Finessing Clarissa Read Free Page B

allow me to assist you.’
    Despite Clarissa’s height, he threw her up easily into the saddle and then mounted behind her and put a strong arm about her waist. He leaned forward and murmured in her ear, ‘You do still smell awfully of that sewer,’ before spurring his horse.
    So much for romance, thought Clarissa tearfully as they rode through the starry night. Here she was, just like a heroine in a book, flying through the night with this man’s hand at her waist and all he could murmur in her ear was that she smelled awful.
    But she had no fear of him or that he might turn out to be a robber after all. He rode up the long drive of an estate and after a mile or so they came to a huge building. The lantern over the step was shining down on a pair of women who were waiting anxiously.
    Clarissa looked down on them and her heart sank. They were just the sort of ladies who always made her feel clumsy. The older one was still pretty in a faded way with clusters of brown curls confined with a gold fillet over her brow. The younger had golden hair and delicate features.
    The earl dismounted and helped Clarissa down. ‘Where is Tom?’ demanded Angela.
    ‘Tom will be here presently,’ said the earl. ‘This is Miss Vevian, whose coach he tried to rob. Miss Vevian, my stepmother, the Dowager Countess of Greystone, and my half-sister, Lady Bella.’
    ‘You must be mistaken. Tom would never do such a thing,’ exclaimed Angela.
    ‘He did, he has, and you must pray that Miss Vevian here does not turn him over to the nearest magistrate.’
    To Clarissa’s dismay, Angela threw herself at her feet and cried, ‘Oh, spare my boy.’
    ‘Please take Miss Vevian indoors and find her clean clothes and water to wash and bring her to the saloon and we will discuss the matter,’ said the earl testily.
    But it was only with great difficulty that Angela could be persuaded to behave herself. Clarissa was glad Angela was led off by Bella and she herself was turned over to the care of an efficient housekeeper.
    It transpired that the earl’s mother had been as tall as Clarissa and that her feet had been as large. Although she had been dead for many years now, her clothes were still stored in the attics. A gown of dark-green velvet was found for Clarissa and a pair of shoes with high red heels. Clarissa brushed her own hair and twisted it into a knot on the top of her head. She made her way to the saloon guided by a footman, feeling she looked like a guy.
    The footman opened the door for her and she walked in. There was no one in the room but the earl, who was standing by the fireplace.
    There was a little silence while the pair surveyed each other. Clarissa saw that the earl was indeed much taller than she was herself. He was handsome but formidable with his thick black hair, strong face, and pale, cold eyes. The earl saw a slim girl in a green velvet gown with thick masses of fiery-red hair, a rather sweet face dusted with freckles, and wide-spaced grey eyes. Clarissa noticed with surprise that the earl was looking at her with the same expression in his eyes which certain elderly gentleman had when they paid court to her mother – warmth and admiration. She felt quite breathless with surprise.
    ‘Come and sit down by the fire, Miss Vevian,’ said the earl, ‘and warm yourself. I do apologize for that wretched boy. Do say you forgive us.’
    ‘Yes, I do forgive you,’ said Clarissa. ‘It must be very taxing for you to have such a difficult charge. I have heard of you, my lord. Your father died recently and Tom is your half-brother.’
    ‘I wish I knew what to do with the boy. He is sadly spoilt. We are going to London for the Season and I shudder to think what scrapes he will get into.’
    ‘Then don’t take him,’ said Clarissa, stretching her hands gratefully to the blaze.
    ‘I can hardly leave him here on his own.’
    ‘No, but if you hired an excellent tutor, you could send him off on the Grand Tour. The prospect of travel