Page 50 of Courting Claudia

Chapter 10

“You don’t have to marry me,” Claudia said once they were alone in the carriage.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Claudia, of course we will marry.”

“My father will forbid it.”

“Your father has no choice. I’ve ruined your reputation, and I will do the honorable thing.”

His words pricked at her heart. Honor. It was an admirable trait, but no woman wanted honor to be the reason for becoming a wife. She almost laughed. Were it not so painful, she might have. She remembered as a little girl she’d dreamed of this day—the day she became betrothed—and it never played out in such a manner.

There had always been declarations of love in her fantasies, but the reality held no promise of love. She looked at Derrick, who sat statue-still across from her. He stared out the window, his mouth tight, a frown furrowing his brow. If he’d been courting her the way he’d claimed, he would not be so disappointed right now.

“When we get to your house,” he said as he turned to face her, “I want you to wait in the hall while I speak to your father alone.”

“Derrick, my father will not be pleased.”

“No father is pleased when his daughter is caught in an intimate embrace in public.”

“But he is not fond of you.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“He does not care for your paper, believes you print lies. He doesn’t like you.”

“I don’t care if he likes me or not. I am going to marry you. It’s the right thing to do. And I’ll do it with or without his permission.”

“Why are you so angry?” she asked.

He released a heavy breath. “I’m not angry. I’m frustrated. With myself. I should have had more control. This wasn’t your fault, Claudia, it was all mine. I take full responsibility.

“I want you to remain in the hall until I am finished speaking to him. I think it will be better that way. Unless you can think of something that will convince him to allow you to marry me.”

She chewed at her lip. It would not go well. Her father had such a temper. “No,” she said softly.

“I didn’t think so.”

They rode the rest of the way in silence. When the carriage rocked to a stop, Derrick turned to her. He held his hand out to her, and she clasped it.

“It will be all right. No matter how it appears now.”

She gave him a smile, then followed him up the stairs to her house. She took a seat on the bench in the hallway while Derrick was announced in her father’s study. Her hands were shaking so badly, she had to clutch at her skirt to still them.

She closed her eyes and tuned her ears to the voices behind the door. She could hear them speaking, but could not make out any words. Frustrated, she stood and put her ear to the door. Still nothing.

Derrick had said everything would be all right. She wanted to believe him, but she knew her father, and nothing that happened today would be all right with him.

“No!” her father suddenly yelled.

She silently cracked the door open, just enough to let the sound out.

“Viscount Kennington, I appreciate your anger, but understand something. I did not come here to discuss this with you. I merely came as a courtesy to my future wife’s father.” Derrick’s tone was even, but strong.

“My daughter will not be your wife.”

Her father’s steps paced across the floor. No doubt he strolled behind his desk as he did every time he was upset. Guilt settled in her stomach. There was no excuse for what had occurred today. No reason that any of the things that had happened with Derrick had happened. No reason other than her weakness and inability to say no. It was a sickening realization that she had so little resolve.

“Something happened today that demands that Claudia and I marry,” Derrick said.