Page 83 of Her Lion of a Duke
In the end, Clara gave her an apple and buttered toast, and Cecilia picked at them until her hunger kicked in and she ate quickly.
The first caller soon arrived, a handsome gentleman named Lord Thompson. He took a seat beside Clara, and the two of them had a conversation while Cecilia was dragged to the opposite side of the room by her aunt.
“What do you think of him?” Aunt Margaret asked.
“Of Lord Thompson?” Cecilia murmured, so as not to be overheard. “He is a perfectly fine gentleman. I have never had any qualms with him.”
“He is not one of those who tried to speak to you, then?”
Cecilia thought back on her time among the ton, and she could not recall a single instance where Lord Thompson had shown any interest in her. He was a young man, the sort to try his luck, but he had only ever been cordial with her. Which, given her reputation, was for the best.
She shook her head, and her aunt smiled.
“Good. I would not like Clara to accept the suit of a man who was willing to speak with just anyone. I do worry about his age, though. Can a man be a good husband at only twenty?”
“As good a husband as a lady can be a good wife at such an age.”
“I suppose, but do you not think that Clara deserves a man who is more… mature? She has always been less girlish than her peers, and I would hate for her husband not to be the same way.”
“That might not be too terrible of an idea. Who did you have in mind?”
“Nobody, not as yet, but it is a huge concern for me. I know it is easy for you to think of love and nothing else, but as her mother, I must consider everything. She must be taken care of, first and foremost, and an earl is not quite what I had in mind.”
“An earl is perfectly acceptable,” Cecilia reasoned, lowering her voice further. “I know that he is no duke, but from what I recall, the Thompsons are a very wealthy family, and they are well-connected. If this is what Clara wants, then I would say that he is an excellent choice.”
Aunt Margaret nodded, and soon Lord Thompson left the room, to be replaced by another gentleman, and then another.
Cecilia knew that her cousin had not been exaggerating, but it was a surprise all the same to see so many men court her.
Her marriage to Leonard had undoubtedly improved Clara’s prospects, and she was pleased with that. At least some good had come of it.
When the last suitor left, Clara looked quite breathless. Cecilia and her aunt smiled at her with pride and joined her on the settee.
“Is it like this every morning?” Cecilia asked.
“Each and every,” Clara replied softly. “What did you both think of them?”
“It does not matter what we think,” Cecilia said. “I trust that you will make the right choice, and I will be thrilled regardless.”
“I am of a different opinion, of course.” Aunt Margaret chuckled. “Thus far, I have not seen anyone worthy of you, Clara. I am willing to be convinced otherwise, but you know how difficult that will be.”
“Pardon me, My Lady,” the butler said, reentering the room. “There is another gentleman here to see Lady Clara.”
“Oh! Very well, send him in.”
All three ladies rose to their feet, prepared to curtsy. But when the gentleman in question entered, Cecilia froze. Aunt Margaret nudged her, but she could not bring herself to stoop down beforehim.
She would never have expected Lord Renshaw to take an interest in her cousin.
She knew that the visit would not last very long.
“Good morning, ladies,” he greeted, looking past her.
“Good morning, Lord Renshaw,” Aunt Margaret returned. “My, what a surprise to see you!”
“It has been too long.”
Cecilia’s stomach lurched. Lord Renshaw was the same age as her aunt, and yet here he was, seeking to woo Clara. She thought back to their conversation, and it made her feel unwell.
