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They walked to the door.

“I’m glad we have arranged the terms. Now, all that needs to be done is to convince people. I know you think this is low of me, but I am grateful to you.”

“Indeed, I do think it’s low, and I do not like the fact that I will have to lie to my parents. Please remember that I am doing this for the children and nothing else. If at any point you renege on the agreement, I shall expose this lie.”

“I am a man of my word, Clara,” he said. When he used her name it fizzed through her heart like a cannonball, and she wasn’t sure how he managed to cause this effect.

“Until next time, Your Grace,” she forced herself to say, for it felt as though there was a stone lodged in her chest.

“Until next time, Miss Sterling,” Gerald replied, inclining his head before he left. Clara closed the door and took a deep breath. This was even more trouble than she expected.

Chapter Five

The chaise pulled up outside the townhouse. Gerald cleared his throat and stepped off, approaching the doorway. A servant answered and quickly announced his arrival. Gerald strode into the house, summoning his courage. Despite what Clara thought, lying did not come easily to him, but he needed to make this courtship seem genuine from the very beginning.

Then… all of the fawning women of the ton would finally leave him alone and Eleanor would be free to dazzle the crowd.

“Miss Sterling, these are for you,” Gerald said as he entered the sitting room. Gerald then bowed to Alfred and Mary in turn. Although he was a Duke and thus outranked them, for Alfred was the younger brother of a Duke and Mary had been the widow of a nobleman before marrying Alfred, this was their home, and he was intending to court their daughter. A little respect went a long way. He handed Clara a small bouquet of white flowers. Clara looked genuinely surprised.

“I was not expecting these,” she said, flashing him a wary glance. They had agreed to exchange flowers every Monday, but that day had already passed.

“I hoped you would like the surprise. I saw them and thought of you. They are elegant and beautiful,” he said, hoping that he wasn’t being too overt. Clara thanked him and told a maid to fetch a vase.

“My, aren’t you thoughtful? It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. Clara has told us so much about you,” Mary said with a warm smile adorning her face. Gerald could see the resemblance between Clara and Mary immediately, although Clara was taller and more slender, traits he assumed came from her late father. Alfred’s gaze was so narrow he was almost squinting. He remained quiet for the time being.

“Clara told us that you met at St. Margaret’s,” Mary said.

“Yes, he came by on an unexpected visit,” Clara said, hinting at the fake story she had told her mother.

“Indeed, I have neglected it for too long. Unfortunately, there are many things that require my time and energy, and since I had not heard anything bad about St. Margaret’s, I assumed it was in good hands, and clearly it is. Clara is doing a fine job there. The children all seem to be happy and hale.”

“Oh, they are, they are indeed. She’s truly found her calling,” Mary said, beaming happily.

“I am glad,” Gerald said. “It was a special place to my great-grandmother.”

“As it is to Clara’s great-grandmother. It is so wonderful for you to have that in common. Please, let us have some tea and relax. There’s no need to remain standing all afternoon,” Mary chuckled and gestured for Gerald to follow them.

He took a seat on one side of the table, while Clara, Arthur, and Mary were sitting on the other. Tea was poured, and biscuits were served. Then, he heard a light patter of footsteps outside. A head poked in, grinning widely, and then the body followed.

“Beatrice. I thought you were meeting your friends,” Clara said thinly.

“I thought it would be best if the whole family were here,” Beatrice said, curtseying before Gerald. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. I’m Beatrice.”

“My younger sister,” Clara said.

Beatrice flashed a smile and flicked her hair as Mary shuffled up, making room for Beatrice. Clara lifted her gaze to the ceiling, while Mary leaned towards Beatrice and whispered into her ear. Gerald was caught between all of this motion, which meant that he overlooked the stoic man sitting between the women.

It was Alfred who spoke next.

“I hope you understand that we are extremely protective of Clara. She deserves a gentleman who courts her with honorable intentions, and her reputation is precious.”

“Of course.” Gerald bowed his head deeply, hoping to show his respect. “I will always treat her with the greatest respect. She struck me as quite an unusual young lady the first time we met, and the more I have learned about her, the more I can see that she is a person of integrity, selflessness, and compassion. That is a testament to both of you.”

“She certainly is different,” Beatrice said, sniggering.

“Beatrice!” Mary whispered.

“That is kind of you to say, and yes, we have tried our best. We are very proud of the woman that Clara has grown into, and we hope that only the best things in life find her.”