Page 22 of A Lady's Propitious Match
This gave Clara a moment alone, for Christopher to walk up to her and to start speaking with her. Her heart was racing as she sensed him edging up beside her.
“I have always admired the works of Benjamin West,” Christopher murmured beside her. “But this, the Portrait of Lady Beauchamp, is quite something.”
“Y… yes,” Clara just about managed to stammer back, finally managing to see the portrait a little clearer now. “I love the way he has captured her hair, and the flowers she is holding have so vivid colours.”
“I am sure we will see much more from him.”
Clara could not even begin to meet Ruth’s eyes because she was not sure what her chaperone would think about this ‘chance encounter’.
“I have heard that there are some portraits by another talented painter a little further into the exhibition, if that is something you are interested in.”
Clara’s whole body was pounding. She was not quite sure how to disguise her feelings. With a bit of luck, everyone else was far more interested in the paintings than her.
“I would love to,” she replied shyly, before following Christopher down the vaulted halls where there were plenty of beautiful works on display. But none of them as captivating as him.
It was only when they found themselves alone, standing in front of a painting that no one else was showing any interest in, that Clara found the bravery to ask what was really on her mind. “Mr. Fitzhugh, are you sure about this? About what Elliot has suggested.”
She needed to hear it from his mouth, so she could finally properly accept what he was telling her. She had to know that they were both in this together. Fully.
Christopher turned to face her with sincerity blooming in his eyes. “Yes, I am. Very sure.”
“It is risky, I know that…”
“Yes,” Christopher agreed. “But beneficial for the both of us.”
Clara nodded, a little more confident now that she was not about to be betrayed. She did not want to step into this, just to be exposed. But since it was going to benefit Christopher as much as it would her, she could not see any reason to worry.
A flush burned in her cheeks. His steadfast attention was almost overwhelming. Much as she loved the way that he was looking at her, it was also a little much. She was not sure that she could stomach it without making a fool of herself. She forced her eyes to drag away from him before she sank a little deeper into her feelings and became so weak at the knees that she could not hold herself upright any longer.
“We should review mutual expectations around being seen together more at respectable social occasions to convincingly intimate deepening affection,” she said, because Clara was quite keen to use this time to hash out all the details while they could. Ruth was still around, but keeping a respectable distance now. “Do you think? There are a lot of upcoming events this Season, which we should take advantage of.”
“Yes, of course. But maybe we can not have that long of a conversation here.” Christopher darted his eyes around the room. “We must not be overheard. I will do some research and let you know what I think we should do. And please, do the same. If you think of anything, let me know. If there is anything you would particularly like to do.”
“Thank you very much for taking me into consideration. I will think about it.”
Clara allowed her eyes to drink in the painting in front of her. The vibrant landscape of undulating hills, which was captivating ina truly unique way. The painting made her heart race, and her breaths fall out sharp and ragged.
Or perhaps that was the man standing beside her.
Christopher’s fingers seemed to automatically drift towards Clara’s, like there was a powerful magnet between them. The accidental graze of his fingers against her gloves sent her in to a flurry. The wave of nerves awakened within her, and she did not know what to do with herself.
This is a calculated arrangement, she reminded herself as she became flustered. Nothing more. Even if it feels like something more, it is not.
Just because she was undeniably attracted to him, did not mean a thing. Those were feelings that she needed to keep locked away deep inside. She could not recklessly endanger her prospects out of a youthful girlish fancy stirred by wandered touches or captivating eyes.
Even if Christopher was the most handsome man that she had ever laid eyes on. Even if he stirred up emotions within her that she was not expecting. Even if he was the first man that she had ever wanted to kiss in her entire life.
Clara was quite sure that she could feel Christopher’s inquisitive eyes upon her. He wanted her to look his way, but she could not do it. She could not handle it. She knew she would melt in to a puddle if she did and that was not the right way to start this courtship.
Especially with all eyes of the ton upon them.
Today had to be absolutely perfect.
