Chapter Fifteen

A lex wished he hadn't stormed away. Despite knowing Clarity hadn't intended to hurt him, her words stung. The carelessness of his youth was precisely what he had spent years trying to overcome. It was why he could live easily in the same house with his persnickety Aunt Elizabeth, who wanted everything done in a precise, particular manner.

It was also the reason he could see himself married to Emmeline Brambury, who would provide a steady, calm existence. Even their children would be quiet, serene children, he imagined, not prone to falling in the river or racing their horses too fast. He wouldn't have to worry, and they would be safe.

But none of that reasonable thinking erased the fact that when he'd realized they were alone, far from the house and the other guests, a wicked notion had taken root. He had wanted to kiss Clarity again, exactly as he'd wanted to at the piano the night before.

It was clearly wrong-headed. How could he kiss her when she had Brennon, and he had Emmeline?

While he'd told her the truth about thinking of her as the child she'd been, he also saw her clearly as the stunningly desirable woman she'd become. Without trying, she was alluring beyond all tolerance, causing him to tingle when she was near.

Moreover, he felt mirth bubble up within him at her presence, even when she was wrestling with his fishing rod and sending him into the river.

A life with Clarity would always mean uncertainty and worry, he reminded himself as he reached the stables and returned the pole. She was the opposite to what he wanted in a wife, and he had best remember that the next time those wayward urges danced through his brain and his body.

To that end, he kept his distance during the four o'clock dinner that lasted until six. While remaining with the other men, he was a silent, unexceptional guest lost in thought. He almost begged off joining the ladies in the drawing room at seven, but he could picture his aunt's disapproval and Emmeline's disappointment if he abandoned them.

Thus, instead of feigning business correspondence and retiring to his room after the cigars and port, he returned with the others to the drawing room. Unlike the night before, the room was dimly lit, and the ladies were practically buzzing with excitement.

In the middle of the room, seated on a chair was a gray-haired woman, dressed in the garb of a Romany gypsy with a red kerchief around her head, wearing a colorful blouse and skirt.

A fortune-teller! He groaned at the utter foolishness before taking up a spot near his aunt and Emmeline.

All the Diamond ladies were standing in a half-circle on his other side.

"She has just arrived," Clarity told him, fizzing with excitement. "You haven't missed anything yet."

He nodded, but when he didn't react, she added, "Alex, don't you remember the fair at Castle Donington when the fortune-teller scared us by knowing my name?"

Speaking of names, he flinched when, in her enthusiasm, she'd used his given one again. He felt his aunt bristle, and a glance at Emmeline showed she'd raised a delicate eyebrow.

"Yes," he said quietly, wishing Clarity would focus her attention on someone else. "I recall. But I don't believe she truly knew your name. As children, we mistakenly took it that way."

"She said she would speak with clarity, and she was looking directly at me."

Alex shook his head. At the time, the hair had stood up on the back of his neck, and he had grabbed Clarity's hand and run off to the hot cider tent.

"Without roots and without honesty," his aunt suddenly spat out. "I cannot believe Lord and Lady Diamond allow such a transient, independent creature into their home."

Independent! That seemed a strange condemnation, but Alex supposed the gypsies, who were famous for being self-sufficient and living life on their own terms, must seem threatening to his aunt's view of British rule and order. After all, not that long ago it was still a criminal offense even to speak with them. Luckily, British laws had changed.

"It is only for entertainment," he reminded her. The woman must be in costume, he concluded, for one couldn't command a genuine gypsy to be anywhere at any particular time. Not even Lady Diamond could do that.

"Keep your wits about you," Aunt Elizabeth advised Emmeline, "and if you have any valuables, hold them tightly when near that light-fingered diddler."

"Gentle guests," Lady Diamond began, drawing everyone's gaze. "We are lucky tonight to be in the presence of Mrs. Boswell, a gifted teller of fortunes. If any are interested, you may sit down with her, and she'll tell you what she sees."

"Balderdash!" Aunt Elizabeth exclaimed loudly.

"Why, then you needn't sit with her, Lady Aston." Lady Diamond's sharp tone was one Alex had never heard from Clarity's mother before.

"Well!" his aunt muttered before retreating to a chair at the far end of the room.

In a far more organized fashion than Alex would have thought possible, people began to take turns while staying in a ring around the fortune-teller, with the one closest to the chair opposite going first.

Most of the gypsy's words were ambiguous with general promises. However, since her predictions were pleasant and benign, the other guests were in good humor, clapping at each new proclamation. They also laughed when the fortune-teller seemed to get something oddly accurate, such as telling Lady Branton a second helping of dessert was in her future. Indeed, the lady had mentioned wanting another portion of custard trifle directly after polishing off the first at dinner and eagerly looking forward to supper. But given her expectant condition, it was a safe guess.

For most of the soothsayer's proclamations, Alex could have easily said an equally bland and truthful declaration. Nonetheless, he found his interest piqued when Emmeline took the seat in front of Mrs. Boswell.

"A lovely lady with everything ahead of her," the fortune-teller began. "Do you have a question for me?"

Emmeline glanced at him first, then asked, "Can you tell me something about my future husband?"

Many of the guests looked at Alex, and suddenly his cravat felt too tight. When he saw Clarity also watching him, he was rewarded with her encouraging smile. At the sight of her dimples, the tension inside him released a little.

Mrs. Boswell remained silent for a moment, as if dredging up some answer from the mystical recesses of her brain.

"He will adore you, and you will feel the same."

Alex felt a shiver of shock race through him. He definitely did not adore Emmeline Brambury. He wasn't even sure what adoration would feel like, but it didn't describe the practical admiration he felt for her as a sensible female.

