Page 42 of An Inkpot and a Dowry for the Marchioness

“I really do not think—”

“I think it is a perfectly lovely idea.”

Everybody turned to Claire in surprise and she flushed. She had been quiet all throughout luncheon and most of them had become quite used to her monosyllabic replies, so they had not expected her to agree to the idea of going out that afternoon.

“See? Even Claire agrees!”

Oliver caught his sister looking over at Claire, who just smiled shyly at her in return. It seemed that they were well on their way to mending their friendship.

Lady Suzanna smiled. “Well, in that case, I do have a new bonnet that I have yet to wear. Most appropriate, too.”

Trixie laughed and clapped her hands, delighted at having gotten her way at last.

Oliver sat back and watched as his small family tentatively smiled at each other. His dark eyes met Claire’s and she blushed prettily before she turned her gaze back to her food, stirring a warm feeling in his heart.

For so long, he had been the one stealing glances at her, that he did not know quite what to make ofherlooking furtively at him.

He was glad, though, for the opportunity to make her smile, for the chance to be able to help her when she needed it the most.

She does not have to love me back in the same way I do. But if she did, it would be the happiest moment of my earthly life…

* * *

Claire had felt the soft gaze on her before she saw it. When she looked up and found His Grace looking so gently on her, she found that she could not look away from that gaze.

It pinned her but not in an oppressive manner. Rather, she found that she wanted to stay in that gaze a little longer.

That was until she recognized that they were all having luncheon together.

She looked away from him and struggled to focus on her food instead. Luncheon was simply delicious, as Lady Suzanna supervised over the kitchens, and the entire household, superbly.

She could only hope to be as good when she returned to Ranhold Manor.

Or, she blushed,when I inevitably marry and have my own household to run.

She had not thought about Lord Draydon in a long while now, having been so preoccupied with mourning the loss of her father. Now that she was feeling the weight of her grief slowly lift, she began to think more of him, although lately, she had taken to comparing him to His Grace,of all people.

I have absolutely no good model for the conduct of men except His Grace and Father, she surmised.It is perfectly natural to consider them as the standards on which I must judge my potential husband.

Although she had to admit that Trixie was right in one matter—it would have been far more convenient for all of them if she married His Grace instead.

For one, she could not imagine having the Marquess in Ranhold Manor, in her father’s study.

On the other hand, she had been so used to seeing Oliver at their estate, seeing as her parents had been his guardians after the demise of his own.

Everybody in Ranhold Manor knew His Grace and loved him.

She was not too sure they would feel the same way if she were to bring home a different man for a husband.

Especially if Trixie was not so accepting of him.

“What do you think, Claire?”

The question pierced through her reverie so she had to shake her head to clear it of the cobwebs that had clouded it.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, a blush suffusing her features. “I had not been paying attention.”

Trixie laughed. “His Grace was asking if you would like to go for a carriage ride before we have afternoon tea.”