Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

ARABELLA CONFESSES

"Good heavens George, whatever is the matter?" Arabella finally broke the silence lingering between them, unable to take his scrutinizing gaze boring into her anymore. "I thought you needed my help with something…", she trailed off, shrugging, not quite sure she understood George at times. Perhaps it was the stress of the day that had him reluctant to talk?

"I do need your help." George settled himself into one of the many leather armchairs in the room, this one facing the large leather chaise that Arabella had been perching on expectantly.

"I see, and would you like to elaborate on just what exactly it is that you need my help with?" Arabella prompted.

"The young Ashenden boy."

"Seriously? Honestly George, Robert is no more a boy than you are," Arabella huffed, crossing her arms over her chest angrily, "and just what is it that Robert has supposedly done to incur your wrath?"

"Robert? When did the two of you become so cozy?"

"We're not." Arabella shook her head at George's pout.

"Yet he chose today of all days, my father's funeral and wake, to attempt to call on you. "

"I see," Arabella chose her words carefully, "and that is why you are here now, acting like a petulant child?"

"I am not acting like a petulant child!" There was a moment of silence in the room before the two old friends started laughing, both realising that George sounded exactly like a petulant child.

"George, look at me," Arabella commanded. "Do you imagine for one moment, that I would ever entertain the notion of someone calling on me on such a day as this? It would only serve to show me what their true character was like, and frankly, it would be one that I have no interest in."

"I see."

"Furthermore, George," Arabella took a deep, calming breath before continuing, "I have no interest in Robert, outside of friendship. I think you'll find, when you're ready, that my heart belongs elsewhere, and it has since I was fourteen years old."

"I'm sorry, please, forgive me? I acted rashly and offended you and for that I am deeply ashamed."

"George, nothing you could ever say could offend me," Arabella smiled gently at the man seated opposite her.

She had long since admired his sense of character, and today only served to prove to her how strong that character truly was. She had wondered, as she rode in the carriage to the church, if George would speak of his father, if he would read a eulogy that was brutally honest, or if he would pepper it with fabrications to make the attending mourners feel some comfort at the loss of their neighbour, friend, and family member. In the end, he had spoken the truth, simply stating that while he was burying his father, he was but a stranger to him, a fact he regretted.

"Come," Arabella held her hand out to George, "let us rejoin the others before they notice us missing and we cause a scandal."

"I wouldn't mind being scandalous with you," George whispered softly into her ear, sending goosebumps racing across her flesh.

"George, I-", Arabella was silenced by George placing a finger across her lips.

"Don't say it," he smiled wryly at her, "I would never tarnish your reputation, or risk your family name, especially on a day like today. I will not mar what we have by mixing in memories of a man I have long despised."

George cupped Arabella's cheek softly, nodded once, then strode from the room. By the time Arabella had composed herself enough to re-join the funeral guests, George was deep in conversation with the Duke of Astor, a rather boorish man with a penchant for clubs of ill repute, and the women who worked there. Arabella couldn't for the life of her imagine what he could possibly have to say to George, but given his deep frown and hushed tones, it was a conversation of great importance.

As Arabella circulated throughout the room, snippets of conversations reached her ears, for even a funeral was a social occasion, an opportunity to share news. As far as Arabella could tell, Lady Fitzgerald's daughter was engaged, a lengthy engagement was expected of the pair, with her not yet finished her season. Arabella wondered silently if the daughter was hoping for a better offer, surely if she was besotted with this beau, she would marry him and be done.

Arabella snuck a glance at George. Arabella knew that when the time came, she wouldn't stand for a long engagement, regardless the reason.