There was something about annoyance which Clarissa always thought made a person a very much better shot. It was as if somehow anger focused the physical senses, and she found that her eye was just a little keener and her hand just a little steadier. Whatever it was, Clarissa was hitting the centre of the target every time. Despite her annoyance, her proficiency was proving to be really rather satisfying.
“Do you mind if I join you?” The voice behind her came so suddenly that Clarissa gasped and turned around. “Good heavens, please do not shoot me.”
There before her stood Alistair Maher, the Earl of Marston. He held his hands out in front of him in rather an amusing fashion. Clarissa suddenly thought him rather brave, bearing in mind that she had turned around with a fully loaded bow.
“Please do not make yourself uneasy, Sir. I shall not shoot you today.” Clarissa smiled at him before turning back to the target and firing the arrow at it. “There, you are now quite safe.”
“Which is more than can be said for the target. Good heavens, you have hit it dead centre.” Alistair Maher squinted into the distance before turning to her and looking incredibly impressed.
“It seems to have been that sort of a morning, Sir. I have not let loose an arrow which did not strike the centre of the target even once this day.”
“Then you are on fine form, My Lady.” He smiled broadly.
“I was not expecting to see you here today, Sir,” Clarissa said, remembering that her mother and Lady Marston were taking tea but that there had been no further mention of the Earl of Marston joining them.
“Well, I had not intended to come. However, when I saw my mother making herself ready to come out for tea with your mother, I rather decided to tag along. I do hope you do not mind.” He raised his eyebrows at her in question.
“I do not mind at all, Sir,” Clarissa said and found that she rather meant it. “Would you care to play?” Clarissa indicated the bow with a simple nod of her head.
“Yes, I should like that very much.” He smiled at her, and Clarissa was reminded of how she had found him quite handsome with his dark hair and eyes.
“In that case, would you care to go first or second?”
“Oh, perhaps it ought to be ladies first.” He smiled at her.
“Oh, my dear Earl, I rather fear you will come to regret your chivalry.” Clarissa smiled at him broadly and loaded the bow.
“You are not keen on chivalry, My Lady?” he asked.
“Quite the contrary, Sir. I am all for it. However, in this particular instance,” Clarissa paused in her speech long enough to fire her arrow. “You might do rather better to forget chivalry and fight for the win.” Clarissa looked back down the garden at the target with a broad grin. Once again, her arrow was sitting dead centre.
“In that case, My Lady, I shall leave my chivalry at the door and fight you to the death.” He returned her grin and gently took the bow from her hands.
As he reached into the basket, took an arrow and loaded it into the bow, Clarissa felt a certain excitement begin to grip her. Just the manner in which he loaded the thing told her that Alistair Maher was rather more than simply competent. So, she was to get a proper competition today. Clarissa had to admit to herself that the idea of it was rather appealing.
When Alistair let loose the arrow, and it whistled through the air and planted itself on the target in the very centre, so close to her own arrow that the two were touching, Clarissa could have cheered. She always longed for good competition but never more so than she did at that moment. The thrill of striving to win would undoubtedly take her mind off Spencer Farrington for an hour or two. Perhaps it would even wipe him away altogether as she found her attention irresistibly drawn in the direction of the Earl of Marston.
“Now that, Sir, is more like it,” Clarissa said in open admiration. “We really do have a competition on her hands here, do we not?”
“I do believe you are right, My Lady. I accept your challenge.” And with that, Alistair Maher bowed rather deeply.
“Good; you have no idea how pleased I am about that. Let us play our little competition here now and then retire to the drawing-room for scalding hot tea and overly-sweet cakes when we are done.”
“That sounds like a very fine suggestion, My Lady.”
“Thank you.” Clarissa nodded at him as he handed her the bow and passed her an arrow from the basket.
“Your shot, My Lady.” He smiled as his eyes fixed on hers. “Just do not fire until I have removed our previous two arrows if you would be so kind.”
