Wish List Part 18

Perry said, "May I introduce my sister, Lady Clarissa Walingford, to you? This is her first trip to London this season."

"My lord." Clarissa curtsied modestly.

"Lady Clarissa," Stanson answered. "Your first London season? And how are you finding it? An amus.e.m.e.nt, one hopes."

"Oh, yes, I have been often amused," Clarissa said, smiling. Stanson spoke with a slight lisp. Really, she had never heard her name p.r.o.nounced soa delightfully in her life.

"How lovely," he answered. "And what sights have you seen thus far?"

He was not bad to look upon, though he had a mole near his nose and, of course, that lisp.

"Only the dressmakers thus far, my lord, and whatever amus.e.m.e.nts can be found within this room," she answered.

Perry grinned and took a quiet sip of his drink. Jane coughed and fussed with her shawl. Clarissa stood with complete composure, looking up at the Lord Stanson and all the amus.e.m.e.nts he offered her.

"She only came down last week," Perry offered into a silence that was stretching out uncomfortably. "I imagine that she'll be out more now that her wardrobe is set."

"Perry, a woman does not care to have her wardrobe deficits discussed in public," Clarissa said, "even if those deficits are now canceled. London has so much to offer, does it not, Lord Stanson?"

"Yes, the best shopping in all the world, I daresay. Have you tried Lackington's shop? The best bookseller in the city. He even carries the most popular novels, which are an especial favorite with my own sisters," Stanson said.

"Really?" Clarissa smiled too sweetly. "I shall stop there tomorrow."

"If you will excuse us, Lord Stanson?" Jane said, steering Clarissa away. "I see Lady Morland and must compliment her on the sweetness of her tarts."

"It is not her tarts that concern you," Clarissa said when they had left Stanson behind to resume his conversation with Perry.

"No, it is the tartness of your tongue. Were you going to tell him that you do not read novels?" Jane asked.

"Why would I be so rude when he was only trying to help me find proper London amus.e.m.e.nts?" Clarissa asked in return. "Really, Jane, you must think me a horrid child to have such fears concerning my deportment."

"Well," Jane huffed. "I do apologize. It is only that you do seem to be possessed of an uncertain temper tonight, when the evening is so lovely."

"Temper? I have no temper," Clarissa said somewhat stiffly.

"And the scar on Braden's hand did not come from the cup you threw at him?"

Clarissa lifted her chin in annoyance. "If all my childhood indiscretions are to be laid at my feet, I shall surely stumble. But do not all children fight?"

"Clarissa, it was but two years ago," Jane said dryly.

"And I was sorely provoked, if you will also recall," Clarissa defended.

Braden, home on leave from his regiment, had thrown her cat out of the window for making a bed for itself on his sleeping face. And she was the one accused of having a temper?

"Your pet was fine. She landed on her feet, as cats will do."

"I do not see how it pertains. It was most unreasonable of him to react so violently to a sleeping cat."

"Ah, f.a.n.n.y," Jane said, ending the budding argument, "what a lovely evening. You have made us all, each one, feel so very welcome."

"You are most kind, Jane," f.a.n.n.y replied with a genuine smile. Hostessing was so very trying, and one had to think of so many details. Another guest had caught her attention and she drifted over to smile with warmth and welcome.

Perry quietly joined the ladies of his house and whispered to Clarissa, "You're fortunate. Stanson did not realize that you mocked him."

"If he is as obtuse as all that, then I am fortunate in finding out so soon. I will not wed a dullard."

"You will not wed at all, if you follow your inclinations."

"But I am not following my inclinations. I am following the course of familial duty. And I will marry, Perry. You may rely upon it," Clarissa said firmly.

Perry smiled and bowed to her. "Rely upon it I will. How do you progress?"

"Not well," she said bluntly. "But it has been only an hour and I am not discouraged. I never buy the first hat I try, and I don't imagine shopping for a husband to be a matter of less consequence than a hat."

"Clarissa!" Jane remonstrated.

"Well spoken, Clarissa," Perry said, laughing.

"Excuse me," f.a.n.n.y said, rejoining them, "but I don't believe I've introduced Lord Montwyn to you."

Clarissa turned and faced the man whom she had observed speaking to Lindley earlier in the evening. He was more forbidding when seen at close quarters, and more handsome. He knew it, too, and such arrogance, such pride, was more tempting a target than she could bear to turn from.

He bowed. She curtsied. And she waited. Such a man would feel it his right to speak first. She would allow him that, for it was she who would have the last word.

"You are new to London, Lady Clarissa," he said.

"I am. Does it show?" she answered.

Perry snorted in amus.e.m.e.nt while Jane gathered breath to fuss and apologize.

"Actually, yes," he answered, his smile as light and bright as a rapier.

Looking up at him, at his dark brows and his deep green eyes, his very unrepentant eyes, Clarissa felt herself smile. Finally, a worthy adversary.

"Really," she responded. "Would it be terribly gauche of me to ask how I havea exposed myself?"

"If you will excuse me, Lord Montwyn, Clarissa," Jane said, "I will visit with Miss Walburn."

Montwyn bowed at her departure and then turned back to Clarissa and Perry.

"Let us not say 'exposed,' but rather 'revealed.'"

"Really, I cannot say I approve of this conversation," Perry interrupted.

"I'm certain that Lord Montwyn would not 'expose' me to any conversation not within the bounds of correct London etiquette. Would you?" she said.

