Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

“ T hank you so much, Lady Morley,” Hanna said with a bright smile on her face. “I cannot wait to meet Lord Farnsworth. He sounds like a dream.”

“He is a fine young gentleman, and though he is just a viscount, his estate is grand, and his family is very well-connected. And if what I’m hearing is true, he will soon be elevated to Earl.”

“Earl,” Hanna sighed dreamily. “Can you believe it? I might become a countess,” she added as her sister squeezed her hand. “I know it will be wonderful. I can hardly wait.”

She noticed Emma standing beside her, her expression one of concern.

“We will find the right man for you as well,” she reassured her.

Lady Morley nodded. “Indeed. It is a shame that the baron I had in mind for you has run off with one of his maids while I was away. But it can’t be helped.”

“I daresay it was fortunate he ran away with his maid before he was introduced to Emma,” Harry commented as he stepped out of his study. “I beg your pardon for eavesdropping, but I could not help but overhear.”

“Your Grace, I had hoped to see you today,” Lady Morley said, curtsying deeply.

“I am glad you could come, and so soon after your trip to Scotland. I am very grateful that you were able to take on my sisters-in-law.”

“Of course, it is my pleasure. Anything I can do for the Duke of Sheffield. Although I must say, I was a little out of sorts when you did not consult me regarding your desire to marry. I had a conversation with your uncle not long ago when I dined at his home. Sir Richard mentioned nothing about your desire to marry.”

Arabella noticed how Harry’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “My uncle is not aware of all my personal engagements. Arabella and I had a brief romance. I wish her father hadn’t caught us in the library that day—that way we could have continued our courtship and romance a little longer.”

Arabella smiled. A few days ago, she might have taken his comment as a slight, thinking he truly wished her father hadn’t caught them so that he wouldn’t have had to marry her. But now she knew he had only said it to give the illusion that there had been a courtship that lasted longer than half an hour before they were discovered.

It had been three days since Harry had kissed her, and while they had not spent much time together since, he had been warmer to her. He had kissed her again, not just once or twice, but four times. Once, his kiss had almost led to more, and she found herself hoping that, at last, their marriage might be consummated. But at the last moment, Harry had been called away.

However, she hoped that over the next few days, their relationship would develop in such a way that she might finally call herself a woman and not a girl. At the thought of it, her heart thundered, and her palms grew sweaty. She reminded herself of where she was.

“We are exceedingly grateful for your services, Lady Morley,” Harry said.

“I am honored to serve you.” Lady Morley then turned to Emma. “Lady Emma, do not fret, I shall think of somebody wonderful. I have someone in mind, but first I must ensure that the young gentleman is not otherwise occupied.”

This cheered Emma up, and she smiled widely. “Wonderful. I can hardly wait.”

“I will send a message to Hayward Manor this evening once I have made my inquiries. And if the gentleman suits, I can set up a meeting. And Lady Hanna, I will arrange a meeting between you and your gentleman as well.”

With that, Lady Morley excused herself.

Emma and Hanna grinned from cheek to cheek.

Arabella turned and smiled up at her husband. “Thank you so much. It was so kind of you to arrange this for us.”

“I promised I would, didn’t I? And I am nothing if not a man of my word.” He placed his hand on the small of her back, and she felt a delightful tingle.

Later that evening, Arabella was more than delighted when Harry joined her for dinner. He had promised he would, but she was still a little wary of his promises. However, they settled at the table, with her to his right.

When the servants cleared away their bowls of white soup, she looked up and rubbed her hands together. “I can’t wait to see what the main course is. You wouldn’t tell me.”

“That’s because I instructed them not to. I wanted it to be a surprise.” Harry clicked his fingers.

Two footmen entered the dining room, carrying platters covered with silver domes, and placed three of them in front of the couple.

Harry placed his hand on top of Arabella’s. She stared at it and then at him, willing her hand not to shake beneath his.

“I hope it’s to your liking,” he said with a smile and a wink.

Her mouth fell open as she felt the color drain from her face. “Hare?” she gasped, recalling the disaster at the wedding feast.

He chuckled. “I’m jesting,” he reassured her, running his thumb over the back of her hand.

She wished she hadn’t worn gloves so she might feel his touch better. Why was it that every time he was tender with her, some other garment prevented her from feeling properly?

He then removed his hand entirely and lifted the dome, revealing breaded cutlets.

