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Chapter Five

“Lady Sarah…….you are even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.   I’m so glad that Clarissa invited you along with us” said Stephen.

“Stephen…..always the charmer, I see that some things never change.   Thank you for escorting me to the ball.  I think that Clarissa may be right and I need to get out a bit more into society.   Staying the last two years out at the estate has been tiring.   The children and I needed a change of scenery” replied Sarah.

“ I must come over and see the children one day, Clarissa has told me that the boys have grown and that Elizabeth is even more beautiful than ever.   I want to see them with my own eyes.”

“Lord Stephen, Fifth Earl of Bath”

“Lady Clarissa Remmington”

“Dowager Countess of Glouster, Lady Sarah Witherton”

Descending the stairs into the ballroom, Clarissa whispered in Stephen’s ears…….”Must they always announce the guests?   Now I feel as though I’m on display”.

Chuckling, Stephen whispered back……”Well Clarissa, you wanted to find a husband, from the looks of all the men staring at you, I can see that I’m going to have to keep my eye on you all evening”.

Scanning the crowd and seeing his two friends, Stephen descended the stairs and motioned his way over to Lord Royce and Lord Jonathon.

“Gentlemen, I know that you know my ward, Lady Clarissa, but I would like for you to meet Lady Sarah.   She is Clarissa’s sister-in-law, Lord Mark’s widow”.

“A pleasure to meet you gentlemen” Sarah replied and going down into a curtsey.

“Where is Langley?”  Stephen asked looking around.

“I believe he’s running a bit late, I received a note from him this afternoon to go on ahead without him” replied Royce.   “Not sure what has held him up”.

“Lady Sarah…..would you care to dance” asked Jonathon.

“Thank you, I would love to” replied Sarah blushing.

“Lady Clarissa, would you care to dance” asked Royce.

“Why thank you, I would love to Royce” replied Clarissa.    “Stephen, will you be fine here all on your own” Clarissa said grinning to Stephen.    

“Run along Clarissa….enjoy yourself”.

“His Grace, Lord Lucas, Sixth Duke of Langley”

Finding one of his friends, Lucas made his way over to Stephen.    “So…..where are Royce and Jonathon?” Lucas asked looking around.      Stephen pointed towards the dancing and Lucas nodded his reply when spotting both of them.

“Who is Jonathon dancing with?   She is pretty woman, but I do not recognize her” asked Lucas.

“Jonathon is dancing with Lady Sarah, Mark’s widow.     Lady Clarissa convinced her to come out with us this evening.   I’m glad that she did, she is still young, she and Clarissa spent the last two years in mourning and could use some time out in society”.

Spotting Lady Clarissa as Royce spun her around, his breath caught in his throat.  God she was beautiful.    She was wearing an emerald green gown of silk.     Her hair in loose curls cascading down her back, Lucas wanted to run his fingers through her hair.   A pang of jealously swept over him, he wanted to be the one that she was smiling up to, he wanted to be the one holding her in his arms.    He was definitely going to be claiming her next dance.

Lucas watched as Royce led her off the dance floor and started to make their way towards them.    He only had eyes for her.    He waited until she lifted her head and he made eye contact with her.   Staring at her with his roguish smirk, he held their gaze until she was not even two feet in front of him.

Lucas made his acquaintance with Lady Sarah and then turned all of his attention back to Lady Clarissa.

“Lady Clarissa, you are even more stunning then I remember.    May I have this dance?” asked Lucas.

Blushing at his comment, Clarissa held her hand out to Lucas and gracefully accepted his hand.

“Your Grace, it is a pleasure to see you this evening”  Clarissa said making small talk with Lucas.  Butterflies were in her tummy, same as when she met him for the first time.   He was so handsome, and she was dancing with him.

“The pleasure is all mine Lady Clarissa” replied Lucas.    Holding her in his arms, she felt familiar to him, like she belonged there.   Even her scent, it was familiar to him as well.   It was so faint though, so he could not quite put his finger on it.

Lucas spent the rest of the evening watching Lady Clarissa dance with other men.   He knew the protocol of society, he could have two dances with her, and only two, any more would ruin her reputation and everyone would think that she was his mistress.   Stephen would have a fit.    I still have one more dance with her, I’m just waiting for the perfect time to claim her once again.

He never felt this way about a woman before.   Something about her made him want to change his roguish ways.   Perhaps he would ask Stephen to court her.    He never felt jealousy before as he did this evening.  Watching her dancing with other men, all he did was clench his hands into fists and make sure that no one touched her inappropriately.

He felt a presence behind him and notice Royce looking at him.     “You should really stop staring at her Lucas, people will begin to talk.    In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you act the way you are towards a woman before.    You may not think that I, or Jonathon haven’t noticed you watching her, but we have.   Are you staking your claim?”

“ I don’t know Royce, but there is something about her that intrigues me.   I’m going to ask Stephen if I can court her”.

“Are you serious Lucas?   Court her?   You’ve never courted a woman before in your life.   I commend you then my friend, maybe Lady Clarissa will help you in your roguish ways.”   Patting him on the back and chuckling, Royce just wished Lucas luck with Stephen.    “You may not have any problems with Lady Clarissa accepting you courting her, she’s been watching you, as much as you’ve been watching her.  It’s Stephen that you are going to have to convince and good luck with that”.

“Excuse me Royce, the waltz that I’ve been waiting for all evening has come on and I’m about to claim my second dance” Lucas said grinning from ear to ear.

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