Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

T he following morning, Arabella leaped out of bed, forgetting to use the steps, her bare feet landing on the hardwood floor. However, she didn’t mind. For the first time in a long while, she felt hopeful.

She rushed across the room to the bell pull by the door and tugged it to summon Mabel. As she waited, she paused in front of the mirror. Did she look different today? She hadn’t taken a proper look at herself since her wedding and wondered if becoming a married woman had changed her appearance somehow. Yet, as she examined her reflection, she saw the same young woman staring back at her—a soft, baby-faced complexion, the same plain chestnut-brown hair, and bright, sparkling eyes. Perhaps her sisters would notice a difference. It had only been forty-eight hours since she last saw them, but it felt like an eternity—the longest they had ever been apart.

Oddly, she hadn’t felt the passage of time. Her wedding day had been a whirlwind, followed by the unpleasant confrontation with her father, and then the journey to her new home. There had hardly been a moment to miss them. Yesterday had been filled with righteous anger after Harry had neglected her. Now, with a clearer mind, she realized how much she missed her sisters.

She resolved to visit them today and share everything that had happened. She would tell them that Harry had said he would never love her, but after their evening together, she wondered if there might be a chance. She needed their advice, their guidance, to ensure she didn’t make a fool of herself.

Arabella hurried to her armoire, opening it to reveal an array of dresses, all new and beautiful. She noticed that many were in shades of Pomona green and lavender—her favorite colors. Had Harry ordered these for her? How had he known her preferences? Could it be that he had cared enough to make inquiries?

Her heart fluttered at the thought, but she reminded herself that it was just speculation, not certainty.

A knock on the door pulled her out of her reverie, and Mabel entered.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” Mabel said cheerfully, though Arabella noted the fatigue in her eyes, marked by dark circles.

“Good morning, Mabel. I intend to visit my sisters today, so I shall not need you for most of the day. You may have the day off if you wish.”

Mabel paused, blinking in surprise. “Are you quite certain, Your Grace? You do not wish for me to accompany you to your father’s home?”

“No, I think it would be better if I went alone. I shall return for dinner, but until then, I won’t require your services. However, I would appreciate your help in dressing.”

“Of course,” Mabel said, setting down the basin she had been carrying. She swiftly arranged the washbowl on the dresser and began preparing Arabella for the day. “Which gown do you fancy, Your Grace?”

Arabella reached for a gown made of muslin and tulle, in a combination of lavender and Pomona green. “This one,” she replied, running her fingers over the delicate fabric. “These are my favorite colors.”

“I know,” Mabel murmured with a smile.

Arabella’s smile widened. So, Harry had made inquiries, after all.

“Did His Grace tell you this?” she asked.

Mabel’s expression changed. “No, Your Grace,” she replied, a bit flustered. “He asked us to speak with your father’s staff to learn your preferences. We did not discover much, but your sister Lady Emma was kind enough to share your favorite colors and materials. Had there been more time, we would have been better prepared, but your marriage was rather hastily arranged.”

Arabella nodded, though she barely heard Mabel’s explanation. Of course, Harry hadn’t asked directly—he didn’t care for her that way. He had merely had others in his household find out what she liked and disliked. That had to count for something, didn’t it?

Once Mabel had finished helping her dress, Arabella made her way down the stairs, her hand gliding along the smooth banister. Below, she heard voices coming from the dining room, and her heart skipped a beat. Harry was already there. She had hoped they might breakfast together this morning. But as she entered the room, she saw that he had already finished. A plate lay in front of him, crumbs scattered across it, and a knife smeared with jam lay beside it.

He looked up at her over his teacup and nodded, before setting the cup down.

“Good morning, Arabella,” he greeted, removing a newspaper from the chair beside him and pulling it out for her. “I trust you slept well?”

“I did, and you?” she asked, sitting down.

“Quite well, thank you. I must beg your pardon for having breakfast without you, but I’m in a bit of a rush. I must go to town. I hope you won’t mind spending the day on your own.”

Arabella’s heart sank. He planned to be in town all day. If she hadn’t decided to visit her sisters, she would have been alone again in this vast house.

“I’m going to Hayward to see my sisters,” she said, trying to mask her disappointment. “Unless you would rather I stay here and wait for you? Perhaps we could have a late luncheon together?”

Harry shook his head, his expression unchanged. “I’m afraid I won’t be back until late. It’s best if we don’t plan on taking our meals together unless prearranged. You can always send Mabel to Brandon, and they can coordinate our schedules.”

Coordinate schedules. What had she been thinking? Just because they had a pleasant evening didn’t mean he was going to change his mind. He most certainly didn’t seem inclined to do so now.

“Then I’ll stay at Hayward and have dinner with my sisters as well,” she said, trying to keep her voice even.

At that, Harry’s expression shifted slightly. “Will your father be there?”

“I assume so, since it is his home,” she replied, unable to keep a hint of irritation from her voice.

“Perhaps I should send Brandon with you, just in case. Your last meeting with your father was rather unpleasant, and I wouldn’t want you to be in a situation where he might harm you.”

Arabella felt her emotions swirling. One moment he acted as if he didn’t care about her, and the next he was concerned for her safety. What was she to make of this?

“My father is mercurial, but he has never threatened me physically. And I believe you made it quite clear to him that I now have a higher standing. I’m sure all will be well. There’s no need to trouble Brandon.”

“Very well, but if the situation becomes uncomfortable, do not hesitate to bring your sisters here. They are welcome to visit for a few days anytime—just let me know in advance. Unless it’s an emergency.”

His tone was sincere, and Arabella sensed that he genuinely cared for her and her sisters, even though he didn’t know them. Unsure of what else to say, she nodded.

Harry then rose, straightening his green waistcoat and glancing at his golden pocket watch. “Well, I must be off,” he said, but then hesitated. “I was wondering—would you care to join me at church this Sunday? It might be good for people to see us together. As you said, we must cement the validity of our marriage in the eyes of the town.”

“Yes, I would like that. And perhaps we could promenade afterward?” she suggested, though she inwardly chastised herself for pressing the matter.

To her surprise, he smiled. “That sounds rather pleasant. I actually thought to introduce you to someone at church—a Mr. Willoughby. Are you familiar with him?”

She shook her head, but then the name sparked a memory. “Harbert Willoughby? The violinist?”

“He’s not just a violinist—he also plays the harp, the pianoforte, and several other instruments. He used to have a career playing in the finest orchestras in the country, but now he only teaches,” Harry explained.

“I heard he was fully retired,” she said, intrigued.

“He is, but he was a friend of my father’s, and it was he who taught me to play the harp. I thought, if you like, I could speak to him about teaching you to play the violin.”

Arabella’s mouth fell open in surprise. “I would love that, Harry. Very much.”

“Good. We are in agreement then. Now, I really must be off. I hope you enjoy your day,” he said, and with that, he was gone, leaving her once again uncertain of his true nature and desires.