To Tame the Lyon by Sky Purington

Author:Sky Purington [Purington, Sky]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-03-23T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

By the time everyone made it home later that evening, Clara was happier than she had been in ages. Though Isaac hadn’t joined in the dancing, he seemed in better spirits overall.

“Do not wake her,” Isaac said when they arrived at his estate. Mabel had dozed off almost the moment they got in the carriage, her head resting against his shoulder. “I will carry her up to bed.”

The gesture both touched and surprised her. But then it seemed he was full of surprises tonight. She was relieved, and even a bit saddened to hear he had not been willing to let her go so easily all those years ago. That he’d cared enough, however pointless his venture likely would have been. How might that conversation have gone when he came calling? What would he have said? Would he have asked for her hand right then and there? For she swore, he had meant to twice before that.

She had so many questions—things she needed to understand.

“You will be joining us for supper, I hope?” Blake asked Clara. He had Maude on one arm but offered her his other. “Lord Durham’s cook always provides a tasty fare at this hour.”

“But of course.” She took his arm, and they headed up the stairs. “What a truly lovely night it has been thus far.”

“I could not agree more.” Maude noted Isaac vanishing inside with Mabel. “A lovely evening all the way around.”

“Indeed.” Blake eyed the same. “I would not be surprised to see Lord Durham more after tonight.”

“I do hope so.” Maude cocked her head. “What of this eve? Do you think he will rejoin us?”

“I think it’s highly likely.”

Clara could only pray. She wanted to talk. Sift through things. See if there was hope for them. They had misunderstood how things ended years ago. Or better put, didn’t realize how much the other still cared.

Which begged the question, were those feelings still there?

Perhaps she should just tell him how accurate the fortune teller had been. What harm could it do? A great deal, she realized, considering she would be laying her heart bare.

It turned out Blake was right, and Isaac did return downstairs, reporting all was well with Mabel. Music floated in from the adjoining room as they enjoyed a light fare of cold meats and cheeses served with bread and rolls. Sweets and chilled champagne followed.

“That was, as always, delightful, Durham,” Blake declared when they finished. His gaze swept over the lot of them. “The night is still young. Might we get in some whist and dancing?”

Maude smiled. “I would like nothing more, Lord MacLauchlin.”

Despite her status, Maude had become a permanent fixture at meals, spending a noticeable amount of time with Blake when not caring for Mabel.

Clara was surprised when Isaac continued on with the three of them. More shocked still when they made their way into the piano room. Though not nearly as large as the ballroom, it had an area for dancing and a rather nice card table.

She couldn’t help but wonder if they were there on purpose.

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