Page 88 of The Trouble with True Love

It is now certain beyond any doubt that what you feared has not come to pass, and therefore, your obligation is discharged. I hope this letter brings you a measure of relief, and I wish nothing for your future but good fortune and happiness.

Sincerely,

C.M.D.

He stared at the lines of Clara’s prim copperplate script in disbelief. Throwing him off his trolley on a consistent basis seemed to be her special gift, but nonetheless, this was not the news he’d been expecting. He’d been sure beyond doubt there would be a baby, that his future with her was settled and inevitable, and this news left him feeling not only astonished and bewildered, but also strangely bereft.

He read the lines again. She hoped her news would bring him relief—well, that was a reasonable wish, he supposed. Most men, he thought cynically, would be dancing a jig after news like this.

He had never felt less like dancing.

He held the letter to his nose, and as he breathed in the scent of orange blossoms, he thought of that night in her office when she’d stood in his embrace and he’d shown her how to open champagne, and he suddenly realized that he might never have the chance to hold her in his arms again.

Suddenly, he saw a different future ahead of him than the one he’d lately been envisioning, a future like his past, a future without her. As his mind formed that picture, something deep inside Rex cracked and broke apart, and he realized in despair that it was his heart.

He set aside the letter and lowered his face into his hands.

Chapter 20

“I don’t see why we have to go to Lionel Strange’s wedding,” Clara muttered for perhaps the fifth time since Torquil’s carriage had left Upper Brook Street and started toward St. John’s Church. “You don’t even know him, Irene.”

“But Henry knows him slightly, for he is an MP.”

“A tenuous connection, hardly worthy of an invitation to the man’s wedding.”

“Not really. Dukes receive invitations to everything.”

“Not your duke, not after his mother married the Italian.”

“Yes, well, even slightly tarnished, Henry’s still a duke. And since we received the invitation, I decided this wedding would be a good way for Henry and I to take our first step back into society after the Dowager’s fall.”

“But Henry isn’t with us.”

“He had another engagement, so he’s meeting us at the church.”

“It still seems quite odd that he agreed to come at all. I wouldn’t have thought a Labor MP would impress Torquil enough to receive this sort of condescension. Your duke is difficult to impress.”

“Henry’s agreed to go for my sake. Lionel Strange favors the vote for women, and I intend to bend the man’s ear at the wedding breakfast for ideas as to how we can gain more support in the Commons. Henry promised to put in a word of support as well.”

“Lovely. So why were you so insistent I attend?”

“You were included in the invitation, so it’s clear Mr. Strange and Lady Throckmorton want you to come. And why shouldn’t they? From what you told me, you are directly responsible for bringing them back together. You and Galbraith.”

“I’m surprised Rex hasn’t convinced Lionel to call it off,” Clara muttered. “I don’t suppose there’s any chance he’ll stay away?”

“No chance at all, for I heard he’s to be best man. He will be there, you may be sure.”

Clara swallowed hard, dread like a knot in her stomach. “I was afraid of that.”

“And even if he weren’t attending his friend’s wedding,” Irene went on, “you’re likely to see a great deal of him in future, just the same.”

“Do you think so?” The knot of dread twisted tighter.

“You are the sister of a duchess, and he is the future Earl of Leyland. You are bound to see him quite often, especially in the season. Unless, of course, you intend to spend every free moment of the rest of your life working at the paper and brooding in your room.”

“I have not been brooding. And it’s laughable for you, of all people, to criticize me about working too hard on the paper. I remember all your late hours in that office before you married Torquil.”

“My point, darling,” Irene said gently, “is that you will have to face Galbraith sometime. The connection’s made. One can’t undo it now.”

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