CHAPTER 3

There were a couple of names that Clara recognized as she flicked through the latest scandal sheet while her mother busied herself with embroidery over lukewarm tea, but no one that caught her eye enough to have her devouring the articles with any kind of interest. It was more simply an activity to pass the time.

She was bored, nothing in the paper was entertaining her at all, but it was more than that. She so desperately wanted to find a way to speak with her mother about Lord Caldwell, and how she felt about her wishes for them to be married… but she could not seem to find the words. Not without it turning into an argument again. That was the last thing she wanted. This was something she needed to address calmly if she were ever to be listened to and understood.

“Mother, I…”

Just as she was about to say something, anything to get the conversation started, the footman entered the room with news playing on the corners of his mouth.

“Lord Elliot Belmont is here to visit.”

“Oh wonderful.” Clara smiled, matching her mother’s enthusiasm. Elliot was her favorite cousin, and just the person she needed to lift her spirits. “Pray, admit him. I shall ensure that we have a pot of tea prepared.”

Clara slid the scandal sheet away from her as she listened to her mother and cousin talk in the hallway. Already, she felt brighter and happier, excited to have someone to talk to. She had always adored Elliot. Despite him being older than her, he always made time for her, and was happy to play with her when she was younger. Some of her happiest memories from childhood were playing in the gardens with Elliot.

Since childhood, his easy going temperament made him a trusted confidante. Much as it had been wonderful to talk with Imogen about everything that was going on in her life, she relished the idea of hearing what Elliot had to say. He was always so wise and kind.

“Well hello there, Clara,” Elliot declared with a smile as he entered the room to greet her. “Your mother was just suggesting tea, but I wondered if you might like to take a walk in the park?” Clara was already nodding eagerly, before Elliot could even finish his sentence. “I thought as much. I will let everyone know.”

Since she could not find a way to speak with her mother about Simon, the idea of getting some air and having a break from the oppression she felt around her was exactly what she needed.

She put on her coat and shoes quickly, her heart racing with the need to get everything off her chest. There was a chance that Elliot would be able to help her in a way that Imogen could not. Being her cousin, there might be a way for him to get through to her mother… if he agreed with her that Lord Caldwell was not a good match.

The sun was shining warmly as they stepped outside into the gardens. They kept their conversation superficial as they walked through the estate, just in case anyone could hear them. But as soon as they set foot out of grounds, Elliot turned to face her.

“My dearest Clara, shall you enlighten me as to what transpires? Because you have that dark expression on your face, which only I seem to recognise. The one that means you have something on your mind which you can not express in the way that you want to.”

Clara chuckled. She had not always been grateful that Elliot could always see right through her, but now she was. “Yes, I have been having a hard time recently. I am finding my parent’s zealous promotion of Simon as a suitor very overwhelming. It is frustrating that they will not see how much of a bore he is.”

Elliot let out a laugh. “Yes, Lord Caldwell is terribly dull. I have always thought so.”

“I have been forced to have such tepid conversations with him at dances,” Clara shot back, glad that she would be able to express herself freely. “And there have been times where he calls on me, only to talk about land holdings and investments. As if I might be interested in such things! Honestly, it is endlessly frustrating that he makes no attempt at meaningful discourse, and that Mother does not seem to see that. She is blinded by him. Or blinded by his title and social standing.”

Elliot paused thoughtfully before continuing. “Well, you are not betrothed to him yet, are you? So nothing is set in stone. Perhaps you should open your mind to others. Possibilities beyond status approved matches by loveless arrangement.”

Clara paused. “I had not thought of that. I have simply been worrying about changing my parents’ minds about Lord Caldwell. But if I find someone better, they might…”

But her words trailed off as she realized it was unlikely. With Simon already showing her interest, it was unlikely that any suitors with a title that would please her parents would not even bother looking her way. Her parents would not agree to a marriage with a man who could not keep Clara in the eye of the ton, even if that was not where she really wanted to be. It was a terrible dilemma to find herself in.

“You know, I have recently been having a similar conversation with my dear friend, Christopher,” Elliot continued, as if he did not sense Clara’s inner turmoil. “He has recently returned to London after travels abroad, immersing himself in developing his artistic talents. Upon his return, his matchmaking mother is also trying to marry him off to someone that he has no interest in.”

Something in Clara stirred at the mention of this mysterious gentleman cultivating his creative passions. She would love nothing more than to forgo the stresses of London and to travel abroad to paint. That all sounded so exotic and exciting. The sort of life that she could only dream of. She had read about Europe and the countries of the rest of the world, and had tried to paint them. But without actually seeing them, it was an impossible task. She could not even begin to imagine what it would really be like to visit these places.

