The Training of a Marquess (17 page)

Claire glanced at her maid. “He knows my scent?”

“His lordship was very specific, so yes, I imagine he does.”

As Maggie unbuttoned her gown, Claire considered how much attention he had paid to her without her realizing it. She stepped into the bathwater and all she could think about was him. Her lips still tingled from his kiss. What would it feel like to lie with him, to feel him inside her?

Would it be the same feeling of duty as it had with Thomas? She’d never regretted the nights Thomas came to her because it resulted in Andrew. But it had never been pleasurable and had sometimes hurt. The intriguing thought that it would somehow be different with Chase teased her mind. The warm water relaxed her and she closed her eyes. Her mind drifted to Chase and the three kisses he had given her. She wanted more.

After her bath, Maggie performed a miracle with Claire’s long straight hair, twisting and curling it into a soft, pleasing style with curls flowing down her back. When Maggie held up a pale blue silk gown, one Claire hadn’t worn in almost a year, she shook her head.

“No, Maggie, I cannot wear that. It would cause too much talk among the servants.”

“Lord Derebourne had a word with Smithfield and told him to tell all of us that anyone who dared to have a wrong word to say about you would be dismissed immediately. Besides, my lady, you have always been kind, and there is not a one of us who would want to see you hurt, so there is nothing to worry about. Now, hold up your arms.”

Claire’s eyes stung. To have someone care enough to protect her shouldn’t make her want to cry. Maggie slipped the gown over her head, careful not to disturb her hair. She had worn black for so long that it was hard to reconcile the woman in the mirror with the image of the grieving widow of the past year.

“Perfect,” Maggie said from behind her. Her maid picked up a bottle of Claire’s violet scent. “Mustn’t forget this.” She dabbed some behind Claire’s ears and on her wrists.

Claire fastened a pair of blue sapphire earrings on her ears and decided to forgo the matching necklace. She liked the simplicity of the gown without any adornments other than the earrings.

“I’m ready,” she said.

Maggie glanced at the clock on the mantel. “You have ten more minutes before you can go down. Lord Derebourne said you were to arrive at precisely six.”

Claire’s excitement grew. What were the Warren men up to? The ten minutes seemed like an hour, but at three minutes to six, Maggie told her to go as it would take at least that much time to walk to the conservatory.

Claire resisted the urge to run down the stairs in her eagerness to experience the first surprise of her life.

Chapter Thirteen

The twins awaited her outside the conservatory wearing identical smiles on their faces. Claire grinned at the sight of the adorable boys dressed as little men.

She curtseyed. “Good evening.”

The boys sketched a most proper bow. “Good evening, my lady,” Bensey said. “We have planned a special evening for you because you are our special friend.” He turned to Harry. “It’s your turn now.”

“I know that, Bensey.”

Claire stifled a laugh. What would Harry say?

“You look ever so lovely, Lady Claire,” Harry said. Bensey vigorously nodded. “Bensey and I would be honored to escort you inside.” Each held out an arm.

“I’m delighted to have two such handsome gentlemen as my escorts.”

There would come a day when young ladies would near swoon to have those smiles turned their way. She yearned to be around to witness it. Although it was dusk and light still came through the conservatory glass, candles had been placed along the walkway forming a path to their destination. Her heart beat a rapid tattoo as they led her past fruit trees and blooming flowers, their sweet scents filling the air. Escorting her around a corner, the twins led her into a fantasy land.

She stopped. “Oh, my.”

“Do you like it?” Bensey asked.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. And so was the man standing in the center of it all.

He made a courtly bow. “Welcome, my lady.”

Claire stepped forward, stopped a few feet from him and curtseyed. “I am honored, my lord.”

She pivoted in a slow circle taking it all in. An area had been cleared and decorated. Walls of lush trees and large bushes gave the space an intimate feel. To her left, a sitting area complete with sofa, chairs and a low table had been formed. An exquisite orchid and candles of various heights decorated the table.

To her right, a dinner service as formal as any she had seen—with linens, china and crystal goblets—were set out. The centerpiece was another beautiful orchid surrounded by candles. Behind the dining table, a long sideboard held platters of food.

