady Thorne. Your compliment is most generous in light of my sad attempt. In my defense, I was left with few choices. You see, you and I share a modiste.”
