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Chapter Thirty-Eight
Clara was halfway through a Liszt étude when the footman burst into the room, panting and holding his middle.
She stopped playing; James turned around to face the doorway.
“Lord Anterleigh’s carriage is about to arrive.”
Her mouth dropped open. James sat up straighter.
Recovering, Clara nodded curtly. “Thank you, John. I shall receive him at once.”
With a bow, the footman left.
James stood calmly, extending his hand to her.
She took his hand. “I need to do this alone.”
His brows gathered as he inhaled slowly. “Clara…”
“Truly, James. I’ll chase David outside for a constitutional as soon as I can. When I return, hopefully it will be with David, ready to give his blessing. Or perhaps we’ll need to leave immediately.”
He raised her hand to his lips. “Either way, I’ll be here.”
For all her bravado, Clara’s heart raced as she left the music room. She paused before a mirror in the great hall; with shaking hands, she straightened her hair. Once she heard the horses and carriage on the cobblestones, she headed into the entrance hall.
She hadn’t realized how much she missed David until he unfolded from the carriage, looking haggard and relieved to see her.
“Clara, dear sister!”
He embraced her, and she held onto him for a long time.
“I couldn’t believe you’d still be here, but you did say you’d send word when you left.”
She nodded, still not trusting her voice.
David looked from her to a point behind her; she turned, her heart in her throat.
He slipped past her and proceeded to his statue. Patting the canine’s head, he remarked, “I really ought to have a dog or two. Or three.”
Relieved, she leaned against the massive doorway. “I wholeheartedly approve of that idea.”
“I didn’t expect you to be here after a month, but I’m decidedly glad you are. Ghastly business at the mine, Clara. Time with you here at Angerleigh will be just the thing.”
“You’ll have to tell me about the mine. Have you been back to London?”
He shook his head. “I traveled directly from Wales. You’ll stay, won’t you?”
She hesitated.
He returned to her, examining her face closely. “You wrote that you felt better once you arrived here.”
Hearing the question in his statement, she nodded. “I did—at first. I’ll tell you more soon. I’m recovering more every day. In fact, I was leaving in a day or two.” Seeing his upset, she rubbed his arm. “But we shall see. I’m glad you’re here. I know you’ve just arrived, but after all that time in your carriage, might we walk the grounds together?”
David rolled his shoulders. “Meet you in ten minutes’ time? Oh, good afternoon, Mrs. Watts.”
“Master Dav—Lord Anterleigh! Welcome back, my lord!”
Clara smiled as they greeted each other. It always looked as if Mrs. Watts could scarcely hold back from reaching up and pinching David’s cheeks. Clara was grateful that others, too, could see past the daunting man David could be.
