Sweet Awakening by Marjorie Farrell Read Free Book Online Page B

and his wife were out, he was informed. He had himself announced to Clare, for after all, both families had been planning the match for years. He was sure that Lord Howland would forgive him.
    Giles was shown into the morning room where he found Clare paging through La Belle Assemblee. She colored when Giles was announced and unable to sit still, rose to meet him.
    “Good morning, Giles,” she said in a low voice.
    “Good morning, Clare.” Giles was more nervous than he thought he would be and found himself fingering the jeweler’s box that he had thrust into his coat pocket. “It is a lovely day today. I was hoping to convince you to drive with me this afternoon?”
    Clare looked up and then down again in confusion. “Thank you, Giles. I am committed elsewhere this afternoon, but I am glad you called, for I have something I wish to speak with you about.”
    Clare finally perched herself on the edge of a chair, and Giles was able to sit down.
    “I did not come only to ask you for your company this afternoon, Clare.”
    Clare could not look him in the face. His tone was serious. Surely he could not have been planning to offer for her today of all days. The day she must tell him of her betrothal to Rainsborough.
    “We have been friends for a long time, Clare.”
    “Yes, Giles.” Oh, God, he was.
    “You know I have a very deep affection for you.”
    “And I for you, Giles.”
    “And that our parents have expected ... although of course, it has never been formalized ... that we might make a match of it.”
    He was making his offer. But he was not, Clare realized with relief, declaring an undying passion for her. He was making his offer rather matter-of-factly. He did not need her like Justin did. Not Giles. Not her friend and protector. Thank God, she didn’t have to worry about him. He would be disappointed, she was sure. But his very being did not depend upon her. It made it much easier for her to say what she had to say.
    “There is something I must tell you, Giles,” she said, finally lifting her eyes to his face.
    From her tone, Giles could tell it was important. And it was clear she was not rushing in to accept his proposal before he had even finished making it. He kept his face carefully expressionless.
    “You know that I have been in the company of Lord Rainsborough almost as much as I have been in yours for these past weeks. At first, I was only surprised and flattered that he sought me out.”
    Giles wanted to protest: “But why would you be surprised, Clare? You are a lovely woman. You should just have accepted his attentions as your due.” But he kept quiet, waiting for her to finish.
    “Then, as I got to know him better, I realized that I had very strong feelings for him and he for me. We are very much in love, Giles,” Clare said in a rush, as though to keep him from any protest. “It happened so quickly, so unexpectedly. He spoke to Father yesterday. The betrothal will be in the paper tomorrow,” she finished in almost a whisper.
    “I see. Then, may I be the first to wish you happy, Clare?” What the hell else could he say? He had been the worst kind of fool, taking for granted that her feelings for him were as strong as his for her. Never imagining that someone like Rainsborough could sweep her off her feet. Thank God he had made no declaration of love.
    Clare reached out her hands to his. “Oh, Giles, I never meant this to happen. I never dreamed it could happen,” she added tremulously. “I hope you can wish me happy wholeheartedly.”
    Giles lifted her hands to his lips and gave them a gentle kiss.
    “Of course, my lady.”
    “And it is not as if we ever fell in love,” added Clare, as he let her hands go. “We have been the best of friends, and I hope we will always remain so.”
    “I hope so, too, Clare.”
    “I expected us to build a long and happy life together based on that friendship, Giles. Had I not met Justin, I think we might have done that. But Giles ...”
    “Yes,