“I have already promised not to shoot you today, Lord Marston.” Clarissa laughed for the first time in days.
Whilst it was true that Alistair Maher was a little more serious in his aspect than Spencer Farrington, still, he had enough of a capacity for humour to hold Clarissa’s interest.
Clarissa and Alistair continued to play companionably in the pale afternoon sunshine. Throughout the majority of their game, the two were often neck and neck, with one or other of them taking the lead momentarily here and there. All in all, the game was an exciting one, and Clarissa had found that Alistair Maher’s company had come as rather a pleasant surprise.
“There is an afternoon buffet at the home of your friend, Harriet Lennox, next week. Mother and I have been invited although, unfortunately, Mother is unable to attend. I wonder, will you yourself be in attendance?”
“Oh yes, of course. Harriet and her family really are the most wonderful hosts,” Clarissa enthused.
“And will Lord Farrington be there?” Alistair spoke a little more cautiously and, when he let loose the arrow from the bow, it did hit the target but was rather wide of the centre.
“I believe that Lord Farrington has been invited, Sir, but as to whether or not he intends to accept the invitation, I am entirely unaware.” Clarissa wondered at how low she suddenly felt and how very quickly her mood had changed.
In truth, she was not in the least bit annoyed by the Earl of Marston’s question, just rather disappointed that she had been forced, once again, to think about Spencer Farrington. Especially when she had finally begun to enjoy herself.
“I hope I have not spoken out of turn, My Lady.”
“You have not spoken out of turn at all, Lord Marston. And it is true that I genuinely have no idea if Lord Farrington will attend. My intuition tells me not, but I should not rely on my intuition entirely as a source in this instance.” Clarissa gave a frozen smile.
“Forgive me for being so very forward, My Lady, but is there an understanding between yourself and Lord Farrington?”
“In truth, Sir, my father would very much wish it. However, since I have been given the final say in the matter, I can tell you that there is currently no understanding at all between myself and Lord Spencer Farrington.” Even as she spoke the words, Clarissa felt her mouth go a little dry.
After all, if there was no understanding between them, and it was she who had made it so, why should the idea of their broken connection render her so utterly desolate?
“I do hope you forgive my intrusion, My Lady.” Alistair spoke sincerely, but Clarissa rather thought that she could detect a certain pleasure in his countenance.
Undoubtedly, the Earl of Marston was really rather pleased to find Lady Clarissa Kensington quite without attachment of any kind.
Chapter Eight
Spencer Farrington had made the carriage journey over to the home of Harriet Lennox with something of a heavy heart. In truth, he had very nearly declined the invitation, thinking that his attendance would only serve to make both himself and Clarissa most uncomfortable; not to mention their hostess, Harriet.
However, in the end, Spencer simply could not relinquish an opportunity to set eyes upon Clarissa once more. More than anything, he wanted a chance to make things right between them. He knew that he had been incredibly foolish, especially in assuming that Clarissa would not have immediately recognised his intentions at their last meeting.
However,
he had spoken truthfully when he had told her that it had not been his sole intent in calling upon her that day. In his heart, Spencer had simply wanted to see Clarissa, and that was all. As they had ridden out, and he had seen the opportunity to marry two events together, he had rather foolishly seized it.
Spencer knew that nothing but the truth would do, and he fully intended to tell her it all when he saw her. If only he had heeded the advice of his sister-in-law, Evelyn. She already knew well the pitfalls of being married into a family where a long-running feud already existed and plotting, planning, and schemes of all varieties were very much the order of the day.
Evelyn had told him in no uncertain terms of her perception of Clarissa’s feelings on the afternoon at the race track. And when he looked at it in the cold light of day, he had been rude. Of course, he had. And yet, it rather seemed that something overtook him whenever the discussion of the copper mine arose between himself and his brother.
