Ditching The Duke

and so we meet again

Clarissa stood in the ballroom gazing all around her. The Duchess of Starsborough didn't waste any time before getting down to business. No sooner did she marry off her daughter, and already she had every worthy bachelor in London lined up to meet Clarissa. Really, Clarissa didn't know how much longer she could stand in this crowded room with a plastic smile pasted to her face. She thought her nerves were strung tighter than the corset she was squeezed into. But still they continued to come, one gentleman after another.

Then all eyes turned towards the entranceway. Clarissa knew it wasn't the newly weds, for they were already dancing. She leaned forward a bit to look over one of the gentleman's shoulders to see who it was. Who ever he was, he was extremely handsome. The gentleman was tall with broad muscular shoulders. He carried himself with such confident and graceful movements. He had light brown hair and wore a black tux in the latest fashion that fit over his muscular build perfectly.

"Ah, there is my son." She heard the Duchess say.

Dustin! Clarissa lost her balance and bumped right into the gentleman she was discreetly trying to look over.

"Oh, pardon me." she could feel herself blush with embarrassment. The gentleman, who she remembered was the Earl of Redmond, gave her a shy smile.

"No need to worry Lady Clarissa. It is awfully crowded in here. Would you care for some punch?" He held out his arm for her and Clarissa was so grateful for the chance to escape before Dustin arrived at his mothers side that she almost latched right on to him. Luckily all of her schooling on how to be a proper lady kicked in.

"That would be lovely." Clarissa beamed a smile at him and gently placed her hand in the crook of the Earl's arm.

She knew she would have to face him eventually, but the longer she could put it off the better. It was hard to believe the kind of man he grew up to be. She snuck a peek over her shoulder and watched as he flashed his dimpled smile at every female he passed by. He really was dashing. No longer the awkward little boy she remembered so fondly. Clarissa knew now the rumors she heard of him over the years were true. Dustin is a rake. He became a shadow of exactly what her father truly was. Only Dustin didn't hide it. She supposed she should feel lucky he cut off their friendship all those years ago. Clarissa never knew why he did. Maybe it was because her family became poor. Or maybe it was due to the foolish kiss she gave him that last day. What ever the reason, it no longer mattered to her. He had changed so much for the worse that she wouldn't be friends with him now even if he begged her.

As they stood at the punch table, Clarissa nearly choked on her drink when she over heard one of the mamma's prep her daughter to try and catch the eye of the very charming Duke.

"Is something amiss Lady Clarissa?" The Earl of Redmond asked with concern in his eyes.

She really shouldn't have been so surprised all the mamma's wanted to snag the Duke for their daughters. All any of them cared about was gaining his title and wealth. Perhaps his roguish good looks played a small role as well.

But did they not care that a man like him would never remain faithful? Clarissa knew the Duchess would never accept her to be courted by any man who wasn't a wealthy and titled gentleman. she knew it would never be a love match. But she refused to wind up with someone who would have a mistress in every different town they passed by. No. Clarissa was determined to find a husband who was a little shy and didn't flaunt himself around the social scene. Someone she could perhaps at least be friends with during their marriage. 

So far, the Earl of Redmond seemed her best bet. Though he wasn't as handsome as the other men who were flocking to her in droves to kiss her gloved hand. He was still easy on the eyes with his black hair and blue eyes.

"Everything is fine, thank you my Lord." She responded with one of her most flattering smiles. He in return blushed. Just then the band struck up a slow song.

The Earl of Radford gave a flourishing bow at his waist and said "May I have this dance Lady Clarissa?"

She smiled and placed her hand in his "It would be an honor my Lord." Then he swept her off to the dance floor.

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From across the room. Dustin was on a mission. Find Clarrisa. He spotted his mother and made his way over towards her. Knowing Clarissa would be close by her side. However, he was soon coming to realize that being popular had its downfall. for every time he took a step, someone would stop him in his tracks to talk. It seemed as if every mamma in London needed to introduce their simpering daughters to him before he even had the chance to greet the hostess.

When he finally did catch up with his mother, Clarissa was no where to be seen. He glanced around and noticed there was an unusual amount of young men standing around in clusters around the Dutchess. "Your Grace. You look stunning this evening" he said as he bent at the waist and placed a kiss atop his mothers hand.

When he stood, she leaned in closer to him as she spoke so only he would hear. "she is quite a success" her eyes swerving around to take in all the gentlemen standing around. That was when it donned on him. These men were all waiting a turn to spend time with his Clarissa.

Something tightened in his chest. He quickly coughed to clear his throat and to put a damper on his unexpected surge of unwanted jealously. Really he had nothing to be jealous of. He was sure that once she laid eyes on him, she would be so overcome with excitement that she would pay no heed to these fools tripping over themselves to be close to her. The two of them would spend the rest of the evening playing catch up on lost time.

"Where is she?" he scanned the room curiously. Searching for the scrawny brown haired and freckled Pixie he remembered.

She nodded in the direction of a couple just ending a dance and taking their leave of the dance floor. "Why, she is right there" as if Duncan was daft for not knowing on his own. But it couldn't be. For the lady walking on the arm of Lord Sudsburry towards them was a beauty. Long slim limbs that moved with a grace of confidence. Hips swaying seductively on their own accord that made a mans hands itch to grasp onto. Narrow waist and a bust that pushed the plush fabric of her gown to its limits. His breathing became shallow, palms sweaty, and his breaches uncomfortably tighter. If this truly was his Clarissa, then she was deffinetly no longer the little girl he remembered. No where close to being his fragile little Pixie. This body belonged to a woman. And she was ALL woman.

His eyes slowly made their way up to her face. Her cheeks had a rosy blush forming on them which just seemed to make her complexion all the more pretty. Proving she was not far enough away not to notice his slow assessment of her body. A wolfish grin slid along his cheek, showing his dimple he knew all too well how much the ladies loved it.

But instead of making her grant him with a smile in return. Her soft pink lips turned into a hard flat line. There was nothing welcoming or inviting about that mouth now. His breath caught in his chest as he made eye contact with her. They were beautifully doe shaped. Still the same shade of hot cocoa. But they did nothing to warm Duncan's bones. They narrowed upon contact with his own, then she looked away from him. Sticking that pert little nose of hers in the air.

The nerve! He wanted to grab that narrow chin of hers and...and...he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do. But it involved erasing that disgusted look off of her face. Dustin looked behind him to see if it was possible she was clearly snubbing someone else. But to no avail. It was just him.

Lord Sudsburry practically pranced towards them. Clearly knowing he was sporting the most beautiful prize on his arm. Duncan wanted to punch that smug look right off his face. He clenched his teeth nearly as tightly as his fists at his sides.

"It was a pleasure my Lady. Until next time"

Lord Sudsburry flourished a bow to Clarissa and begrudgingly took his leave from her side.

Clarissa wanted with every fiber in her body to cling on to Lord Sudsburry and beg him to take her with him. She wanted to be anywhere right now that the cocky Duke was not.

"Ah dear Clarissa. You must remember Dustin" said the Dutchess.