To Deceive A Duke

Chapter 35

"That was never my intention, but aren't you mad now that I am duchess and you are a meagre little lord?" She teases, playfully nudging his arm. He shoves her away, shaking his head.

"There is nothing little about me," He insists.

"No, of course, my mistake," Clarissa rolls her eyes and then glances around for his betrothed, "Where is Jane?"

Mathew's face grows moody, "She's inside with her parents, they aren't letting me spend much time with her at events," He grumbles, "Apparently I am a "negative influence,"" 

His fingers mark the quotations in the air as he pulls a face. 

"You? Never," She snorts. He smirks and follows her eyes as they land on a group of gossiping ladies, all watching her with conspiratorial grins behind their hands. She resists the urge to glower at them, they can't be much older than her and yet they look at her with such hostility and indifference. 

"It's just for tonight," He says, drawing her attention away from them. 

"Pardon?" She blinks and looks over at him. He gestures to their observers.

"Tonight they will stare and talk, never giving you a moment's rest, but tomorrow you will be an undisputed duchess, with more power and money than them combined and there's nothing they can do about it. They feel stronger because they are in a group, but they will address you one and one. And if they do, you could always hide away in Cavendish's massive house and never talk to anyone ever again."

At the mention, Clarissa's mind wanders to the expansive halls of Lygon Place, her new home. It is the grandest place she has ever seen and now it is to be her home, just like that, no questions asked. She is glad that Alice is coming with her, one friendly face will help her to survive the long corridors and many flights of stairs. A few hushed whispers from the group of girls carry across the garden and she scowls.

"But why do they even care?" She asks suddenly, "What is so fascinating about me that they have nothing better to do tonight, than stare and whisper?"

Mathew gives her a patronising look, "You aren't that naive, you know this how the ton work, they exchange gossip and reak havoc. You have also snapped up the most desirable bachelor since Jasper Harrington, they are annoyed and jealous of you, but now that you are titled they cannot harm you with more than petty rumours and pathetic glances." He stretches in his seat, "I for one, cannot wait to move Jane to the country,"

"You'd leave London?"

"In a heartbeat, I have no care for it anymore."

"And Jane, she would willingly go?"

"Jane hates it here, she lacks friends and her parents are stifling. She is a gentle soul who needs the sleepy country life and I will give it to her," He sits up in his chair, "Here she comes now,"

Clarissa follows his direction to where the tiny auburn-haired girl has left the main ballroom,  following her parents who are in a deep conversation. Poor Jane looks bored and lost and the sad expression does not suit her petite features. Her parents stop under one of the canopies and watch the dancing, not having noticed Clarissa and Mathew opposite them across the dance floor. Jane stands behind her parents, looking at the grass, her eyes dead and expression lifeless. 

An idea pops into Clarissa's head and she leans closer to Mathew, not taking her eyes of the Monroe's, "They don't approve of you, you say?" 

He shakes his head, grumbling, "My money is the only reason they are letting me marry her, it's too good an opportunity to pass up,"

"Hmm, well maybe I can use my newly gained power for good," She says, a wicked glint in her eye. He casts a wary look at her mischievous smile.

"What power?"