Still, Spencer had a very deep desire to be a part of things and to please Gabriel in a way that he had never been able to please his own father. However, in the many long days since he had last seen Clarissa, Spencer began to wonder if such family approval was really worth striving for, particularly if it meant losing something that was even more important to him.
When he had finally arrived at the home of Miss Harriet Lennox on the very outskirts of Winterton, Spencer could see most clearly that his hostess had not expected him to make an appearance at all. Poor Harriet Lennox looked rather stricken when she saw him, and it would take him some further moments to realise why.
When Spencer had been shown into the large drawing room of the Lennox home, his eyes had immediately searched for her. Within seconds, he had found her.
There, sitting on a couch with a small plate resting on her knee was Lady Clarissa Kensington. Sitting next to her on the couch was a tall and rather disturbingly handsome looking man who, after some moments of study, Spencer finally identified as the Earl of Marston.
As he had entered the room, Spencer had been aware that Clarissa had looked up for just long enough to see him make his entrance. No sooner had she spied him than she immediately turned her attention back to her companion who seemed himself entirely unaware of his rival’s sudden appearance.
“Do make yourself comfortable, Lord Farrington.” Suddenly Harriet Lennox was at his side.
An exemplary hostess as always, she would not let one of her guests falter for a moment, even when they had very likely deserved the shock they had just received. “Now then, can I tempt you to either sherry or brandy, Sir?” Harriet went on brightly.
In truth, Spencer and Harriet were not particularly well acquainted, and the tenuous relationship rested entirely upon their mutual friendship with Clarissa Kensington. However, at that moment, Spencer felt so very grateful to Harriet that it was almost as if he had known her properly.
“I should very much like a sherry, Miss Lennox. I thank you.” Spencer had regained himself as best he could and smiled brightly at the young woman.
In truth, he wished he had never come.
“Perhaps you would care to take a sherry with me, Sir. There is at least one couch left in want of sitters that I know of.”
“I should like that very much, Miss Lennox.” Spencer began to feel just a little better. “Please do lead the way.”
“You must forgive my surprise upon your arrival, Sir, for I must be entirely honest and admit that I had not thought that you would attend my home this evening,” Harriet said truthfully and rather soothingly the very moment they were settled on a couch in the far corner of the room with their drinks.
“If I am honest, Miss Lennox, I had very nearly decided not to come at all. But I must admit, in the end, my desire to see Lady Kensington rather outstripped my common sense.” He looked suitably chagrined.
“Well, that is nothing to be ashamed of, Sir. In truth, I rather think it commendable.” Harriet had a pretty and rather open and friendly face, and she smiled at him with more encouragement than he felt he truly deserved.
“I thank you for your kindness, Miss Lennox. However, I am not entirely sure that I am a deserving recipient.”
“Oh, we all make mistakes, Lord Farrington. It is hardly the end of the world.” Harriet laughed prettily.
“I rather think it is the end of the world if it is a mistake that I cannot rectify.” Spencer could not help letting his eyes roam in the direction of Clarissa and Lord Marston.
Clarissa looked more beautiful than ever to him that night, wearing a gown of the deepest midnight blue which made her golden hair and blue eyes seem brighter than ever. Every time she smiled at the Earl of Marston, Spencer felt himself wincing internally. How he adored those full, rosy lips, and how her smile always seemed to upend him. He could not help wondering if her smile was having the very same effect upon the Earl.
“I feel sure that, sooner or later, an opportunity to make things well again will undoubtedly present itself. Perhaps it is simply a matter of waiting and watching and being ready when the time comes. After all, your crimes were not so great that their effects are likely to be permanent.”
“I am afraid it rather seems that way at the moment.” Spencer had not broken his gaze across the room.
