Page 134 of Trade of a Lifetime (Trade Wind 1)

Tears shot from the corners of her eyes, and she dashed them away. “Do you truly believe that I could only be with someone undeserving? That no one of quality could love me as I am? Be proud of me as you are?”

David cradled his skull is his hands. “Did I drink so much that I’m asleep and having a nightmare? I say, Clara, I don’t wish to fight. And addled by drink as I am, it’s hardly sporting.”

“This isn’t sport, David. It’s my life. I’m trying to tell you that I know my own mind. And I’ve decided. You may not have the courage to risk your heart, but I have!”

David huffed indignantly. “I’vedecided. I have my limits, Clara, and I won’t repeat our parents’ mistakes of indulgence to a harmful degree. I shan’t encourage this recklessness! People don’t marry people like us. The notion that you can have the LLSanda proper husband—it’s fantasy.”

“Who’s a proper husband?” she asked brokenly.

He rubbed his eyes tiredly. “We’ve spoken of this already. Lord Chavet? I see from your face you won’t even consider him.”

Clara moved closer to David, trying to see past her hurt and anger. “What if I already know who he is? Someone who knows exactly what I am and loves me anyway? Loves mefor it?”

David’s handsome face scrunched unpleasantly. “Who?”

Heart pounding, Clara forced herself to speak, whatever the cost. “James Robertson.”

The name filled the carriage as the conveyance rolled to a stop.

This truly was the end of her journey tonight, she realized; she would know soon what was in the depth of her brother’s heart.

David’s eyes flared before his body went rigid and he turned away from her. “You’ve gone too far by invokinghisname, even in jest! Heavens above, Clara, do youwishfor me to expire prematurely, sliding onto the floor of this carriage, clutching my chest and choking on my last breath?”

After a sound of disgust, he turned to her, his hand on his forehead. “I’ve always applauded your skill in defusing difficulty with repartee, but you missed the mark tonight. Really! The cruelty of even suggesting such a betrayal!”

“Betrayal?”

“Do promise me, sister. Next time jest about something less shocking, why don’t you? Like plunging Father’s bejeweled letter opener directly into my heart!”

Clara pressed her hands to her flaming cheeks and closed her eyes. A sob bubbled from her throat.

“Behold the suffering caused by even thediscussionof marriage, Clara! Adrian islivingit. I’ve said it before, and it bears repeating. There’s such suffering in a poor match. And one where there’slove?” He clucked his tongue. “I shouldn’t wish that on you. The suffering is greater. It’s a curse.”

“Oh, David,” she said through tears she no longer controlled. “A curse? Do you truly believe that?”

“I know it. And here we are, arrived. The matter is closed.”

“It’snot.I—”

“Cease this displaynow, Clara. Your comportment!”

Clara’s eyes widened. Rage cleared any remaining traces of circumspection.

A footman was outside the carriage this moment, in earshot, as he extended the retractable steps.

It mattered not.

Breathing hard, she spoke slowly and quietly, her voice solemn even as it shook. “David Chadbourne, Earl of Anterleigh, I curse you.”

David blinked. “What?”

“I curse you. With these words, your fate is decided. You shall knowlove,David.Risky, agonizing love.”

He opened his mouth as if to respond, but whether his mind went blank or her intent look stopped him, he closed his mouth.

“Love so blinding, you won’t care on which page her father is listed inBurke's Peerage—if he’s even in it! Love that addles until you’d walk through fire to find her. Love so beguiling that you’re willing to give up everything else you hold dear.”

As she’d spoken, David recoiled bit by bit until he was all but plastered against his side of the carriage.

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