"The bounds of etiquette shall be observed, naturally. I would do nothing to damage your reputation, Lady Clarissa."

"My brother will be relieved to hear it," she said.

"But not you?" Montwyn asked.

"I guard my own reputation, Lord Montwyn."

"And she does a fine job of it, too," Perry added.

"But this is London, Lady Clarissa," Montwyn said, his eyes twinkling, "and you are inexperienced."

"Rather say I am new to London, sir. I am not inexperienced."

"No?" He smiled. "But that is how I knew you were new to town. Your naivete lights you like a candle."

Clarissa took a breath and felt herself grow still at the raw sting of his insult. This man was different, and it was not London that made him so. His pride lit him like a bonfire, and while the light drew the eye, the heat of him was oppressive.

"I am certain you are mistaken. My education has been most complete."

"Yet how else to explain my knowing that you were new to town?"

"Perhaps"a"she smileda""because you visit every house that will open its door to you. You were invited to Lord and Lady Morland's tonight, were you not? I am certain that Lady Morland is too refined to have anyone thrown out. She is a most welcoming hostess."

"Well done, Clarissa," Perry chimed. "Not many can stand against my sister in verbal warfare, Lord Montwyn. I commend you for your bravery."

"Is that what this is?" Montwyn asked calmly, studying her boldly.

Most aggressive, even for an Englishman. Not appealing at all, buta compelling. A most disturbing thoughta"she would not tolerate it or him.

"Hardly," Clarissa said, affecting boredom with Lord Montwyn and his superiority. "I am looking for a husband tonight. Tomorrow I shall shop for books and a new pair of boots."

"A shopping trip to London," Montwyn summarized.

"Precisely," Clarissa said, looking him in the eye, communicating her disdain.

"Really, Clarissa," Perry sputtered. "I apologize, Lord Montwyn, for my sister'sa""

"Unnecessary," Montwyn cut in. "I am here for the same reason. I need a wife."

He looked down at her while he said it, and she felt the weight of his words and his intent hit her like a stone. He was not put off. He should have been. He was not the sort of man she was looking for, though her eyes continued to look.

Masculine power emanated from him with every breath, confusing her purpose. She searched for an acceptable husbanda"Montwyn commanded a response from her heart that was completely unacceptable.

"Then you'd best circulate and find one," Clarissa said sharply.

"I am not an impulsive shopper. I like to take my time over my selections," Montwyn said, holding her eyes.

"How odd," Clarissa spat. "I can tell at a glance if a smock or even the merest bit of embroidered linen will suit. I know my own tastes and inclinations. Good evening, sir," she said, and turned to go, her arm resting on Perry's. Call it not a rout, but a wise retreat; she had to put distance between herself and Montwyn.

"But I am shopping for more than fripperies," Montwyn said to her retreating back. "Or would you disagree?"

Clarissa turned and said over her shoulder, "Only you can know your own intent."

"I would share it with a willing ear," Montwyn said with a smile.

"Again I say circulate, sir, to find what you seek."

Beau, Lord Montwyn, watched her walk away, her bearing regal, her head proud and high, the long line of her torso as graceful as a sapling in the wood.

"No need, miss," he said softly to himself, "for I've found what I came to London to find."

Chapter Two.

It was a complete waste of time," Clarissa said to Albert the next morning while helping herself to a cup of tea and a scone.

Albert sat up straighter in his chair and tugged at his waistcoat. "Kindly explain yourself, Clarissa. Do you mean to tell me that Lord and Lady Morland invited only women to their party last night?"

"They may as well have," Clarissa said over her cup, "if what I saw last night represents the best England has to offer. I will not marry either a runt or a sweaty, odorous beast to fulfill my family obligation, and if you were a loving brother you would not ask it of me."

"Since Henry Wakefield, Lord of Montwyn, is neither a runt nor odorous," Perry said, coming into the room, "I would hazard that you have not made mention of your meeting with him."

"No, I have not. Let me add him to the list: he is a boor."

"You seemed to be enjoying your conversation with him last night," Perry said. "At least, I was. Most entertaining."

Most entertaining, indeed. At first, yes, she had thought so, but then his countenance had seemed to her to be so proud, so overbearing. Such a man, no matter his fine form, would not do. He was a bear of a man who would crush her for his own amus.e.m.e.nt; or perhaps it was better said that he would try to, for she would not be cowed so easily by mere rudeness, no matter the level of his offenses. Or attraction. He had been attracted to her, that much was obvious, and perhaps she could even find something admirable in his boldness. She had not frightened him; he had made that plain enough. But he was not the sort of man she had in mind, and it was her mind that would decide her future, not a pair of s.h.i.+ning green eyes.

"You at least were entertained," she said to Perry. "I was not. He will not do."

"How is it that an earl will not do?" Albert asked, rising from his chair.

"Oh, he would do," Perry chuckled, "if Clarissa had not prodded him unmercifully. She baited the man and then ran from him when he growled back."

"I did not run. He did not growl," she snapped.

"Good heavens, Clarissa, do not tell me that you have made a spectacle of yourself in London society," Albert said sternly. "You will not take that way out of your proper duty to marry and marry well. A union with Montwyn would be most advantageous to this family."

"And would it be advantageous to me, Albert?" she asked. "Besides, we would not suit. His temper is uncertain."