Page 21 of A Lady's Propitious Match
CHAPTER 9
Clara swept left and right, trying to examine herself from every single angle in the mirror. She needed to check every part of this elegant sage day gown, to make sure that it was suitable for today. This very special day where she was going to ‘meet’ Christopher for the very first time in public, so others could see their connection.
It was unnerving. She was definitely very anxious about putting this plan into action, but she also was not sure what else she could do. If she did not pursue this, risking everything, then she would be stuck with Lord Caldwell. She could not stand the idea of being married to Simon.
She smiled at her reflection, loving the way that the sage color accentuated her eyes. More than anything else, she was looking forward to seeing Christopher again. Especially at an art gallery where they would be lucky enough to talk about what they both loved.
Since finally making the decision to pursue Elliot’s idea, Clara had been thinking a lot about their charged encounter at Lady Abigail’s ball. She kept seeing it with new eyes, and imagining it lasting longer. Dancing the night away and talking as much as they wanted to.
She was day dreaming about him, dreaming about him at night as well. He had all but consumed her. Much as their courtship was nothing more than a plan, she could not stop herself from sinking a little too deep in her unexpected feelings.
“Lady Clara,” her lady’s maid, Ruth, declared, capturing her attention. “Lady Imogen Chambers is here. She is waiting for your outing.”
Bubbles of excitement bloomed inside of Clara as she edged closer to the door of her bed chambers. “Perfect, I am ready to see her right away.”
Ruth followed her, because she would be attending the gallery with the women, Imogen’s lady’s maid would also be withthem, as would Elliot. He was likely to be utterly thrilled about this. He had seemed incredibly pleased with himself, ever since he set this plan in motion.
Elliot was a wonderful cousin who always liked to help others. Clara knew that she was very lucky to have him in her life. But today, she was more excited about seeing how he interacted with Imogen. Just in case she was imagining the fission of chemistry between them.
Ooh, it would be very exciting if they fell in love. Having the two closest people to her married would be so much fun. If the chance arose to encourage it, she would.
“Oh, Imogen, I love your gown,” Clara gasped as she climbed in to the carriage with her friend. “Pale blue looks absolutely ravishing on you.”
“Well, I think it is best to dress nice for the gallery. As have you.”
Thank goodness Imogen knew what was happening. Clara would not have been able to pull off this ruse if her best friend had no idea. It would be too difficult to do this, without the support of Imogen. Clara needed her.
They could not talk about it though, not with their maids traveling alongside them. Instead, the women had to satisfy themselves with small talk until they arrived at the Royal Academy of Arts. There, they found Elliot already waiting for them, with a jovial happiness radiating off him.
“Hello there, Ladies.” Elliot curtsied before he offered them his hand to climb out the carriage. “Thank you very much for coming to join me today. I have heard that this art exhibition is quite something. I am looking forward to it.”
Clara retorted… yet her frazzled nerves outweighed her ability to perceive her own words. Now that she was in the same vicinity as Christopher, she was so anxious she could hardly feel her feet touching the ground.
Entering the soaring lobby, Clara’s gaze flickered all around the room. She could not stop herself from searching for Christopher. She needed to locate him instantly, so she could braceherself for their very first ‘meeting’. Unfortunately, she could not yet see him.
“The art pieces are quite fascinating,” Imogen said pointedly as she laced her arm through Clara’s. “More interesting than the patrons here.”
Clara knew that this was a warning. She had to take this more seriously, and to focus on the paintings. She had been very intrigued to see the beautiful paintings, but it was hard for her to pick up on any of the colors, never mind the paint strokes and the emotions depicted.
“What do you think of this piece?” Imogen asked pointedly, taking Clara over to one of the paintings. “I think this is a wonderful portrait. Does it give you inspiration for your own work? We must get back to the painting of me soon, I was enjoying it.”
“Yes, we must.” Clara ran her eyes over the painting, but was struggling to really see it.
“Oh, you are painting Lady Chambers?” Elliot piped up, reminding both the women that he was there. “I must see this. I have always been intrigued to see what your attempts at portraiture would look like. I am sure you are doing a wonderful job, especially because you have such a lovely subject to paint.”
Much as Clara wanted to reply to her cousin, she found herself speechless, almost in shock.
There he is.
Christopher had just entered the Royal Academy of Arts, looking incredibly distinguished as he did. She was bowled over by how handsome he was. He was even better looking that she remembered him to be, which was just mind blowing.
He seemed to sense her eyes upon him. Christopher turned to look at her, his eyes lighting up the moment he caught sight of Clara. It seemed like he enjoyed her sage elegant gown as well, which brought a heat to her cheeks.
Her pulse skipped. Her stomach fluttered under his smile. He looked nervous, just as she was, but genuinely pleased with her presence as well. She could not wait until they spoke and finally got this ruse running.
After doing the expected formal introductions, with Clara and Christopher acting like this was the first time that their paths had truly crossed, with Elliot leading the charge, it was time for everything to get started. It was time to finally play their roles properly.
“Lady Chambers, have you seen this piece over here?” Elliot interjected, already snapping into action and fulfilling his part. Ruth stood closer to Clara, none the wiser as to what was happening. “I think you will really like it.”
