Sweet Awakening Read Online Free PDF Page B

another suitor, my lady?” Lord Rainsborough asked in such a tone that Clare felt he was actually caressing her with his voice. But before she could even think of a response, he turned them around and in normal accents said, “I think I see an old acquaintance over there. Come, let me introduce you.”
    The next day, when Clare had received a small box of candied violets from the earl and a note thanking her for her kindness to a stranger returned home after many years, she decided that, really, there was nothing to be concerned about. She was a sympathetic listener. She too knew what it was to feel a kind of outsider. And the earl had somehow sensed that. He had only wanted an afternoon’s companionship after all.
    She picked out one of the sweets he had sent her, and licked at the crystallized sugar. The question was, what did she want? Why did her mouth want to be nibbling at Lord Rainsborough’s lips, those full and sensuous lips that could curl up in the most charming smile? Why was it Rainsborough’s arms around her that she imagined and not Giles’s? Giles was her beloved friend, her champion, her childhood Galahad. Why did Sir Galahad no longer hold the same appeal? How could she find anyone as good as Giles? As familiar?
    She loved Giles. She had no doubts about that. She had quietly given him all the affection she had stored up. All the love her family didn’t seem to need from her. Not that she had ever spoken of it. But it was there, waiting for him.
    She knew that Giles loved her. But why did he love her? Because they were old friends? Because it was easy to let affection carry one along into a marriage that both sets of parents wanted? Because he was used to the idea? Clare wished she had someone to talk to. Her usual confidant was Sabrina. But she could hardly say to Giles’s sister, “I love your brother dearly. But I am beginning to wonder if I love him, if you understand what I mean?” But Clare herself wasn’t sure she knew what she meant.
    * * * *
    The earl’s attentions, which had started quietly, became much more noticeable over the following days. He always made sure to have two dances with Clare, one of them the supper dance when at all possible. On the few occasions that Sabrina and Giles were not present, Lucy Kirkman made sure that they knew the latest.
    At first Sabrina was merely amused and pleased for Clare. After all, it was quite a compliment to be sought after by one of the handsomest men in London. After a while, however, she began to worry. Giles continued his quiet attendance on Clare, but there were no more visits to the gardens, and several times when he called in the afternoon, Clare was already out with Rainsborough.
    Really, it was time both of them woke up, thought Sabrina. Giles needed to woo Clare more energetically, and Clare needed to see that Rainsborough was all charm and no substance. Not that Sabrina had any real evidence of that. Not much was known about him, but what was, seemed perfectly respectable. He was handsome, intelligent, very charming, well-to-do, and the inheritor of a respected title. Yet for Sabrina, he seemed too good to be true. She was disappointed in Clare, for she knew, with her twin’s sixth sense, that Giles was hurt, although he gave no outward sign of it.
    One afternoon, while she and her brother were finishing a light nuncheon, she finally expressed her concern.
    “Are you at all worried about Lord Rainsborough and Clare, Giles?” she asked bluntly.
    “Rainsborough and Clare?” he responded coolly. “I wasn’t aware there was anything to worry about.”
    “Oh, Giles, don’t take that tone with me. You know what I mean. He may not exactly be ‘mad in pursuit,’ but his attentions have become more noticeable these past few evenings.”
    “I wanted Clare to enjoy her first Season, Sabrina, which is why I have not declared myself formally. I am happy if she is enjoying her flirtation. I’d far rather she make a real choice rather