Emmeline opened her mouth, looking equally stunned. He doubted she adored him, either.

"And I see chickens," the soothsayer added.

"Chickens?" Emmeline repeated.

"Yes, many of them. Many, many feathers. And eggs."

The guests laughed. Emmeline pushed her chair back a little harshly.

"All in fun," Lady Diamond reminded everyone.

Nevertheless, Emmeline went to sit with Aunt Elizabeth, who wore a less-than-pleased expression.

Eventually, the Diamond ladies had their turns. With the youngest ones, it was all giggling and silly questions about the handsomeness of their future spouses.

Naturally, the fortune-teller promised each they would meet their heart's desire in the coming years.

"You may not recognize him as such at first," she told Radiance.

"He will need something from you," she told Brilliance.

Purity sat down looking reluctant. "Whatever you wish to tell me will be welcome," she said politely.

The fortune-teller nodded. "Your heart will be much affected and soon. You will be surprised, I think. But don't let your rigid notions blind you."

Purity squirmed and rose to her feet. Alex thought it was starting to get interesting, especially when Clarity took the chair next.

He watched her profile as she gazed steadily at the soothsayer.

"Your eyes are like your sister's," the woman said, "but inside, you are different."

Clarity's family laughed softly at the plain truth. Alex couldn't take his gaze off her, for she glowed with excitement and had a delicate blush to her cheeks. The gypsy reached out a hand, and Clarity placed hers on the upturned palm.

"Your husband is near," Mrs. Boswell said, her voice dropped to a serious whisper. "He is in this very room."

Brennon coughed, and many laughed again, but Alex noticed Clarity's face grew serious, even as her cheeks became redder.

"And will he adore me?" she asked in a whisper.

The fortune-teller closed her eyes. When they popped open, she smiled. "He already does."

Alex felt as if he'd been punched in the stomach.

Clarity's glance found his before she rose to her feet and rejoined her family.

"Will some of the men have their futures told?"

"Not unless Mrs. Boswell knows who will win at Epsom Downs," Adam's friend, Lord Kilbey quipped.

Regardless, a few men did in fact take the seat before the soothsayer, happy to play along.

When Brennon took a turn, the mystic told him, "You will soon take a journey."

"Perhaps a wedding trip?" the man asked to the other guests' amusement.

"No," Mrs. Boswell said. "Not likely."

"Oh." Brennon rose with a frown.

When offered a turn, Alex declined, unable to shake the fear the woman would see into his soul and know him to be trouble. And if she saw into his heart, then what?

Adam was the last to receive his fortune.

"A happy life," Mrs. Boswell assured him. "And an answer to your heart's yearning where you might least expect it."

"Bravo," Lord Diamond said. "That's what happened to me with Lady Diamond."

The crowd, who by this time all had a drink in hand, raised their glasses in a jolly cheer.

Relieved it was finished, Alex wandered over to where his aunt and Emmeline were chatting together.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked. Both pairs of eyes looked up at him.

"It was horrid," Emmeline said. "Chickens, indeed. I cannot but think she wanted to humiliate me."

He sighed. "Doubtful." Suddenly, he needed to give in to his earlier longing to be alone in his room. All this social interaction was wearing upon him. "If you ladies will excuse me, I shall see you at supper."

Despite their displeased expressions, he turned heel and left them. Nearly at the door, he realized Clarity had appeared by his side.

"You aren't staying for the piano recital?"

"I'm afraid I wasn't paying attention earlier when the evening's entertainment was described, but if no one minds, I will beg off."

She nodded. "No one minds. I only wanted to make sure you were well."

He was not well, at least not peaceful in his mind. He could hardly tell her she was the reason, although it was the truth. Coming back to the place he'd spent many happy and carefree moments had been a mistake.

Alex nodded, turned, and walked away, which was harder than he'd imagined. He wished to grab her hand and bring her along. Each footfall he took in the Diamonds' home was retracing a step he'd taken in the past, usually with her tagging along beside him.

He'd been a hopeful youth, dreaming of a future perhaps with plants and travel, as Clarity had reminded him once. He hadn't imagined the plants would be ordinary crops, and the travel would be no farther than the reaches of his own holdings.

It was somewhat painful to return to Oak Grove Hall, feeling all his hopes had been dashed. But he had become an adult with responsibilities, the sole Hollidge heir and a viscount, and his path no longer had room for the dreams of a boy. He had to try not to see his younger self around every corner, nor wish to trade places with him.

And the dreams of a man were even more dangerous where Clarity was concerned. He, more than most, needed stability in his life, not her capriciousness.

Halfway through the first piano piece being played impeccably by the ancient Lady Fenwick, Clarity realized Purity was widening her eyes and wrinkling her nose again. They met once more upon the stairs.

"Don't tell me — you were unimpressed with your dazzling fortune," Clarity concluded.

"Obviously. No one wants their ‘rigid notions' mentioned in mixed company, but that's not what this is about. It is about you."

Clarity sighed. "I tried not to call Alex by his name, but still it slipped out. Won't you overlook my impropriety?"

"I was wrong yesterday," Purity said.

"Were you?" Clarity asked with interest. Her sister hardly ever admitted to fault, mostly because she almost never made a misstep of any kind. "When was this?"

"When I accused you of trying to rub Miss Brambury's nose in your old friendship with Lord Hollidge and get under her skin. It's not that at all, is it?"

Clarity felt her cheeks warm. "What are you thinking?"

"I am thinking that my oldest, darling sister is in love with the Viscount Hollidge."