The next day.

Amelia was lying flat on her stomach on Clara's bed, her hands tucked under her chin. A curious expression on her face.

"So you're saying that he announced your betrothal even though you declined his proposal?"

"Yes."

"Are you demented?" she asked, sitting up.

"What? You think I should have accepted his proposal when I didn't even know him just because he's a Duke?"

"Well, yes."

"He's the Duke of Montrose, Amy. Haven't you heard about his parents?"

"So? Since when has someone's background bothered you? You shouldn't be friends with me either then."

Amelia's family was pretty dysfunctional too.

"And what about you? You're a scandal in waiting too. Besides, we're twenty two, Clara. Twenty two and unmarried. It's not like we almost-spinsters get proposals like these everyday."

Clara covered her face with her hands, frustrated and confused.

If she had to be honest, she wasn't bothered by the Duke's family history in the least. But the fact that she didn't know anything about him was troubling her.

Luckily, Adonis, her pug walked in and jumped onto her lap. He wasn't the fittest of dogs considering how much they pampered and fed him. But he was adorable and his presence always made her feel better. Amelia didn't agree with her though.

"Oh Lord, get that thing away from here. It stinks."

"Take that back. You'll hurt his feelings."

"Oh well, I'm sorry Adonis. You smell wonderful," Amelia said in a tone which wasn't regretful in the least. He jumped down from Clara's lap, waddled up to Amelia and looked up at her longingly. She grudgingly bent down and patted his head.

Clara looked at Amelia. She was beautiful, blond with corn flower blue eyes. And had lovely, willowy figure unlike her plump one. She was so open and honest.

Why wasn't she married yet?

"Damn you to hell, Adonis! You got your drool all over my dress," Amy hooted with laughter and then started giggling cause she was on the floor and Adonis was licking her face.

Oh wait, that's why.

Clara was sure that someday the right man would fall in love with her.

Later the same day.

"In my heart, I knew that Clara was capable of landing a Duke. In fact, that was why she was postponing getting married all these years."

Clara's mother was bragging about her nonexistent beauty and charm to Lady Hudson and Rebecca.

They'd paid a call on them to "congratulate" Clara on her betrothal and were seated in their rose parlour, taking tea.

"Do tell us, my dear. How did you manage to secure the Duke's affections?" Lady Hudson asked in a syrupy voice that grated on Clara's nerves.

Before she could say anything, Rebecca interrupted saying, "isn't it obvious mother? Clara trapped the Duke."

Clara's mother gasped, outraged.

That's it. She was done being compliant and quiet. So she said, "I'm afraid, I'm not as devious as you, my dearest. The entire ton knows about what you tried with Lord Drake."

It was Lady Hudson's and her daughter's turn to gasp.

It wasn't like Clara to be deliberately cruel, but she'd had enough of these two.

Thankfully, Wilbur, the butler of the Fethuerington household knocked.

"The Duke of Montrose has come to call, my Lady. Are you receiving?"

"Of course we are, Wilbur. Do send him in," Lady Fethuerington said, appalled.

The Duke entered a few minutes later. He bowed and all the ladies stood up to greet him.

Suddenly, Lady Hudson and Rebecca were the most gracious and pleasant people in the world. All was forgotten about the offence they'd taken just then.

"I hope you're well, Lady Clara. You seemed a trifle agitated during yesterday's excitement," he addressed her.

"Yes, I'm fine, thank you." She replied stiffly. He just nodded.

"If you ladies will excuse me, I would like to talk to Lord Fethuerington regarding Lady Clara and my upcoming nuptials."

"Of course, your grace." Clara's mother said excitedly.

Thankfully, the Duke left the parlour to meet her father in his study. Lady Hudson and Rebecca mercifully left too.

Meanwhile...

The Duke and a very pleased Lord Fethuerington finally came out the study.

"I would like to talk to Lady Clara with your permission," the Duke told the Earl.

"Certainly, I shall call for her. You may wait in the library."

Leo was nervous. Clara had seemed unhappy when he'd first greeted her today. And they hadn't had the chance to speak last night because of all the people crowding around them to congratulate them.

He could hardly believe it. He was betrothed.

He turned around when he heard the creaking sound of the door open.

There stood Lady Clara, her chocolatey hair pinned up. But at least he could see her hair. She looked composed and calm, that had to be a good sign, right?

Then she turned around to shut the door. His heartbeat accelerated.

"Just who do you think you are?" She turned around and shouted, literally shouted. He was about to say something but apparently, she wasn't done yet.

"You think you can just strut into my life and announce that we're getting married?Have you lost it? I'll never marry a man like you, the consequences be damned."

He raised a brow at her colourful vocabulary. But he was merely amused. That only infuriated her more. He looked around to see if there were any sharp objects she could use on him. They were in a library. Those heavy books if thrown could be equally hazardous.

"Lady Clara, please calm down."

"Don't you dare ask me to calm down. You've turned my life upside down in less than a day," she screeched. How had he thought she was docile? Right now, she was reminding him less of a docile, motherly spinster and more of a wild cat.

"We're both adults. We can discuss this maturely. Why don't you want to marry me? Is it my looks? My interest in the medical sciences? Do you find me repulsive?"

She exhaled.

"It has nothing to do with any of that."

"Then what is it?"

"We know nothing about each other. How are we to spend the rest of lives together when we don't even know if we can tolerate each other?"

"I know enough."

"Oh you think so? Did you know that I'm a published writer? Did you know that I secretly write lurid romance novels?"

Leo was gaping.

Then he collected himself and said,"and that should be a problem because? It is perfectly acceptable for you to have other interests."

Clara was gaping now.

"Didn't you mention a ward yesterday? What happens to her if my secret is discovered? She will be ruined along with me."

"We will cross that bridge when we get there," he said firmly.

"Don't you think I deserve love?" She asked.

"I know you deserve to be happy. And love and happiness do not always have to coexist."

Clara thought she hated him then. But then the look in eyes turned feral.

"Didn't I show you how compatible we were yesterday?" He asked huskily.

Clara was at a loss of words. What was she to say?

And then he kissed her. It was as wonderful as yesterday's kiss, but it was so much more. It was like they'd known each other forever. His warmth and scent enveloped her. She felt so safe in his embrace. His hands that were moving over her back slid over her derrière and clutched her possessively.

She gasped.

He took advantage of that and slid his tongue over hers. Clara just moaned.

Leo pulled away from her and stared at her face.

Then, "I apologise for my behaviour, Lady Clara. I must leave now. Good day."

And he was gone. Just like that.