“What is this?” she asked.

“It’s called schnitzel. It comes from the Continent. The Germans are very fond of it. I ate it once at the club when we were hosting a minor member of the German Royal Family. It was delicious. It is eaten with salted potatoes and buttered vegetables. However, I ordered mushy peas instead.”

Arabella stared at her food, unsure what to make of it. It looked delicious, but she wasn’t familiar with it. The footman placed a cutlet of meat, potatoes, and peas on her plate. Flavor burst in her mouth as she took a bite of the schnitzel.

“This is magnificent,” she moaned and swallowed before dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief.

“It is, isn’t it? For dessert, we’re having flummery.”

“That sounds wonderful. Thank you so much.”

“It isn’t just for you. It’s for me. I thought it would be nice if we had dinner together every day, don’t you?”

“I have a great many ideas of things we could do together. I thought perhaps we could go to the market, and I could accompany you to town one day when you go for business, and we could?—”

She noticed the shift immediately and knew she had pushed too hard.

“Of course, when it suits you,” she added quickly.

Harry smiled and took her hand again. “One day soon, I promise. But I am very busy right now, and there are some things I need to take care of before we can truly enjoy our time together. And some obstacles must be removed.”

“Obstacles?” She frowned.

She was about to ask when a loud banging sounded at the front door.

Harry turned his head. “Goodness gracious, who could it be at this hour?”

“Whoever it is, they sound as though they are in a hurry,” Arabella noted as Mr. Baxter hurried to the front door.

The second the door opened, Arabella leaped up before she heard her sisters’ voices and could tell that something was wrong. She jumped up so fast that her chair almost toppled over and then rushed into the hall to find Emma and Hanna out of breath and discombobulated.

“Goodness gracious, what happened?” she asked.

Hanna gasped for air. “Lady Morley sent her note like she said she would?—”

“She has found me a match—the Baron Hennessey,” Emma blurted out. “I had admired him from afar, so I was very excited to hear that he… Well…” she trailed off, completely out of breath.

Arabella looked outside and then turned back to them. “Did you ride?”

Emma nodded. “We did. It was the quickest way to get here. Our horses were already saddled because we were going out for an evening ride. Anyway, Father found the note and took it from me when he saw that I was so excited. He will be here any moment.”

“Father is coming here?” Arabella gasped, alarmed. She looked at Harry, who shook his head.

“Do not fret. But pray, why is he angry? You finally have serious prospects. I do not understand his rage.”

“It’s because of the prospect’s rank ,” Emma emphasized. “The Baron is not good enough for him.”

“I see. It’s not that his son-in-law is a duke. He thinks that his daughter should marry a duke as well.” Harry sighed. “What an ungrateful weasel.” But then his eyes went wide. “I beg your pardon, I should not have said that about your father.”

“It is true,” Emma said.

Arabella and Hanna both nodded.

However, before anything further could be said, a carriage with the crest of the Earl of Worcester pulled up outside. Hanna and Emma inhaled sharply, and Arabella understood that they were fearful of their father.

Not too long ago, she would have felt the same way. But now, thanks to her husband, she did not have to fear him anymore.

“Go to my chamber,” she instructed them, then turned to one of the footmen, who instantly stood to full attention. “Wilson, go up with my sisters and stand outside my chamber door.”

As soon as her sisters left the room, she turned to Harry. “I apologize for all of this—I know this is not what you wanted.”

He shook his head. “Do not apologize. I knew who I was marrying. I knew about your father. We will deal with this. Trust me, you will have no more trouble from him.”

Arabella desperately wanted to believe him—she had spent too many years in that house with that man to be able to harbor the smallest hope.

She heard the carriage door open and slam shut, and when Harry walked to the door, she hesitated for a second.

What would her father want? What did he expect? What if he and Harry came to blows? No, her father would not be that foolish. Harry was twenty years younger, taller, and fitter—there was no way her father would start a physical fight with him. And yet, as she watched Harry walk to the front door, she could not help but worry.

“I am frightened,” she admitted, surprised by the tears welling up in her eyes.

Harry gently took her hand in his. “You need not be. This is our home. We are the Duke and Duchess of Sheffield. Nobody will harm your sisters. Trust me.”

As he smiled at her, she felt warmth spread through her, knowing that he meant it.

He had promised to keep her safe, and he would now.