To Deceive A Duke

Chapter 27

As soon as Clarissa gets home she goes up the stairs to locate her parents. She is surprised to see them sitting together in the drawing-room. Nowadays it is rare for them to be seen together as her father prefers hiding out in his study and Marie always have some social engagement to keep herself busy. Today that is different, Silas is concentrating on his newspaper, his wife is consumed with her needlepoint and to no one's surprise, neither of them are making conversation. 

They look up and greet Clarissa when she enters the room but they return to their chosen entertainment as she sits down. She picks the nearest armchair, crossing her ankles and folding her hands delicately in her lap. Her mind is whirring as she runs through what she is going to say. She planned her announcement in the carriage, but now that she is faced with saying it her throat feels tight. She might have underplayed the significance of her parent's approval in this marriage to Daniel. The stubborn and hot-headedness that she possesses is also present in her father's character, and she fears that this conversation will define the success of her nuptials. 

She coughs politely, expecting her parents to glance towards her or at least comment but they pay her no heed. She does it again and still, they do not react. Why do parents never pay attention when they need to and always interfere when they don't? She sighs, she needs to tell them before she loses her nerve and starts to question every move she's ever made. 

"Mother, father, I have some news," 

"What is it ma petit choux?" Marie asks, picking up a glass of red wine from the side table and taking a small sip. The clock over the fire shows that is 1:20 in the afternoon, the appropriate time for an early afternoon drink of course. Clarissa takes a deep breath, time to test her acting abilities on her own family. 

She shifts awkwardly in her chair, trying to appear sheepish, "My news is rather unexpected, but I hope and pray that you will be happy for me, as I myself am overjoyed." She flashes them a sweet innocent smile, fluttering her eyelashes for extra effect. 

Her mother stills and places her sewing on the cushion next to her. She exchanges a glance with her husband, who regards his daughter carefully, his attention dropped from the newspaper, "What is it, dearest?" 

Clarissa can't look at him, she can't lie directly to his face. She directs her gaze to the wall above his head, her eyes not moving from that one spot. The relaxed atmosphere of before has vanished, and now confusion hangs in the air. 

Her nails dig into her palms as she speaks in a quiet but certain voice, "I've fallen in love," 

Marie gasps into her glass, spluttering and coughing. Red wine flies everywhere but she doesn't care, she is too shocked. Her hand shakes as she places her glass aside, staring at her daughter as though she is waiting to be told this is all a jest. On the other side of the room, Silas is frozen in his seat with his knuckles turning white as he grips the paper with increasing pressure. A small shred of fear paints his fixed face. 

 Clarissa continues talking despite the shaken silence, "He's asked me to be his wife, and I've said yes," 

At this statement Marie immediately finds her voice, "Quoi? Qu'est-ce? Quand est-ce arrivé? Comment ai-je manqué cela? Dîtes-moi!" Her voice is high and squeaky as she looks from her daughter to her husband and back while her hands flap excitedly.  Clarissa tries not to wince as the questions fly her way, but she can't escape her mother's curiosity. 

"Qui est le monsieur? At-il un titre? Quel est son revenue?" 

"Marie, calm down this instant." Silas snaps, his tone level  "I am sure Clarissa will explain everything." 

She bites her lip as she glimpses her father's hard expression. It says she better be able to explain everything otherwise she is in some serious trouble. She can't meet his piercing gaze so she concentrates on the frantic mess that is her mother. She moves over to the chaise lounge and sits beside her.