On a two foot high platform set back in the trees, the twin’s tutor, Mr. Edwards, sat with a violin across his lap. He inclined his head in acknowledgment, picked up the instrument and began to play. Completing her circle, Claire faced the marquess. The night was beautiful, he was beautiful and no one before him had created an evening just for her. Words escaped her.

His warm smile said he understood. The boys came to stand beside him—the three Warren men her heart wanted to claim for itself.

Chase held out his hand. “Come, my lady.”

She placed her hand in his. He led her to the sofa, settling down next to her. Bensey and Harry took seats across from them. Smithfield stepped through the wall of trees bearing a tray. He poured champagne for her and Chase, gave the boys glasses of punch, then disappeared back into the foliage.

Chase lifted a chin toward the twins. “I believe Bensey and Harry have something they want to say.” The boys stood and lifted their glasses. Bensey began to speak, but Harry nudged him. “I’m supposed to go first this time.” Bensey snapped his mouth closed. Harry cleared his throat. “To Lady Claire, a splendid lady who talks to horses. I’m ever so glad to have you as my friend.”

Bensey stepped forward and gave her the shy smile she adored. “To Lady Claire, who doesn’t mind when I get carried away. I like having you as my friend.”

Claire walked around the table, gathered both boys in her arms and hugged them. Bensey stiffened under her touch and she dropped her arms. “I’m honored by your gift of friendship.” She didn’t know what they planned for the remainder of the evening, but if the night ended now, she would still consider it one of the most special times of her life.

“My turn.” Chase said. “This evening is dedicated to an extraordinary lady whom my sons and I admire greatly. May you always be our friend.”

The tears she had been fighting welled up and one rolled down her face. Chase grinned, handing her his handkerchief. “I came prepared.”

As the violin played softly in the background, she wiped her eyes, touched beyond imagining.

“Are you sad, Lady Claire?” Bensey asked.

Laughter bubbled up. “Heavens no, Bensey, these are happy tears. May I say a few words?” Three heads nodded. “To the Warren men. It is an honor to count you as my dearest friends.” She clicked glasses with each and took a sip of her champagne. “Thank you for tonight. I’ll never forget it.”

The next few minutes were spent chatting while they finished their drinks. Harry kept sneaking looks at the food. Claire glanced at Chase to see if he noticed. He smiled and gave her a little nod. The gesture made her feel like a part of their family. If it ever came true, she would love them fiercely and forever.

“Shall we have our dinner?” Chase asked.

The boys stood so fast she almost laughed.

“I take that as a yes,” he said.

He offered his arm, and Claire placed her hand over his as he led her to the table. A deep yearning overtook her. This was where she belonged, by this man’s side.

Once seated, Smithfield emerged from the trees and served them. The dinner consisted of cold foods: a selection of sliced cold meats, bread, cheeses, boiled eggs, pickled relish and fruits. Music played in the background and the conversation flowed easily among them as they talked of things that interested the twins. Dessert was slices of cake and berry pudding. “Enjoy your pudding,” he murmured

Claire blushed, remembering the show she had put on for him. If the boys weren’t present, she would have been tempted to do it again just to see the heat in his eyes.

Tomorrow she would ignore him, but tonight was for her and she was going to be selfish. She would take his attentions, his heated looks, his burning touches on her skin, and when next alone in her cold bed she would wrap the memories of this magical evening around her and snuggle into their warmth.

The last piece of cake disappeared into Harry’s mouth, and Smithfield appeared to remove their plates. He refilled their champagne glasses before vanishing back into the shrubbery. “Can we give it to her now, Father?” Bensey asked.

“I think now is a good time,” Chase said.

Bensey and Harry jumped up and held out their hands. They led her back to the sitting area where a covered easel stood. It had not been there earlier, and like everything else this evening its appearance seemed magical.

The boys moved to stand on each side of the easel. Chase stood off to the side and nodded to the twins. Claire sat on the sofa and clasped her hands in an attempt to contain her excitement. Harry held up a piece of paper and clearing his throat, began to read.

