Chapter 4 Chapitre 4

As the evening progressed, Clara found herself immersed in lively discussion with a small group of guests who had approached her with polite but palpable curiosity. They talked about art and fashion, subjects that always seemed to spark lively conversations in this kind of environment, especially with the presence of eminent collectors and designers. Clara had until now maintained a reserved attitude, but, without her realizing it, the conversation had awakened in her a flame of enthusiasm that she was no longer able to conceal.

- "The work of René Dumont, for example," she said, her eyes shining, "represents much more than simple aesthetic research. It is an exploration of the human soul, a dialogue between shadows and light, almost an intimate confrontation with our own doubts. »

The guests, until then slightly distracted, suddenly looked at her with expressions of surprise and respect. They had expected conventional remarks or superficial opinions from this mysterious young country woman, as some still called her. But the depth and precision of his words took them by surprise.

A man, visibly fascinated by the turn of the conversation, asked:

- "You seem to know Dumont's work in detail. Are you... a collector, Miss Clara? »

Clara hesitated for a moment, aware that revealing too much of her knowledge might draw more attention to herself. But she also felt the sincere pleasure of sharing this passion with other art lovers, a rarity for her in her world of imposed silence.

- "I had the chance to work closely with his work," she replied with a smile. "His approach to surrealism has always fascinated me, particularly his series on abandonment and resilience. »

An elegant woman, adorned with sumptuous jewelry, stepped forward, impressed.

- "Clara, did you study art? » she asked, almost incredulously.

Clara gave a mysterious smile, without giving a direct answer. She felt the insistent gazes of some, seeking to unravel the mysteries she carried within her. This evening, which had begun under the sign of discretion, gradually became a scene where each word she uttered seemed to reinforce the aura of mystery around her person.

In a corner of the room, a few journalists had already noticed the excitement around her and, with their nose for a good story alert, they slipped subtly into the crowd, their ears strained so as not to miss any possible revelations of this stranger suddenly became the center of attention.

One of them, a man with salt-and-pepper hair, discreetly took out a notebook, ready to jot down the smallest detail that might make headlines in the press the next day. He approached with an affable smile, playing the role of a simple curious guest, but Clara was not fooled. She felt the intensity in his gaze, the urgency hidden behind his polite smile.

- "Miss Clara," he said in a soft but confident voice, "let me tell you that your knowledge of art is impressive. I am sure that our readers would be fascinated by your journey... Perhaps you would have a few words to share about your vision of art, or even about your relationship with Mr. Darcy? »

Clara held his gaze without blinking, choosing her words carefully.

- "I'm afraid I don't have much extraordinary to say," she replied calmly, implying that she had no interest in the media outbursts. "I'm here for a pleasant evening, nothing more. »

The journalist, however, did not give up so easily. Seeing Clara's polite but firm reserve, he tried a different approach, hoping to elicit some indirect confidences that might fuel public interest.

- "Miss, I understand, of course," he whispered, as if in confidence, "but maybe..."

At that moment, a subtle vibration emanated from the pocket of one of the guests, followed by a slight buzzing throughout the room. All eyes turned to their phones. A message had just appeared: an official statement published by the Darcy group.

The journalist hesitated, intrigued by the sudden commotion. He checked his phone, his eyes widening as he read the words written on the screen. The statement was concise but striking, with a simplicity that left no room for ambiguity:

 *"The Darcy Group officially confirms the engagement of Mr. Darcy to Miss Clara of Montclair . We hope that the discretion and privacy of this moment will be respected. »*

A silence fell over the room, as if time had stood still. Clara felt the eyes falling on her with a new intensity. She had not anticipated anything from this sudden announcement. Mr. Darcy had never talked about going public with their relationship, and she suddenly realized that he had deliberately chosen this moment, with this crowd and these reporters, to clear things up.

Gabriel, who was observing him from a little further away, approached, laughing softly, visibly amused by the turn of events.

- "Well, Clara, it looks like you're now the most famous bride of the party," he joked, glancing around. "Mr. Darcy really knows how to make an opening." »

Clara, a little unsettled, tried to regain her composure despite the surprise and the agitation buzzing around her. She glanced at Mr. Darcy, stationed a little further away, who continued to display his impassive mask. It was as if he had not made a public statement but simply expressed the obvious, a certainty that he did not question.

The journalist, who had hoped to obtain some confidences, could not hide his excitement. He quickly put his notebook away, a triumphant smile lighting up his face.

- "Miss Clara, could you tell us a few words about what this announcement means to you? » he asked with a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

Clara took a deep breath, searching for the right words. She knew that every sentence spoken would be analyzed, interpreted, amplified. But she didn't want to let herself be trapped in this role of simple fiancée of a business tycoon.

- "As the press release stated, I prefer to keep this private," she said with a kind but firm smile. "Above all, I want to have a pleasant evening with friends. »

Gabriel, still at his side, gave him a knowing look.

- "And I'm sure this evening will be memorable," he added with a laugh, before winking at her.

At that moment, Mr. Darcy finally advanced towards them, once again attracting the attention of the crowd. He approached Clara with quiet confidence, delicately placing his hand on the small of her back, a gesture almost imperceptible but full of meaning. This light but intentional touch seemed to affirm, without a word, that their union was more than a simple declaration. They were good together, despite the mystery, despite the speculation.

- "Clara, are you okay? » he asked in a soft voice, but loud enough for those listening to hear the attention he was giving her.

She nodded, offering him a reassuring smile.

- "Everything is fine, thank you," she whispered, a little surprised by the attention he was paying her in public.

The guests, who continued to observe them, were suspended on every gesture, every look exchanged between them. In the world they encountered, public gestures of this kind were rare and loaded with meaning. Mr. Darcy, a man renowned for his discretion and inaccessibility, appeared for the first time in the company of his fiancée, as if to assert his choice in broad daylight.

Gabriel, although smiling, still seemed slightly withdrawn, observing the interaction between Clara and Mr. Darcy with a mixture of fascination and melancholy. It was as if he became fully aware of the place this man occupied in Clara's heart, despite the complexity of their relationship.

After a few minutes, Mr. Darcy turned to the reporters and guests, thanking them with a courteous but unwavering smile.

- "I thank you all for your presence this evening," he said in a calm voice. "I hope you will respect our wish to maintain some discretion, especially at this time. »

The murmurs slowly quieted, the crowd dispersing, each r carrying on their conversations with respect tinged with curiosity.