Never a Lady by Anna Aysgarth

Author:Anna Aysgarth [Aysgarth, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Melange Books, LLC

Chapter 26

Charlie did not leave until Clara was able to assure him that she could quite manage herself in a private box without issue. She was sure no one would bother to look her way, let alone come call on her in the duke’s box, after all, so few people had any idea of who she was.

Once alone, she peered over the side, entranced by the sight of bobbing feathers and glittering jewels as men and women greeted each other across the auditorium. The hubbub of chatter rose and fell, punctuated by the occasional peal of laughter. She did not hear the quiet click of the door and almost dropped her fan as a pair of hands came round her face and covered her eyes. “Guess who,” a voice whispered hoarsely, close to her ear.

“Charlie,” she giggled. “That is not how a gentleman is supposed to behave.”

Within seconds, she was hauled out of her seat and slammed against the rear wall. “Forget Charlie Hampton,” Taylor Rufford hissed as he pressed his body close to hers. “He is a nobody, an upstart. You, my beauty, should not waste your time consorting with the likes of him.”

“Sir Rufford,” she stammered, “please let me go.”

“I will, my dear. Of course I will, once you have consented to marry me.”

“What?” Clara’s eyes were wide, “I barely know you, sir.”

He shook his head. “It is of no consequence for you will get to know me when we are wed.”

“I don’t understand, sir,” she continued, desperately hoping the duke or Charlie would appear. “We have met a handful of times, less than a handful, why on earth would you even contemplate marrying me?”

“You are the ward of a duke and although not, I believe, an heiress, you come with a reasonable dowry. Believe me my dear, you will not get a better offer. I am prepared to take you on, but I doubt any other man of quality would.” He stepped back but kept a firm hold on her shoulders.

“His Grace…” she began.

His lips thinned. “If you are thinking that the duke would allow his only heir to marry you, you are more stupid than I thought. He does not need your dowry. He will not marry you—bed you, yes of course, and probably already has—but he will set his sights much higher. He needs, in short, to marry a woman of breeding.”

“Given your apparent distaste for me, I wonder that you are prepared to demean yourself and align yourself with one so low,” she shot back. The shock had gone and was replaced by anger.

“You are the ward of a duke and come with a sizeable dowry which are your two best assets. Though,” he paused, twisting a curl around his fingers and pulling her towards him, rubbing his body against hers in a lascivious manner. “I find I am far from repulsed at the thought of bedding you.” His voice lowered. “I shall enjoy teaching you how to please me between the sheets. I can teach you far more than Hampton can, and erase whatever he has shown you.

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