“My dear Lord Farrington, what you do not see is the fact that you have only done something that is easily forgiven. The real issue rather lies in the fact that your somewhat driven behaviour has led Clarissa to look at the broader picture. You see, she rather worries that if she is to take second place to business matters when you are but short weeks into your courtship, what might her married life be like?” Harriet blushed a little. “I realise that I am rather stepping on into the future with such a remark and would not wish to embarrass either you or my dear friend Clarissa with a suggestion that either of you had intended to sail towards matrimony. In truth, that is none of my business, and I ought not to make it so. However, I cannot explain entirely what I mean and can be of no use to you whatsoever, Sir, without laying it all out in this fashion. Do you understand?”
“I understand entirely, Miss Lennox. Not only do I understand, but I thank you. I realised, of course, that my behaviour was not quite what it ought to have been. What I had not realised was the ruminations that it must have caused within Lady Kensington, and I now fully understand quite why it is that she might choose to set her future intentions on another man entirely.”
“Do you mean Lord Marston?” Harriet said with something of a mischievous grin.
“Well, I daresay we only have the evidence of our eyes.” And, once again, he tortured himself by looking across the room.
“I am rather afraid that Clarissa does not yet know Lord Marston well. He is charming and handsome, and that is the truth. He is also extremely personable and, perhaps once or twice a day, makes a comment that is passably amusing.” Harriet wrinkled her face in merriment.
“But?” Spencer urged her on.
“But,” she looked at him significantly. “The Earl of Marston rather lacks a certain strength of character. It is rather hard to put into words, but I know to be true. There may come a time, indeed, I believe it is quite likely, when he will disappoint Clarissa dreadfully. I realise this all seems a little vague, but I know that they are not truly suited. Clarissa is a strong and intelligent character, and she silently demands strength of character in any potential suitor. You must simply be ready to show her that that is exactly what you do have when the time comes.”
“Well, I hear what you say but rather wonder how I shall ever find the circumstances in which to prove myself.”
“Do not look quite so crestfallen, Sir. I generally find that these things work out for the best and in quite the way that they are supposed to. And the only way for you to find the right circumstances in which to prove yourself is to always ensure your own attendance.”
“My own attendance?” Spencer looked at her little confused.
“Yes. What I mean is that you must attend a
ll the events to which both you and Clarissa are invited. Do not, as you almost did this evening, shy away from an event simply to make things a little more comfortable for either you or Clarissa.”
“I shall do as you say, Miss Lennox. After all, it rather appears I have nothing to lose.”
“And everything to gain.” Harriet smiled brightly before taking a sip of her sherry. “Furthermore, it does not hurt to remind my dear Clarissa of your existence at every opportunity. Whilst she smiles and appears content on the other side of the room, in my heart, I know her to be otherwise. She is really rather good at presenting a calm and collected appearance whatever the tumultuous conditions inside her own heart. You must remember that, Sir, and even look for it.”
“These last words you say, Miss Lennox, have truly given me hope in the matter. I cannot possibly thank you enough.”
“You can simply thank me, Sir, by putting yourself and Clarissa back on the path that I feel sure you both really ought to be on.”
“I shall do my very best, Miss Lennox.”
Chapter Nine
Once again, Spencer Farrington found himself in the position of attending a social event entirely alone. Lord and Lady Thompson had a large and rather wealthy country estate and were hosting yet another of their famously well-attended balls.
Knowing that Clarissa would surely be in attendance, Spencer had found himself rather nervous in his preparations and had changed his attire more than once. In the end, he had decided upon a simple outfit of black breeches and tailcoat with a cream waistcoat and white shirt.
As much as he tried to remember the rather wise words of Harriet Lennox, still Spencer could do no other than dread the fact that he fully expected Clarissa to spend much of the evening in company with the Earl of Marston and absolutely none of it in his company.
The Thompson estate was one of the wealthiest in the area and, as Gabriel had quite rightly pointed out, Lord Thompson had been noted on the list of interested parties in the business of the secretive opening of the copper mine on the Duchy of Horndean lands. Gabriel had given him much instruction before he had set off as to how he was to ingratiate himself with the ageing Lord.
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