CHAPTER 8

The reluctance was rolling off of Christopher in endless waves as the carriage took his mother and him to his brother’s inherited estate to hear Graham’s ‘good news’. Whatever it was going to be, Christopher was sure that he did not wish to hear it, which was exactly why he never should have agreed to come.

But his mother had this very irritating way of making him do whatever she wanted him to, without him even realizing that he had agreed to it.

That was why Elliot’s proposition had been so alluring to him. He did not want to follow his mother’s wishes all the time. He did not want to have his life controlled by someone else. Especially when it came to marriage. Something that he was not even sure he wanted, especially not with Henrietta, because it was going to impact his whole life.

As the carriage rumbled through the streets of London, Christopher found his mind wandering to Clara a lot. Had she been told the news yet? Had Elliot been given the opportunity to talk with his cousin, to see what she thought of the plan?

What did she think of the ruse? Was she as intrigued as him? As desperate to release herself from the clutches of her parent’s wishes? Who knew. But every moment that passed without him having all the answers only made the anticipation unbearable. It was going to be challenging enough to thwart his mother’s matchmaking efforts, which grew more unbearable by the day, so every moment that passed was very hard.

“I think our dinner with the Devereuxs went very well the other day,” his mother uttered, almost to herself but he knew that she expected a response. “I believe that Miss Henrietta is very enthralled by you, which is wonderful. Since she is such an eligible young lady, you do not wish another gentleman to start showing his affections.”

Christopher could not manage much more than a thin lipped smile. He knew that he truly would not worry if another gentleman flashed his eyes at Henrietta. There would not be a scrap of jealousy within him.

Now if someone showed Lady Clara affections, he might be a little stirred.

Only because he was looking forward to talking about art with her, of course. And because he needed her for this plan. There was nothing else there…

“What do you think we should do next, Christopher?” his mother asked, demanding his attention. “It might be time for you to take Miss Henrietta out on a proper date soon, do you not think? Show the world that you are courting her. Let the ton know where your intentions lie. Maybe a public walk around Hyde Park would be perfect.”

“Yes, perhaps. We shall see.”

His mother let out an unimpressed laugh. “You do not have time to say ‘we will see’. You must act fast. You know how London society can be…”

Christopher wished this conversation could be over and done with. He did not wish to continually have this chat because it did not get him anywhere. But his mother was relentless. When she wanted something, she would do whatever it took to get it. Especially when it affected her position in high society.

Christopher let his mother talk, just making noises and comments when he felt it was essential to do so. Despite his lack of enthusiasm to go to Graham’s home, it was actually a bit of a relief when the carriage came to a halt.

Hopefully his mother would now focus all her attention on her golden son, leaving Christopher alone. She was certainly very eager to climb out of the carriage, to go to her favorite son’s house.

“Oh my, Graham, look at you.”

Graham was waiting outside the entrance of the home to greet his family, which caused Christopher to roll his eyes. Why did his brother always have to make such a scene?

But his love for being the center of attention was going to benefit Christopher today, because it drew the spot light away from him.

“Mother, you look lovely,” Graham declared as he extended his arms wide to embrace Leonora. “It is so wonderful to have you here. Julianna and Victoria are inside waiting for you. We have prepared quite the lunch.”

Graham’s eyes found Christopher. Lingering tensions simmered between them. They might have acted polite and greeted one another in the way that was expected of them in front of their mother, but there was no denying the dislike there which ran both ways.

Christopher wished that he could climb back into the carriage, to leave before things grew even more unpleasant. But his mother would not like it, so he did not.

They headed inside the grand home, straight to the dining room where Julianna and Victoria were in fact waiting to greet everyone. Again. Christopher managed to bear an air of politeness as he spoke with his family, but it was hard for him to ignore the discomfort swimming around inside of him.

But soon, just as it was time to start their meal, the reason for their visit was revealed.

“So, Mother, like I said to you before, Julianna and I have some wonderful news to share with you today.” Graham beamed from ear to ear. Christopher sucked in and held an expectant breath. He had no idea what was next, but he was already on edge. “We are actually expecting another baby. We have our second child on the way.”

Christopher tried to be pleased for his brother, he really did. He wanted to be happy that his family was expanding, but a strange iciness overcame him. He did not like this. It reminded him that he had not taken the path that was expected of him, and this was just another way he did not measure up to Graham, and never would.

