The s****l and creative tensions of the villa simmered. Byron’s and Claire liaison was explosive at the very least. It seemed like Byron could barely stand her, but he could not resist her either. Claire’s overbearing admiration of Byron was almost obsessive. John was only glad that she had not set her sights on him.
Claire was very desirable physically, with animated features and a full figure, shown off to succulent advantage in the sheer muslin gowns of the current fashion, but John could not find her attractive despite the pretty packaging. She was too rapacious and needy and he also felt that she did not compare favorably with her step-sibling’s fierce and self-possessed intelligence.
Her eagerness to continue the affair with Byron, and her swelling belly, made John wonder at Byron’
