Page 17 of A Lady's Propitious Match
“Yes, I remember.”
Clare could hardly believe that Elliot was asking this question, when that man had been on her mind ever since she first laid eyes on him yesterday.
“Well, Christopher has been a long term friend of mine, and he finds himself in a position that he does not want to be in. A little like yourself.”
“What do you mean?” Clara gasped, shocked that her cousin had also seen their similarities. Not that she understood what her cousin was specifically talking about.
“Since he has been back from Europe, his mother has been endlessly pressuring him. Putting him under immense strain to marry someone that he has no interest in. Miss Henrietta Devereux. She is a very eligible young lady, but she does not share any of the same interests as him. He does not see any way that they will be able to get along.”
Clara was completely taken aback. This statement knocked her off guard completely. “So, what does this have to do with me?”
“Well, you are in a similar situation, are you not? With Lord Simon Caldwell.”
“Y… yes, I am,” Clara stammered back. Her head spun as she tried to work out where this conversation was going. She had no idea; she could not work it out at all.
“Well, what do you think about entering into a fake courtship with Christopher?”
Clara knotted her brows together in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“If you act like you have found feelings for one another, and behave as if it is Christopher that you wish to marry, then you will redirect your relatives’ matrimonial aims. Your parents would likely forget about Lord Caldwell, and Christopher’s mother will end the pressure with regards to Miss Devereux.”
“I see…”
The more Elliot talked, the less Clara understood. How did he think this was going to work? How on earth would he get Christopher to agree to this? It was madness.
“I have already mentioned this to Christopher,” Elliot continued, almost as if he could sense Clara’s confusion. “And he seemed very open to the idea.”
“He did?”
Clara felt her breath ball up in her throat. She was not expecting that at all. Why would Christopher be so keen on this arrangement? Was it because he was so desperate not to marry Miss Devereux, or did he feel the same sparkle between them when they met?
Was it possible that he was interested in her too? If his issue with Henrietta was that they had nothing in common, then surely the fact that they both loved art meant there really could be something between them?
“This could buy you some time,” Elliot reminded her. “That is my priority.
The risk gave Clara pause. Exposure to such a ruse could damage her prospects irreparably. Then Lord Simon Caldwellwould be the least of her issues. She would not have anyone wanting to walk her down the aisle.
“You do not need to worry,” Elliot declared smilingly, almost as if he could read Clara’s mind. “This ruse will work out perfectly. Christopher and you both want the same thing from it. Once you have redirected your parent’s attention, you can call off the arrangement and both keep your reputations intact. This will be great for both of you.”
Clara could not stop her pulse from quickening at the idea of extended interactions with Christopher. It was exactly what she wanted, to get to know him better and to learn more from him. But it was still a little unnerving to imagine taking such a risk.
“You do not have to answer me right away,” Elliot insisted. “I know that this is a lot, and I am sure you need to take some time to think this through. That is absolutely fine.”
Clara nodded numbly. “Yes, thank you.”
“Well, I will take my leave now, because I know you have your guest here. Lady Chambers will not want to spend all day, wandering around the gardens.”
Clara had all but forgotten about the visit from her best friend. This had swept everything else out of her mind.
“I will walk you out, Elliot, so I can call her back inside.”
Clara was torn. She could feel herself struggling as she walked Elliot to the door. She knew that this might end up being the most important decision she ever made. If she took the tremendous leap of faith by accepting Elliot’s plan, then she might be rewarded with the chance to determine her own fate.
But if everything went wrong… well, she was terrified of that prospect.
Clara waved Elliot off before seeking out Imogen. Her friend was walking among the beautiful roses, admiring them as she went. She seemed quite content spending time with nature, but Clara absolutely had to interrupt her.
Not for the painting, but now because she needed some advice.
