Chapter 14.
Clara’s Pov.
The man’s step faltered, and he halted before me.
“Hello, beautiful.” His deep voice pulled me out of my trance and I raised my gaze to meet him.
“Hello.” My reply came in, brief and curt.
His lips formed into a smile, slow and unsettling.
“What could a beautiful lady be doing all alone?”
“Basking,” I said, taking a gentle sip from my wine.
The smile on his face deepened. “May I have this dance?” he asked softly, stretching one of his hands to me and the other to the dance floor where partners were already moving in pairs.
I looked at his hand for a moment longer than a second… Anything in the world except whatever reminds me of Maxwell. I don’t want to think of him. But sitting here idly will not only remind me of him, it will have me yearn and ache for h
