Chapter Fourteen

His morning ride was invigorating, Lucas felt alive and knew that where Lady Clarissa was concerned, he was making the right decision.   Even one of his closest friends, Lord Royce, convinced him that he was not making a mistake by wanting to marry for love.

Entering his study, Lucas was just taking off his overcoat when a footman arrived with a note for him.

“Sir, this arrived a while ago, the messenger said that he need not wait for a reply,” said the footman.

“Thank you Clarence,” Lucas replied.    Opening the note, he found it was from Annie, Clarissa’s lady’s maid saying that Clarissa was ill and would not be able to attend the dinner party this evening.

“Clarence, I need to go out again, please have my stallion saddled for me, my mare is still worn out from this morning’s ride.   I’ll be ready to leave in 20 minutes,” Lucas demanded.

“Yes, Sir,” replied Clarence.

Arriving at Clarissa’s home, Lucas was nervous, mostly upset to find out that Clarissa was ill.

Going down in a curtsey, “Your Grace, did you not get my note?” asked Annie.

“I did, thank you for that, I wanted to come and see Clarissa for myself.   Does she need a physician Annie?  What is ails her?” asked Lucas with some tenderness in his voice.

“Your Grace, Clarissa fainted again this morning.   Luckily she was not hurt and I was able to catch her before she fell completely, “ explained Annie.   “If I may speak freely Your Grace, but Clarissa is worn out.   I’m not sure what is wrong with her.  She so very tired, she eats little because of stomach upset.   She is very restless when she sleeps at night, I can hear her because my room is next to hers.”

“Thank you for telling me this Annie, anytime you want to speak freely to me about Clarissa, please do.   I appreciate your concern for your mistress.  Does she know that you sent me a note?” asked Lucas.

“No, she does not Your Grace.   I told her that I would send you a note, but she refused, hoping that she would feel better after waking up from a nap,” Annie responded.  “That is where she is now, resting in her bed camber.  Excuse my boldness in sending you a note for her anyway.  I know you care about her, I felt you should know that she has been ill.”

“Can you take me to see her now Annie?” asked Lucas.

Stepping into her room, Lucas could tell from her deep breathing that Clarissa was deep in slumber.   She was still in her nightdress, with only one candle burning on her side table.   Pulling up a chair beside her and grasping one of her hands, she felt chilled.

“Annie, please bring another blanket for Clarissa, her hand is very chilled.   I will stoke the fire and get is burning higher.   Please, can you also bring me some tea, I would appreciate it.” Lucas spoke softly not to wake his sleeping beauty.

After bringing His Grace what he asked for, bobbing a curtsey to him, Annie left Lucas alone with Clarissa.    Honor demanded that she stay in the same room as a chaperone, only because they were in a bed chamber, but Annie knew that His Grace was an honorable man.   She also knew that the servants would not talk they were all very loyal to Lady Clarissa.

Taking her hand into his and kneeling beside the bed, Lucas took Clarissa’s hand and cupped it to the side of his face.    “My love…..what ails you?” Lucas whispered knowing that she could not hear him.   Kissing the palm of her hand now, he entwined their fingers.   Using his free hand, he brushed a curl resting on her cheek to behind her ear.    Bending down lower, the scent of vanilla encased him, he kissed her forehead.

She wasn’t warn, which was a good sign that she did not have a fever.   But what was wrong with her?  Over the past couple of months, she’s been ill many times.   Perhaps after they marry, he will take her out of London to his country home where the air was fresher.  She would be able to relax more there and they could enjoy each other without the protocols of the London life.

Knowing what he was doing was wrong, after removing his boots and coat, Lucas slid into Clarissa’s bed.    Holding her close was what he wanted to do now, just wanting to keep her safe.   Slipping his arm around her tiny waist and tucking her head underneath his chin, there wasn’t anywhere he would rather be.   He heard her sigh and mumble something in her sleep, but she still did not wake up.

An hour must have past and Clarissa still slept on.    Lucas noticed that Annie had come in to stoke the fire and add more wood to keep the room warm.   Lucas nodded his thanks to her while she quietly crept from the room.

She started to stir a while later, not fully waking though, turning in her sleep and nuzzling Lucas’s neck.    “Mmmm…..Lucas,” she murmured clutching his shirt.

“Aye my Love,” Lucas whispered back kissing her forehead.

Placing a kiss on his throat, “I love you,” whispered Clarissa still half-asleep.

“I love you more,” Lucas said softly into her hair.

Lucas awoke a while later fully aroused with Clarissa nibbling on his ear and grasping the curls at the back of his neck.     She was tenderly biting and licking him, kissing and teasing him until reaching his mouth.

She was a woman on a mission and her mission was surely to drive him crazy.    He was burning for her now, she was rubbing her soft sensual body onto his, her breasts were rubbing against his shirt, her nipples in tight peaks.

Taking charge, Lucas plundered her mouth while cupping her bottom and fully pressing her onto his arousal.   She immediately started grinding on him and he knew that he was getting close to losing control.

He needed to stop, he needed to calm himself down or else he would take her then and now.   Pulling out of kiss and hearing her whimper…….”Love, are you feeling better?” he softly asked her.

“No………..Lucas I’m burning for you, make love to me please!” Clarissa asked him desperately.

“No Love, I want you too, but I want to wait until after we are married to make love.  Please, look at me and say you’ll understand,” Lucas asked her with hope in his eyes.

“Married?” Clarissa whispered.    “You want to marry me?”

“Of course I do!  This is not exactly how I envisioned asking you though, so perhaps consider this an informal betrothal,” Lucas said to her with a grin.

Throwing her arms around his neck………”I love you so much Lucas,” Clarissa giggled snuggling up to him.

After lecturing Clarissa about eating properly and needing to sleep more, Lucas and Clarissa enjoyed a late supper at her home just the two of them.    They sent a note off to their hosts, letting them know that something had come up and that they were not able to attend.  Lucas could tell that Clarissa was still tired from the shadow of purple under her eyes.   She needed to rest London society could do without them for awhile.

After saying goodbye to Clarissa, Lucas summoned Annie.    “Annie, please keep me informed if Clarissa is ill again.  I thank you again for letting me know this morning.    If you could please think over the past little while what has been causing Clarissa to faint or become ill, please inform me.  I have my own personal physician that I can confer with.”

“I will Your Grace,” Annie responded bobbing another curtsey to him.

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So..what do you think ails Lady Clarissa??  HUH????    Hmmmmm.....stay tuned!!!!

Pease VOTE and COMMENT!!!!!    S xo