Amy Lake Read Online Free Page B

sake–she slapped him and ran.
    What had come over her?
    “Did you say no?” asked Jody.
    Claire looked at her brother, confused.
    “Say no?”
    “Well, you slapped him, but did you tell him no?  That you wouldn’t marry him?”
    She shook her head. “I didn’t say anything, I don’t think. I just ran.”
    “What does he look like?  Do you think he’s handsome?”
    Claire was having difficulty following her brother’s train of thought. “What does that matter?” she asked. “With any luck, I’ll never see him again.”
    Jody was watching her intently. “Is he handsome?” he asked again. “How old is he?”
    Claire sighed deeply and flopped back on the bed. “I suppose he’s a few years older than I am. And, yes,” she finished, “he is the handsomest man I’ve ever seen.”
    * * * *
    Lady Pamela looked out her bedroom window at the quiet, dark street below, her gaze following Edward as he walked away. She felt a small tug at her heart, more from nostalgia than anything else. There had been some good times between Edward Tremayne and Pamela Sinclair.
       She had cared for the Earl of Ketrick as much as she’d cared for any man, but it wasn’t the kind of love Edward thirsted for, and she’d always known it. For some men deep passion was not a requirement in a relationship. For Edward Tremayne–whether he was aware of it or not–it was. A banked fire smoldered inside the earl, and when the flames finally burst forth they would consume him.          
    How she would rejoice to see that blaze. Lady Pamela couldn’t really have said why Claire de Lancie had caught Edward’s attention, or why she was so convinced that the girl held the key to her friend’s happiness. Call it woman’s intuition, she thought, laughing at herself. Pam didn’t have much use for romantic nonsense. But perhaps intuition was unnecessary, because in the past twenty-four hours–since those few minutes in the draper’s shop–she had seen a look in the earl’s blue eyes that had never been there before.
     The situation clearly required her assistance. Eventually Edward would need to offer again for Miss de Lancie, and Miss de Lancie would need to say yes. Pam gave a contented sigh and pulled the silk duvet over her shoulders, snuggling down into her bed for warmth. She had a number of tasks to undertake on the morrow, and it was time to get some sleep.
    * * * *
    Claire was at her desk in the sitting room, perusing the small stack of bills needing to be paid. The bills were manageable so far, but she knew that time was running out. In another month, perhaps two, if she was very careful–
    Mr. McLeevy scratched at the door, then entered. “The Baronet Aubley to see you, miss,” he said.
    Oh, bother, thought Claire, suppressing a laugh when she caught sight of Mr. McLeevy’s expression. Apparently Sir Clarence was not a favorite of her butler- cum -handyman.
    “I’ve taken the liberty of sending for Mr. Jody, miss,” he added. “Perhaps I could delay your visitor for a few minute until he arrives.”  Claire nodded. If her brother could behave himself, his presence would be welcome.
    Mr. McLeevy departed, but the door burst open again almost immediately as her brother flew into the room.
    “Oh, thank goodness he hasn’t arrived yet. Claire, you can’t be thinking of encouraging this coxcomb!  How could you stand to talk to him day after day?  How could you stand to even look at him?  Do you remember the waistcoat he wore to Lady Spence’s musicale ?  I thought it would blind me, even from out in the street.”
    “Shh!” said Claire, trying not to laugh. She remembered that waistcoat. “Sir Clarence will be here any second.”
    “Oh, Claire, please . The Earl of Ketrick offered for you!  Don’t decide anything until you see him again.”
    “Jody, I don’t think–”
    They were interrupted by Mr. McLeevy at the door. “Sir Clarence Aubley to see you, miss,” he announced.
    The baronet