Fated Folly by Elizabeth Bailey

Author:Elizabeth Bailey
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: historical romance, regency romance, clean romance, romance novel, sweet romance, traditional romance, sweet reads
Publisher: Elizabeth Bailey
Published: 2013-10-31T04:00:00+00:00

Clare paced the terrace, ignoring the slight chill in the air and the overcast sky that threatened to empty its contents all over her muslin gown. The thin shawl afforded little protection, but she did not notice, for the atmosphere around her seemed all of a piece with the desolation in her breast.

Pippa and Justin were gone to say their farewells at the Grange, for they were leaving for London after luncheon on the first stage of their journey to Kent. Rupert was shut up in his library, as he had been these past two days, appearing only at mealtimes and to accompany the party to Sunday service. And there was no need to play hostess for Berinthia Flimwell, who was in any event busy with some household accounts in the drawing-room.

Seizing the chance to escape, to drop for a short time the appearance of normality, the act that took such a toll of her nerves, Clare went outside to brood in solitude.

There were no tears left. Even that solace was denied her. They had been shed silently into her pillow as she stifled her sobs for fear they might penetrate into Rupert’s bedchamber next door. She wished she had been able to give full vent to her tearing emotions. She had wanted to storm and rage against that anonymous “B” who had sole access to Rupert’s heart. For if he had really cared, if he had loved Clare, he could not have found it in him so callously to toss her aside.

She halted for a moment, drawing a shuddering breath. No, that was unfair. He had not meant to hurt her. He did have an affection for her. But it was the kind of feeling one had for a child—which was how he thought of her. Had he not laid just that imputation to her own feelings? Greensickness! A child’s feelings were how he thought of them. Anger surged up in her suddenly. What right had he to judge of her emotions? Was he able to see into her heart?

Fresh pain gnawed at her. No, he was blind to her heart because he was in love with someone else. And she was by no means convinced that the someone was not Blanche Dearham, even after Rupert’s emphatic denial.

‘Cousin Clare!’

The shout came from the driveway. Clare turned to see Ashendon and Christian approaching down the steps. Must they come now?

The two young men were already moving across the terrace towards her. She tried to pull on her hostess’ face, summoning a smile. But it was a long way up from the depths into which she had allowed herself to sink, and she was afraid the traces might still be visible.

‘What are you two doing here?’ she asked with an assumption of cheerfulness. ‘You will have missed Pippa and Justin.’

‘Not at all,’ said Ashendon, looking at her rather hard. ‘We drove them back because of this threatening rain. They have gone up to see all is packed and ready.’

‘Is it that late?’ Clare asked, startled.

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