As Clara climbed into the carriage with her family, she couldn't help but smile like a schoolgirl. Lord Brandon Howard, the Duke of Manchester, was unlike any gentleman she had ever met. He was kind and sweet, humble and selfless. She liked him a great deal, and was anxious to see him again.
Bronson smiled knowingly at his sister. "You're in good spirits."
Clara smiled. "Do I not have the right to be? I have spent the remainder of my debut with the finest gentleman."
Elizabeth. "A Duke no less."
Arthur. "Manchester seems to be quite the respectable man."
Clara. "He certainly is brother. He is not arrogant like Lord Broderick."
Elizabeth. "He seems to like you a great deal my dear."
Clara became bright pink. "I certainly like him a great deal mama. We agreed that we would have a dance together at the next ball."
Arthur beamed. "Did you? Well then, we must make that happen."
Bronson. "Indeed."
Arthur. "On top of that, we will find out in tomorrow's paper whether you have been chosen as the diamond."
Clara. "I don't know if I M Arthur. The queen said I was exquisite, but I don't know if that's enough."
Elizabeth took her hand. "My dear, regardless of whether you receive the title or not, you are a beautiful young woman who is a true diamond."
Clara smiled. "Thank you mama."
Arriving back to Harrington Park, the family climbed out of the carriage and went into the house. After bathing and changing into their night clothing, they climbed into their beds and fell asleep.
***
The next morning, Brandon was sitting at the breakfast table with Penelope Georgina and his mother Katrina. The four of them were pouring over the paper, reading the headlines that had been written. The main topic was the opening of the London season from the previous day, detailing which young lady impressed the queen the most.
Penelope moved a few strands of strawberry blonde hair away from her blue eyes. "I cannot wait to be among the young ladies next year."
Georgina. "Neither can I."
Brandon smiled at his sisters. "Just be patient, the two of you will have your opportunity next year."
Katrina smiled. "Your brother is right my darlings, you will both have your chance to shine."
Penelope. "We know mama."
Georgina. "Next year seems so far away."
Brandon chuckled. "Believe me, it is much closer than you think."
Katrina. "It seems the queen has chosen Miss Giselle Broderick as the Diamond."
Brandon rolled his eyes. "Miss Broderick does not have the characteristics to hold that title. She may have the appearance for one, but nothing more."
Katrina. "Indeed."
Brandon glanced at Giselle's portrait in the paper, shaking his head with disapproval. He wouldn't be calling on her. "I will not be one of the gentleman vying for her affection."
Penelope. "She is not deserving of your affection brother. She is much too snobbish."
Georgina. "Indeed she is. She believes herself to be better than everyone else."
Brandon. "Exactly, which is why I do not find her attractive."
Katrina. "Do you have someone that you are going to call upon my dear?"
Brandon smiled at her. "I do indeed mother."
Georgina lean forward with interest. "Who is the lucky young lady brother?"
Penelope. "Please do tell."
Brandon smiled at his mother and sisters. "Her name is Miss Clara Harrington."
Katrina's eyes danced with excitement. "The daughter of Lady Elizabeth Harrington?"
Brandon nodded. "Yes, do you know her mother?"
Katrina nodded. "Elizabeth and I are great friends. We had our season together."
Penelope. "I would love to meet Miss Harrington."
Georgina. "So would I, she sounds lovely."
Brandon smiled. "She is a true diamond."
Georgina. "Are you going to pay her a visit?"
Brandon. "Of course."
Penelope. "When do you plan to do so?"
Brandon became bright pink. "I am not sure Penny, whenever the time allows. I am sure she is receiving a few gentlemen, she did have quite the number of dance partners last night."
Katrina. "Go pay her a visit whenever you feel the time is right my dear."
Brandon smiled softly. He was anxious to see Clara again, but would wait for the right opportunity. "I plan to do just that mother."
***
Arthur. "Miss Broderick has no beauty compared to you. You deserved that title, not her."
Clara smiled softly, shaking her head. "I don't mind not receiving the title brother. In fact, I am quite happy for Giselle."
Arthur stared at her as if she had grown a second head. "Clara, Giselle Broderick has none of the characteristics that you do, that a true diamond possesses. She is rude and arrogant, selfish and believes she is better than everyone else."
Clara. "I understand that, but I am happy for her all the same. Even the most selfish of people deserve to shine every once in a while."
Arthur smiled, his expression softening. He reached across the breakfast table and squeezed her hand. "My dear sister, you are the most selfless person I have ever known. You will make a lovely match this season, I am sure of it."
Clara smiled at him. "I hope so brother, I truly hope so."