CHAPTER 9

Clara swept left and right, trying to examine herself from every single angle in the mirror. She needed to check every part of this elegant sage day gown, to make sure that it was suitable for today. This very special day where she was going to ‘meet’ Christopher for the very first time in public, so others could see their connection.

It was unnerving. She was definitely very anxious about putting this plan into action, but she also was not sure what else she could do. If she did not pursue this, risking everything, then she would be stuck with Lord Caldwell. She could not stand the idea of being married to Simon.

She smiled at her reflection, loving the way that the sage color accentuated her eyes. More than anything else, she was looking forward to seeing Christopher again. Especially at an art gallery where they would be lucky enough to talk about what they both loved.

Since finally making the decision to pursue Elliot’s idea, Clara had been thinking a lot about their charged encounter at Lady Abigail’s ball. She kept seeing it with new eyes, and imagining it lasting longer. Dancing the night away and talking as much as they wanted to.

She was day dreaming about him, dreaming about him at night as well. He had all but consumed her. Much as their courtship was nothing more than a plan, she could not stop herself from sinking a little too deep in her unexpected feelings.

“Lady Clara,” her lady’s maid, Ruth, declared, capturing her attention. “Lady Imogen Chambers is here. She is waiting for your outing.”

Bubbles of excitement bloomed inside of Clara as she edged closer to the door of her bed chambers. “Perfect, I am ready to see her right away.”

Ruth followed her, because she would be attending the gallery with the women, Imogen’s lady’s maid would also be with them, as would Elliot. He was likely to be utterly thrilled about this. He had seemed incredibly pleased with himself, ever since he set this plan in motion.

Elliot was a wonderful cousin who always liked to help others. Clara knew that she was very lucky to have him in her life. But today, she was more excited about seeing how he interacted with Imogen. Just in case she was imagining the fission of chemistry between them.

Ooh, it would be very exciting if they fell in love. Having the two closest people to her married would be so much fun. If the chance arose to encourage it, she would.

“Oh, Imogen, I love your gown,” Clara gasped as she climbed in to the carriage with her friend. “Pale blue looks absolutely ravishing on you.”

“Well, I think it is best to dress nice for the gallery. As have you.”

Thank goodness Imogen knew what was happening. Clara would not have been able to pull off this ruse if her best friend had no idea. It would be too difficult to do this, without the support of Imogen. Clara needed her.

They could not talk about it though, not with their maids traveling alongside them. Instead, the women had to satisfy themselves with small talk until they arrived at the Royal Academy of Arts. There, they found Elliot already waiting for them, with a jovial happiness radiating off him.

“Hello there, Ladies.” Elliot curtsied before he offered them his hand to climb out the carriage. “Thank you very much for coming to join me today. I have heard that this art exhibition is quite something. I am looking forward to it.”

Clara retorted… yet her frazzled nerves outweighed her ability to perceive her own words. Now that she was in the same vicinity as Christopher, she was so anxious she could hardly feel her feet touching the ground.

Entering the soaring lobby, Clara’s gaze flickered all around the room. She could not stop herself from searching for Christopher. She needed to locate him instantly, so she could brace herself for their very first ‘meeting’. Unfortunately, she could not yet see him.

“The art pieces are quite fascinating,” Imogen said pointedly as she laced her arm through Clara’s. “More interesting than the patrons here.”

Clara knew that this was a warning. She had to take this more seriously, and to focus on the paintings. She had been very intrigued to see the beautiful paintings, but it was hard for her to pick up on any of the colors, never mind the paint strokes and the emotions depicted.

“What do you think of this piece?” Imogen asked pointedly, taking Clara over to one of the paintings. “I think this is a wonderful portrait. Does it give you inspiration for your own work? We must get back to the painting of me soon, I was enjoying it.”

“Yes, we must.” Clara ran her eyes over the painting, but was struggling to really see it.

“Oh, you are painting Lady Chambers?” Elliot piped up, reminding both the women that he was there. “I must see this. I have always been intrigued to see what your attempts at portraiture would look like. I am sure you are doing a wonderful job, especially because you have such a lovely subject to paint.”

Much as Clara wanted to reply to her cousin, she found herself speechless, almost in shock.

There he is.

Christopher had just entered the Royal Academy of Arts, looking incredibly distinguished as he did. She was bowled over by how handsome he was. He was even better looking that she remembered him to be, which was just mind blowing.

He seemed to sense her eyes upon him. Christopher turned to look at her, his eyes lighting up the moment he caught sight of Clara. It seemed like he enjoyed her sage elegant gown as well, which brought a heat to her cheeks.

