A Duke in the Night(72)

Which of course, changed nothing. While she might take advantage of these last weeks in Dover, far from the merciless scrutiny of London, when they were over, so was whatever was between her and August. If Clara wished to continue teaching, no matter where, she needed to retain her image of perfect propriety.

She was beginning to hate it. But that was simply fact.

Clara left her rooms, determined to push reality to the side for another night and enjoy the time she had remaining. With the end of summer, she wouldn’t have August. With the end of summer, she wouldn’t have the job that had given her such purpose for so many years. But for tonight, she’d leave worry for tomorrow.

She met Tabby and Theo in the hall as she descended the stairs. Tabitha was once again arranging flowers in the vase that was the centerpiece of the round table in the center of the hall, an embroidered blue shawl draped elegantly over her shoulders and her silver hair touched almost gold by the slanted rays coming in through the long hall windows.

“Those roses are stunning,” Clara said as she approached, eyeing the profusion of blooms in fuchsia and soft pink.

“Aren’t they? Amelia cut them for me from the gardens out back. Says certain types of roses do better if they are pruned a little more aggressively.” She worked another bloom into the vase and glanced at Clara. “You look fetching tonight, dear,” she commented. “You must have been out in the fresh air. It’s put a lovely color in your cheeks.”

“Thank you.” Clara willed herself not to blush further. It wasn’t the fresh air that had put color in her cheeks, but she wasn’t going to argue. “His Grace will be joining us for dinner tonight,” she said, and she hoped that it sounded casual.

“Oh, lovely,” Theo said with a sly smile. “I was a little afraid I’d embarrassed him beyond repair. You know, when I asked if he’d like to model for the class.” She grinned, her eyes twinkling.

“I think His Grace has gotten over himself,” Clara said with a chuckle.

“Who has gotten over what?” Harland strolled into the hall with Rose on his heels and set a gallant kiss on Tabby and Theo’s cheeks before coming to do the same to Clara.

“Harland,” she said, blinking, “I didn’t expect you for dinner.”

“Got back from town earlier than expected,” he said.

Clara’s eyes darted from her brother to Rose, but she couldn’t read anything in their expressions. If Harland had been in town, he would have picked up the post. Perhaps there had been word from London. Perhaps there was word of the ships—

“Not yet,” he whispered, apparently reading her mind. “No news yet from the docks. But soon. I’m sure of it. Don’t lose faith.”

Clara nodded, her brow creasing and a renewed wave of anxiety rising. She knew very well that there was nothing they could do except wait, but the uncertainty became more pronounced with each day that passed.

“You look lovely this evening, Clara,” Harland continued in a voice everyone could hear, distracting her from her grim thoughts. He was looking her up and down, a faint expression of consternation on his face. “You look…different. Did you do something new with your hair?”

She forced a smile onto her face. It had, in fact, taken her an age to fix what the Duke of Holloway had done to her hair. “I don’t believe so, no,” she said. “But thank you for the compliment.” She took a deep breath. “I had just mentioned to Theo and Tabby that His Grace will be joining us for dinner,” she said.

“Why?” Harland asked.

Clara shot him what she hoped was a look of cool admonishment. “Because I invited him.”

“Did you send his invitation in hieroglyphs?” Rose asked sweetly. “Or has he learned to read since last week?”

From the center of the hall, Tabitha snorted with laughter.

Clara scowled and ignored her sister. “May I assume, Harland, from the lack of bloodstains on your clothes and what appears to be a fresh shave, you will be joining us as well?” Clara asked.

“I will.” He stared hard at Clara. “Is Holloway done, then, with his business here?”

Clara shrugged, keeping her expression neutral, looking between her siblings. “I’m sure I wouldn’t know. You can ask him tonight. But please try and be pleasant. Both of you. He’ll be here shortly.”

“I’m always pleasant,” Harland replied.

Clara made a face at him just as a decisive knock echoed from the front door. The butler instantly appeared and pulled it open, allowing late golden sunlight to spill into the hall. The Duke of Holloway stepped in, squinting slightly in the relative dimness as the door closed behind him.

“Good evening, Your Grace,” Theo said, moving forward to greet him. “So wonderful that you could join us tonight.”

“Lady Theodosia.” August offered Theo a chivalrous bow and caught her hand, bringing her knuckles to his lips. “My lady, may I compliment you on your appearance. That color of silk is spectacular on you.”

The portly woman cackled with delight. “And here I thought it might be the dress.”

“That too.” He grinned at her, and Theo giggled like a girl. “For what they’re worth, my lady, you have my apologies for my earlier intrusion.”

Lady Theodosia waved her hand. “Your apologies aren’t worth anything, dearie, because I wasn’t offended. It was your sensibilities I was concerned for.”