Great. Claire sighed, holding her hands together and attempting to look busy glancing around the room while she heard Nicholas flirting behind her. He was just like every other man out there, doing whatever he could to raise his status in society. Or get under the dress of a pretty girl. Isn’t that what Thomas, the married man she was accused of sleeping with had done when he said that’s why they were together? Keeping up with his personal status?

She’d been ready to leave with her father when the suggestion of Nicholas escorting her came up. “Yes, Claire, let your father talk business and go on without me, will you?” As if she were some child that needed to be passed from one person to another to make sure she stayed out of trouble. It was sickening, really.

“Of course I accept. You have quite the gentleman here, Mr. Rochford,” she said with a quiet smile before putting her arm around Nicholas’. “Good night Father, I’m sure I’ll be asleep by the time you return. Mr. Bennett,” she said with a curtsey before leaving to say her goodbyes to the host and a few of her friends. They all seemed quite impressed she was leaving with someone so attractive.

When they finally reached the awaiting carriage outside Claire stopped a few feet from it, turning to him with a sigh. “Nicholas- or Nick, whatever you prefer- this is unnecessary. I’m very capable of riding a carriage home by myself and don’t need the pressure of even more polite conversation the entire way. You, on the other hand, should go back inside,” she continued, a hint of a smile coming back. “I’m not blind, I saw how that red-head looked at you. I think your time would be better spent escorting her home, or any of the other ladies in there.” Claire smirked, glancing at the open carriage door. “We both know this isn’t going anywhere.”

If he tried to argue she would shake her head, putting a single gloved finger to his lips. “What did I say about polite conversation? I don’t want any more of it. Tell your father you escorted me, or that I refused. It doesn’t matter, but that is what I’m doing, Mr. Rochford. Refusing your company. So have a good night. And thank you for making tonight a little less painful than it could have been.”