Her pulse skipped. Her stomach fluttered under his smile. He looked nervous, just as she was, but genuinely pleased with her presence as well. She could not wait until they spoke and finally got this ruse running.

After doing the expected formal introductions, with Clara and Christopher acting like this was the first time that their paths had truly crossed, with Elliot leading the charge, it was time for everything to get started. It was time to finally play their roles properly.

“Lady Chambers, have you seen this piece over here?” Elliot interjected, already snapping into action and fulfilling his part. Ruth stood closer to Clara, none the wiser as to what was happening. “I think you will really like it.”

This gave Clara a moment alone, for Christopher to walk up to her and to start speaking with her. Her heart was racing as she sensed him edging up beside her.

“I have always admired the works of Benjamin West,” Christopher murmured beside her. “But this, the Portrait of Lady Beauchamp, is quite something.”

“Y… yes,” Clara just about managed to stammer back, finally managing to see the portrait a little clearer now. “I love the way he has captured her hair, and the flowers she is holding have so vivid colours.”

“I am sure we will see much more from him.”

Clara could not even begin to meet Ruth’s eyes because she was not sure what her chaperone would think about this ‘chance encounter’.

“I have heard that there are some portraits by another talented painter a little further into the exhibition, if that is something you are interested in.”

Clara’s whole body was pounding. She was not quite sure how to disguise her feelings. With a bit of luck, everyone else was far more interested in the paintings than her.

“I would love to,” she replied shyly, before following Christopher down the vaulted halls where there were plenty of beautiful works on display. But none of them as captivating as him.

It was only when they found themselves alone, standing in front of a painting that no one else was showing any interest in, that Clara found the bravery to ask what was really on her mind. “Mr. Fitzhugh, are you sure about this? About what Elliot has suggested.”

She needed to hear it from his mouth, so she could finally properly accept what he was telling her. She had to know that they were both in this together. Fully.

Christopher turned to face her with sincerity blooming in his eyes. “Yes, I am. Very sure.”

“It is risky, I know that…”

“Yes,” Christopher agreed. “But beneficial for the both of us.”

Clara nodded, a little more confident now that she was not about to be betrayed. She did not want to step into this, just to be exposed. But since it was going to benefit Christopher as much as it would her, she could not see any reason to worry.

A flush burned in her cheeks. His steadfast attention was almost overwhelming. Much as she loved the way that he was looking at her, it was also a little much. She was not sure that she could stomach it without making a fool of herself. She forced her eyes to drag away from him before she sank a little deeper into her feelings and became so weak at the knees that she could not hold herself upright any longer.

“We should review mutual expectations around being seen together more at respectable social occasions to convincingly intimate deepening affection,” she said, because Clara was quite keen to use this time to hash out all the details while they could. Ruth was still around, but keeping a respectable distance now. “Do you think? There are a lot of upcoming events this Season, which we should take advantage of.”

“Yes, of course. But maybe we can not have that long of a conversation here.” Christopher darted his eyes around the room. “We must not be overheard. I will do some research and let you know what I think we should do. And please, do the same. If you think of anything, let me know. If there is anything you would particularly like to do.”

“Thank you very much for taking me into consideration. I will think about it.”

Clara allowed her eyes to drink in the painting in front of her. The vibrant landscape of undulating hills, which was captivating in a truly unique way. The painting made her heart race, and her breaths fall out sharp and ragged.

Or perhaps that was the man standing beside her.

Christopher’s fingers seemed to automatically drift towards Clara’s, like there was a powerful magnet between them. The accidental graze of his fingers against her gloves sent her in to a flurry. The wave of nerves awakened within her, and she did not know what to do with herself.

This is a calculated arrangement, she reminded herself as she became flustered. Nothing more. Even if it feels like something more, it is not.

Just because she was undeniably attracted to him, did not mean a thing. Those were feelings that she needed to keep locked away deep inside. She could not recklessly endanger her prospects out of a youthful girlish fancy stirred by wandered touches or captivating eyes.

Even if Christopher was the most handsome man that she had ever laid eyes on. Even if he stirred up emotions within her that she was not expecting. Even if he was the first man that she had ever wanted to kiss in her entire life.

Clara was quite sure that she could feel Christopher’s inquisitive eyes upon her. He wanted her to look his way, but she could not do it. She could not handle it. She knew she would melt in to a puddle if she did and that was not the right way to start this courtship.

Especially with all eyes of the ton upon them.

Today had to be absolutely perfect.