Free Jane Ashford by Man of Honour Page A

blushed a little.
    “You must think us quite countrified, gazing about like children,” she said.
    “On the contrary. Are you enjoying the spectacle?”
    “Oh yes. What a beautiful place this is.”
    “It is splendid,” added Clarissa. “This is just how I imagined London would be. I want to go all around the gardens.”
    Eliot laughed. “Well, if you are finished, we might stroll about a bit.”
    “Oh yes.” Clarissa was on her feet in a moment.
    “Would you care for it?” Eliot asked Laura. She nodded, and the four made their way down to the paths.
    Clarissa took Lord Trilling’s arm and walked on ahead, leaving Laura to stroll beside her husband. It was soon evident that the first couple was embarking on a very spirited light flirtation.
    Laura shook her head. “Clarissa is so excited by this trip to town.”
    “That is only natural, I think. She is very young and has had no taste of the diversions so common to most girls.”
    Laura agreed. “It is not that I am really concerned, you understand. Clarissa is sensible, and her principles are sound. I am only afraid that her high spirits may cause some misunderstanding or… oh I do not know. I have never acted as a chaperone before.” She sighed.
    He laughed. “I am sure all will be well. You are an exemplary guide.”
    Laura made a face. “How dreadfully dull that sounds. I feel much too young to be any such thing.”
    Eliot looked down at her. “You have, I think, an innate good breeding that outweighs those factors. I have no worries on that score.”
    This was clearly a compliment, but Laura found it unsatisfying. “Thank you,” she answered tonelessly. She watched Clarissa and Lord Anthony ahead of them. They were talking some nonsense about Mrs. Rundgate’s ball, and the gentleman evidently wished to secure her sister’s hand for the first dance. Laura felt a pang of envy as she looked on. Clarissa looked so carefree as she tossed her head coquettishly at the slender, dark young man’s importunities.
    “Tony and your sister seem to be enjoying themselves,” said Eliot, following her gaze. “I thought they would.” He smiled down at her. “He is extremely eligible.”
    “Oh I hope Clarissa won’t think of marrying for a while,” answered Laura. “Indeed I doubt she will.”
    Eliot merely nodded. The couple ahead had paused, and Laura and Eliot caught up with them as Tony was pointing out the beauties of one of the pavilions. He and Eliot exchanged some banter about his sudden unexpected interest in architecture, while Clarissa giggled and Laura smiled.
    During the evening, Clarissa and Tony flirted pleasantly with each other and Laura exchanged commonplaces with her husband. They met several of Eliot’s acquaintances, and he introduced her with some pride. But Laura found the outing less enjoyable than she had expected, and after two hours she was very ready to go home. She said nothing in the face of Clarissa’s obvious happiness and contrived to remain cheerful and smiling throughout the fireworks display and the dancing.
    But later that night, when she entered her bedchamber, she rubbed the back of her neck wearily. The time had seemed long to her, and the event not precisely boring, but unsatisfying. She felt as if something indefinable were missing.
    She heard a noise from Eliot’s bedroom and stood very still. It was not repeated. She thought again of their evening, of the way Clarissa had laughed and flirted, while she talked so calmly with Eliot. Was she to have only this? She knew nothing of what a marriage should be, having spent her girlhood with two spinsters, but she felt somehow that it should be more than this. She stood for a moment longer, then shrugged and began to undress.
    At that moment Mary burst into the room to help her and filled it with excited chatter. It appeared that the laundry had torn Laura’s blue cambric. Laura was able to put aside her worry in amusement as the girl went on and on about the vices of