The Duke's Lady

Chapter 11

Clarissa smiled, she was absolutely positively happy. She had ruined any chance for Ms. Campton to make a most advantages match. She was ecstatic that her planned worked so well and no one was the wiser. She even made sure that it was so believable, she giggled in delight as she watched her rumor spread like a wildfire. She knew that it was a lie, but she couldn't have any competition around. She knew that William was protective over Holly and that if she didn't do something he might choose her instead of Clarissa. 

William, what was she going to do about him? He had seemed to loose interest in her, especially when Holly Campton showed up. She knew from that moment, she could loose him as her suitor. She was going to be the next Duchess of Lancaster no matter what. She didn't care what she had to do, she would ruin every girl who even tried to attempt to try to get his attention. Her father always made sure that she had whatever she wanted. Some of the Matrons called her a spoiled brat, she didn't care. They were just jealous, they only wished that they could have her beauty.

They were so fat and had daughters that were ugly, they didn't compare to Clarissa's beauty. That was until Holly Campton came into the picture. Everyone was talking about how sweet she was, how nice she dressed. Holly was perfect in every way and if  William would only look at her instead of Clarissa, he would be better off. How Holly Campton would make the perfect Duchess, it was never ending praises about her. 

Clarissa glared at her from across the room whenever she had to look at her. She would have to tolerate William's sister until they married. Then she would be out of the house so fast, Clarissa just knew how to do that too. But this worked out better for her, now that Holly was out of the picture. She was so giddy, she almost gave herself away. 

She caught William studying her, she gave him a smile and he furrowed his brow. Great he wasn't as dumb as she thought he was. She knew that he just needed to be sweet talked to again, besides her biggest threat was out of the picture. " William, darling won't you dance with me?"

 " Not now, something is wrong, my mother was following the Campton's out."

" Oh well I guess I can dance with one of these other gentlemen then.'

" I don't care, I wouldn't care if you danced with a servant, I have to find out what is going on."

Clarissa watched as he walked towards the doors, he was going after them. She didn't figure in her plans of that ever happening. Maybe she should have waited on spreading the rumor at different calls instead of tonight. She just figured it would be better, she was always making rash decisions. Her eyes followed William, what was she going to do now? What if that girl blabbed her mouth and he found out about how she threatened  Holly. 

She danced with several gentlemen, she made small talk with each one. She was about to throw a fit right here if he didn't show back up. She should be praying that her plan doesn't backfire on her, besides when she is Duchess she will admit it was all a lie.

Besides it would be to late by then, she wouldn't even have a chance to steal William away. He would be stuck with her and then there was nothing he could do but do as she demanded. Clarissa grinned to herself, this was going to work in her favor. She danced with much more gusto than before, her partner must have sensed the change in her. They waltzed across the floor, with such fervor that other dancers moved out of the way. 

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William was  to late, he about ran over several of the guests and some of the servants to catch up. He wanted to find out what exactly happened. All he knew was about some rumor that was circulating about what Holly had supposedly done. He knew better, Holly was a sweet girl and would never do such things. When and if he found out who would do something so maliciously, they were going to pay for ruining her reputation. Poor Holly, she didn't deserve to be treated with such malious. 

Regardless of what he feels for her, she deserved better treatment. If he finds out it was one of those so called gentlemen in there, he would break their necks. He knew that it shouldn't matter what happened to Holly, but he just felt protective over her. He didn't think that lust would make you so protective over a lady. Maybe it was because it was his little sister's best friend, that could explain a lot. 

He walked back into the ball and watched as Clarissa was enjoying herself immensely. He thought she would have been more hurt by the rumors against Holly. He didn't think that she would be so happy about Holly being escorted out of the ball. Unless she had something to do with the rumors? He watched as she was being twirled around the dance floor. There was no way someone as sweet as Clarissa could do something as malicious as that. He needed to look else where, the culprit would come forward eventually.

It was to late to repair Holly's reputation, she needed to marry someone. He didn't like the idea of her marrying someone else. She would make a gentleman happy, he would get to kiss her every day and night. Holly would carry this gentlemen's heir and give it life. He knew that didn't sit well with him at all, he wondered why? 

He just wanted to leave and go to his home, he didn't feel like dancing or making small talk. He left a message with Clarissa's mother that he was leaving for the evening. She wouldn't be happy about him leaving without saying good night. But he wasn't going to wait around for her to be without a dance partner. He is really starting to question his feelings towards Clarissa, she may not be Duchess material. After all it was a job that needed to be filled but for the right woman. Not everybody could handle the duties of a Duchess.

He didn't know what to do, maybe he was just tired and needed an early night. Things would be a lot clearer in the morning, he didn't want to make a decision he would later on regret. He walked out the door without a second glance. He was going to up early tomorrow morning to find out exactly what happened to Holly. What could this mean for his sister? How was Holly's new reputation going to effect his sister's reputation? 

He needed answers apparently a lot of answers, he knew who to go to for answers and help with his own problems. He arrived at his townhouse in Grovernor's square, he went in and straight to his decanter. One night cap would make him sleep like a baby, he then went up to his master suite and fell fast asleep. Tomorrow was going to be a very long day.