Of course, their mother’s eyes lit up. She clapped her hands together excitedly. “Oh my goodness, this is such wonderful news. I am so happy for the pair of you. This is so very thrilling. This time, we might have a little successor, am I right? With a bit of luck, you will have a baby boy, who all of this can be passed on to.”

Christopher found himself looking at Victoria, wondering how she felt in this moment. She probably did not understand, but he felt it harshly. All his old feelings of inadequacy, being the second son and never able to inherit anything, came flooding to the surface. Just like Victoria.

Christopher’s eyes closed for a moment, allowing his mind to fill with images of his father. Memories that he did not want to resurface. Did his father ever look at him with an expression other than disapproval? There certainly did not seem to be any love there.

“Congratulations,” he said uneasily as he felt Graham’s eyes on him. “I am very happy for you both. This is wonderful news for your family.”

Graham barely even acknowledged Christopher, but Julianna smiled and thanked him. She certainly looked like she was glowing with the pregnancy and enjoying every moment of it. As long as she was happy, and hopefully loved her children equally, surely everything would be fine…

***

Weariness overcame Christopher as he stepped inside his home once more. That was a very challenging visit with Graham, worse than usual, and he needed a moment to himself.

But he was not about to get that. Not right away anyway. The butler handed him a letter which Christopher knew he needed to read right away. His eyes scanned over the words rapidly, taking in what his friend had asked of him.

Elliot had requested an urgent meeting with Christopher at his bachelor’s quarters. Of course he was immediately aware that this might be the meeting he was looking forward to. The meeting where he would finally get his answer regarding Lady Belmont.

He left immediately, without even thinking to tell anyone where he was going. This was about to change his future in one way or another, and he needed answers now.

His pulse leapt as he climbed back into the carriage. He could not help but hope that this was going to be exactly what he needed. A way out.

Not that it was just a way out for him. He could not deny that the idea of seeing Clara again truly thrilled him to the very core. Talking to her about art and getting to see her beautiful smile again… it would be perfect. Much more fun than spending time with Miss Henrietta.

Upon arrival, Christopher was grateful to find Elliot already waiting for him. Thank goodness, he did not think he would be able to be patient. He needed to know now.

Once they were inside his bachelor quarters, Christopher turned to Elliot with expectation shining in his eyes. “You wanted to meet with me?”

He had not even had a moment to pour them both a drink, which would have been the polite thing to do. But he was too consumed with needing to know what was about to happen. This was the rest of his life, after all.

“Yes, I did.” Elliot grinned. “I have come bearing good news. I have just been speaking with Clara, and she has consented to commencing the courtship ruse, provided you remain committed to the scheme. She had her reputation to think about, as do you.”

Christopher was moved by Clara’s boldness. He liked the way she asked for what she wanted, without leaving him to read between the lines.

“I am eager for this to proceed as well, Elliot. I would like to be sheltered from familial marital pressures, as does she. I hope Lady Belmont understands that I need this just as much as she does.”

“Yes, I have told her as much.” Elliot looked pleased that Christopher was committed to this, just as much as his cousin. “And I have been thinking this through. I have a plan for your first public meeting. I can accompany Clara, and her trusted friend, Lady Chambers, on an outing to the new art exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts. There, a ‘chance’ encounter can transpire, in full view of members of the ton.”

“I see…” Christopher was trying to take all of this on board, but it was a little challenging, his mind was spinning.

“It will initiate the fa?ade with credibility, because it will show that you move in similar circles. Showing your similar interests. I think it is the best way for your courtship to progress as you want it to, and to be believable, so no one suspects you.”

Christopher nodded, trying to disguise the fact that his heart was racing. The fact that he would soon see Clara again, and that they could finally speak about their unconventional arrangement, tinged Christopher with anticipation and nervousness.

“That sounds like a good plan to me,” he agreed. “I can see you have thought this through, and have come up with a solid plan.”

Things were moving quickly. Far too fast, but he knew they needed to make their move now to redirect their families. He was still a little uneasy at the idea of trying to deceive his mother, who was always very sharp, but he had to do this.

He needed to change his mother’s marriage plans for him.

At the same time, he also could not ignore his fascination with Clara nor deny their immediate affinity. He had felt something in her arms as they danced, and he was quite sure that she did too. He could not deny that he was looking forward to seeing what that was.

The meeting at the art gallery was going to be very exciting. He had to look at the positive side of this, because it was going to indelibly impact their futures, for better or worse.