She wanted to ask so much more about this mysterious Chrisopher, but she did not get the chance to do so. Elliot had already started talking about some other gentleman that he thought Clara might be interested in. Truth be told, she could not even listen to her cousin anymore. Her mind was completely consumed with thoughts of this brooding, mysterious artistic gentleman. Now that was someone that she would have something to talk about with.

What a shame she had no idea who he really was other than being Elliot’s exotic sounding friend. But maybe a time would arise when their paths would cross and she would get to see this man who intrigued her, without her even knowing what he looked like.

***

Clara took advantage of the lasting spring time sunshine as it slowly started to disappear by adding some delicate shading to a new art piece that she had started in the early hours of the morning. A piece which had come to her, seemingly in a dream throughout the night, one that she was thoroughly enjoying bringing to life bit by bit.

Clara was not quite sure where she was going with this painting. The landscape seemed upbeat and happy, but the mysterious figure in the middle had a shadow hanging over her head. There were worries that the mere observer would never be able to comprehend.

Clara could feel the inspiration surging through her veins. She wanted to capture her mixed emotions right now while they were basking within her…

Unfortunately, she was not going to be given the freedom to do so.

“Ah, Clara, there you are.” Her mother entered the art room, which was something she usually tried to avoid at all costs. She was not alone. Ruth, her lady’s maid, was in tow. “I have been trying to find you. You must dress immediately. You do not have much time left.”

Clara stared at her mother blankly. “Time left for what?”

“It is the society ball tonight, Clara,” her mother tutted back. “Held by Lady Abigail Ashford. I have been talking about it with you all week long. It is going to be quite the event. I have heard that it will be deemed the best of the Season so far.”

Clara’s heart sank. She did not want to waste the evening in an uncomfortable gown, dancing with boring men when she could be finishing her latest creation. But she was wise enough to understand that she could not escape this, however much she might want to.

Her mother’s lips curved up into a smile as she regretfully placed her paint brush down.

“Now, Lord Simon Caldwell will of course be in attendance tonight, so I expect you to secure his admiration. It is your duty to present yourself to Simon Caldwell…”

“But mother…”

“Regardless of your personal sentiments.” Her mother clearly did not hear what she had to say. “I expect this to be the night where you truly secure his interest. Then we can move forward with the betrothal in a timely manner.”

Clara’s fists curled up angrily by her sides. She so desperately hoped that Elliot would also be in attendance at the ball. If there was any time for him to help her out of the terribly awkward situation that she found herself in, it was tonight.

Nodding in agreement, because there truly was no point in arguing this further, Clara followed Ruth in to her bedchambers where everything was all set out ready for the night. A long ivory gown with delicate lace along the bodice with a dipped neckline and billowing sleeves. Her mother truly had gone all out to make her look like the belle of the ball. Clara was going to draw attention to herself tonight, whether she liked it or not.

Ruth helped an unwilling Clara into the gown, ensuring it fit perfectly and folded around her curves, while maintaining her modesty. Then she turned her attention to Clara’s hair, creating intricate braids intertwined with glistening pearls, almost looking like a delicate crown. Her nimble fingers weaved the strands like magic, leaving loose curls to frame Clara’s face.

It was truly lovely, but all too much for Clara. All she could think about was the painting that she had been forced to leave unfinished.

“There, Miss Clara,” Ruth declared proudly as she took a step back to admire her handiwork. “You look beautiful. Lord Caldwell will have his eyes on you from the moment you set foot in to the hall.”

Clara forced herself to smile back because none of this was Ruth’s fault, but that was exactly what she was dreading. To have Simon’s attention. To have to force pleasantries with everyone, but most of all him, knowing that everyone – her mother most of all – would be waiting for something magical to happen.

If only there was a chance of a miracle, changing everything tonight. Only that would make Clara eager to attend.

But eager or not, her parents were already waiting for her at the bottom of the grand stair case, with the carriage outside, preparing to take her to Lady Abigail Ashford’s fancy ball. So she had to find the inner strength that she so desperately needed to head towards her parents and to try not to be overwhelmed by their expectant faces.

Lord Reginald and Lady Estelle Belmont were extremely concerned with their social standing. The Earl and Countess of Ridgemont were not likely to take any rebellion from their daughter well. Especially when it came to marrying the right man.