The last was said so softly that only Claire heard it. “I have great sense!”
“Pardon, dear?”
Claire waved her hand about and then gave Simon a foul look, which he returned with a smug smile.
“Miss Tarlton,” Lady Belmont said. “Her family is highly regarded, and she has pleasing manners, Lord Kelkirk.”
“Too tame for me, I’m afraid. I cannot have a wife who will trot about obeying my every command, Lady Belmont. As your daughter will tell you, I am already conceited.”
There was silence after this. Even Georgia appeared to be pondering the situation.
“Miss Stamford. She is beautiful and sweet-natured, yet has a strength to her personality that I am sure you will find pleasing, Lord Kelkirk.”
He replaced his cup carefully before answering, and Claire found herself leaning forward, eager to hear what he would say. Of course, she didn’t care whom he married or when.
“I could not sit across the breakfast table and bask in such unblemished beauty day after day, my lady. Miss Stamford has no flaws. Even the tone of her voice is melodious. Alas, I am a severely blemished man and could not hope to compete.”
“Now you’re just toying with me, my lord.” Claire watched her mother titter.
“Indeed, I am not, as my years are progressing, and matrimony is most definitely a consideration soon.” He looked at Claire again, his eyes running over her face before returning to her mother. “I will marry, Lady Belmont, but the woman I marry will be the partner of my choice, as I plan to spend the remainder of my days in her company.”
“Men always say such things, Lord Kelkirk,” her mother scoffed. “But inevitably, they find their clubs and other arenas of pleasure.”
Claire shot her mother a surprised look. She rarely spoke so candidly and never in company. Lady Belmont was jiggling Georgia but looking at Simon, her eyes deadly serious.
“Mother–”
“It’s all right, Claire. Your mother and I are well acquainted, and she can speak freely with me. In fact, I appreciate a woman who speaks her mind,” Simon said, nodding to Lady Belmont. “And I will add that my wife will never have cause to question my fealty to her. She will be the only woman with whom I share my home and heart.”
Claire heard her mother say something, yet she did not know what, as her head was filled with Simon’s words. She will be the only woman with whom I share my home and heart. He had sounded sincere, each word spoken carefully, and she had believed him, even though she had often labeled him a carefree rake. Why had she never seen this side to him? Because you did not want to.
“Yes, what is it, Plimley?” Claire questioned the butler as he appeared at her side.
“Lord Belmont has received urgent correspondence, which he would like to share with you at once, Miss Belmont.”
Claire wasn’t sure why, but her heart suddenly started to thump rapidly in her chest.
“And we must leave, as it is time for Georgia’s nap.” Eva rose and took the baby from Lady Belmont.
“Tell my brother I will be with him shortly, Plimley,” Claire said, regaining her feet, too. Why was she suddenly so tense? Yes, Mathew had never asked her opinion on any notes he had received before, but that did not mean he couldn’t now.
“I shall claim a dance tonight, Claire,” Simon said, taking her hand and bowing deeply before he escorted Eva and the baby out to the waiting carriage. It was as she closed the door behind them that she realized she had not answered him.
Slowly, she made her way to where her brother awaited her in his study. Was this just his way of getting her back into his office so he could question her further?
“You wished to see me, Mathew?”
“Yes. Come in and close the door, Claire.”
She did as he asked and then took the seat across from his desk.
“Read this.” He thrust a note across the desktop towards her, his fingers Claire noticed, were trembling. His face was pale and drawn, and she almost snatched her hand back as she reached for the paper. Something inside her dreaded reading the words written upon it. Taking a deep breath, she lifted the missive and began to read. Seconds later, the paper fluttered from her fingers as she slumped backwards into the chair.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Was that Belmont striding past us looking fierce?” Simon watched as the man stalked across the street ahead of him.
“Where?”
“Having trouble focusing, your grace?” Simon said, pointing at the rapidly disappearing figure of Claire’s brother. Well, he thought it was Claire’s brother. “I believe there is an ocular specialist further up the street. If you’ll take my arm, I’ll escort you there.”