A poem to Lady Claire

She has the prettiest hair

And big blue eyes

That tell no lies

And her smile

Hides no guile

And that is why

Father, Bensey and I

Think

She is a splendid lady to have as our special friend

Harry finished the poem with a big grin. “Father helped a little, but I mostly wrote it myself. Do you like it, my lady?”

Claire blinked against the burning in her eyes. “Oh yes, Harry. It’s a marvelous poem.”

He handed her the paper. “Do you want to keep it?”

Claire took the poem and held it against her heart. “I’ll treasure it always.” And she would. It was her first poem from a gentleman. “Lady Claire, I have a present for you, too,” Bensey said.

“I hope you have painted me a picture.”

He pulled the cover off the easel. At the sight of the picture, she gave a delighted laugh. He had painted her and Amira in caricature. Claire was wearing her leather breeches and having a conversation with her mare. He’d somehow made it look as if Amira was speaking to her. Claire’s head was inclined as if listening intently to the mare. Underneath the painting, the caption read,
A Conversation with Amira
.

“Bensey, it is marvelously clever.” She kissed each boy on the cheek and smiled to herself when wide grins appeared on their faces. “My poem and my painting are the best gifts ever. Thank you, both. A thousand times, thank you.”

Her heart ached to call these boys her sons. She wanted to stand beside their father and watch with him as the twins grew into young men. She wanted to cry with them when they were sad and laugh with them in happiness

“Father has something he would like to ask you now, Lady Claire,” Harry said. “Ask her, Father. You promised you would show us how it is done.”

How what was done? Chase stepped forward and sketched a bow. It was entirely possible her heart was going to pound itself out of her body and land at his feet.

“May I have this dance, my lady?”

Yes. Oh, Yes. She hadn’t known what to expect, but it wasn’t this. “It would be my pleasure, my lord.” She placed her hand in his.

The evening had grown dark and candles flickered among the foliage, the perfume of flowers and rich earth scented the air. The beginning notes of a waltz lifted from the violin and he slid his hand down her spine to her lower back. Goose bumps rose on her arms. Magic claimed the night, enchanting her and the lonely, empty place inside her was all but forgotten.

Chase twirled her around the floor while his mind and heart argued. His mind had only one thought. Mine. His heart wanted to believe it, but feared the what ifs. What if it was only a passing infatuation on her part? What if her true love came along—her own Harry—and stole her from him? What if he put his heart in her hands and she dropped it?

He was only now beginning to look forward to each new day and he knew, just knew this woman had the power to destroy him for good. Throughout the evening she had charmed his sons. She would be a good mother to them, might one day love them as he did.

But he had to be sure of her, would not risk her hurting the boys. He would keep to his plan and take her to London. It would be a test and though it might be unfair to not explain his reasoning, he believed it was the only way he could be sure of her.

“I feel like I am in a fairy tale tonight,” she said. “You and the twins have made this a night I’ll never forget.”

A glow of happiness surrounded her. Her blue eyes sparkled and her cheeks were rose tinted. The angry, pale woman who had greeted him on arrival was nowhere in sight. He liked this woman.

Chase twirled her around and brought them close to the boys. Bensey had his sketchpad out, his hand busy drawing. Harry intently watched he and Claire dance, most likely memorizing the steps. The boy was going to be dangerous to the ladies when he came of age, Chase thought with fatherly pride.

“If this is a fairy tale, then you are the princess,” he said. “I and my two fellow knights will slay your dragons and rescue you from the evil witch.” She gave him her courtesan’s laugh and he felt it down to his toes.

“Oh, Sir Knight, such chivalry must be rewarded. Pray tell, what is your desire?”

My desire is to dance you into my bed and to spend hours, perhaps days, loving you.

“Would you gift me with a kiss, Princess?” He pulled her closer and put his mouth next to her ear. “After my fellow knights are abed and we have the night to ourselves.” A shiver passed through her and he forced himself not to claim his kiss right then.

“A simple kiss, Sir Knight? Not gold or jewels?”

“A simple kiss implies a peck on the lips, Princess. Is that what you want?”

Her eyes darkened. “No,” she whispered.

Chase was in danger of forgetting his manners, throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her off to bed. He glanced at Mr. Edwards and nodded. The music trailed off and he led her into one last twirl.