Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Henry was uninjured after falling into the water. For a while, Robert had despaired, as he looked at the unconscious body lying on the grass. The boy had clung so bravely to that willow branch and only slipped underwater in the last few seconds.

So close to death and the fragility of life. Well, he could help by teaching his nephew and Henry to swim, starting tomorrow.

The doctor had finished his checks when Arabella arrived in the nursery. He, too, had asked for a demonstration of the lifesaving technique, and Robert had decided all his estate workers should learn how to revive someone who had fallen in the water.

As the doctor left, Robert suggested they went to talk in his study, but only if she felt strong enough. Every time he saw Arabella, he wanted to draw her into his arms and share some of his strength. He noticed the dark circles under her eyes and knew she must be exhausted.

Once they were seated, she looked at him with her alluring eyes and thanked him for saving Henry.

"It wasn't just me. Elinor's nursing efficiency made a difference. I happened to know a technique for reviving people after they become distressed in the water." He smiled. "I shall follow the doctor's orders and begin more swimming lessons tomorrow."

"He loves that lake, so he needs to learn to swim. Freddy, too," Arabella agreed. He reached for her hand and was a little surprised when he felt her almost pull away.

He couldn't tell what it was precisely, but something had changed. He sensed a distance, a reticence in her manner. Was it to do with Rosalind? He felt sure she had believed him about that incident on the moorland path.

But there was definitely an invisible barrier between them this evening. Perhaps it was the shock of Henry disappearing.

"You must get some rest," he told Arabella gently, trying to find that connection again.

"I fell asleep in the tub in a hot mustard bath," she told him, a trace of humour in her voice. "I suspect I may sleep forever."

"There is a matter I'd like to talk about, but it can wait till tomorrow," Robert said.

"No, no, I feel quite refreshed after a bath with your nanny's concoction of herbs," answered Arabella.

He waited a few seconds, wondering how to choose his words, knowing it was never easy when love was involved. "I was thinking about what Mr Dawkins said earlier. It seems so long ago, now, but it was just this evening."

"He seems very thorough. I trust his judgement," she said, waiting expectantly.

"If it will give Henry security, then I've been thinking. I believe we should proceed with our courtship and announce our engagement immediately. That way, you have an immediate connection to me and my family," Robert said quietly.

He saw how her eyes widened as she stared at him open-mouthed. She didn't speak.

"You heard what Mr Dawkins said about marriage and the protection it could give," he added quickly.

"He did say that. And I never thanked you for the offer you made just before we got the news about Henry running away." She looked around the room, holding her hands tightly together in her lap. "It was very kind of you."

She didn't make eye contact with him, and he felt again that there was a barrier between them, which hadn't been there this morning. She hadn't responded to his suggestion of an immediate engagement and seemed to be holding herself rigidly in the chair.

He'd chosen the wrong moment. He'd hoped that knowing he was happy to announce an engagement would have reassured her.

I know this isn't how I'd have planned a proposal and engagement. I know that would have happened in a few weeks' time. It makes sense to bring this forward and take away the worry about Christopher's legal challenge.

Once the idea came to me, I knew it was right. I'm glad to announce an engagement sooner.

Yet he knew Arabella didn't seem overjoyed at his suggestion. That was understandable, but something was wrong here. Had he misread her wishes somehow?

"What do you think?" he asked. "Should we announce our betrothal? I believe it would give strength to your claim. In fact, from what Mr Dawkins said, it would stop any petition by Farrington."

He heard her very quiet, almost inaudible response. "Then we should most definitely do that. Will you speak to my uncle for courtesy's sake? I believe he would like that."

Robert looked at his bride-to be intently, knowing something was wrong, but he still couldn't work out what had changed. He'd been excited at his idea, knowing he was going to propose in due course, and this brought everything forward. He'd thought Arabella would be delighted, but instead, she looked on the verge of tears.

"I'll talk with Sir Joseph and tell Mama, then put out the announcement," he said, his tone questioning.

When she didn't respond and stood to leave the room, he took her hand and raised it to his lips. "I wish it were different, and we'd had a chance to do some of the romantic things I'd planned. I do believe it is better this way to give you and Henry the certainty you need concerning Farrington and the court."

She murmured something, and as his lips brushed her hand, he saw a look on her face more like the ones he remembered. He opened the door and asked a passing footman to find Dorcas to come and assist Lady Farrington to her bedchamber.

He watched her walk away and felt strangely empty. He'd thought an engagement would bring her happiness. He had planned never to become engaged again after the fiasco with Rosalind when he had been so much younger. He'd overcome his aversion to marriage, and now he was betrothed again. He'd expected a different reaction from Arabella and decided it must be due to the stress of the day.

But a thought at the back of his mind was questioning. Maybe she didn't want to marry him? Had she only agreed to marriage to protect her son? Had he made the wrong decision?

His emotions were in turmoil, but he'd had lots of experience in dampening them down and carrying on with everyday life. Perhaps tomorrow would bring that sparkle back. He longed to see those green eyes smiling at him with love and affection rather than gratitude.

As he was leaving his study, he saw his sister Elinor passing through the hall and gestured for her to join him.

"Robert, what a day. I thought I would be exhausted, but instead, I'm quite famished. Mama has supper on hold, and we are all to join her in a half hour," Elinor informed him.

"Come and join me to talk," he replied. "I find I am in rather a strange, melancholy mood this evening."

"I truly thought that we had lost little Lord Henry Farrington," said Elinor, sinking back onto the settee.

"He'd stopped breathing. I thought he had gone," agreed Robert.

"It's dreadful what Arabella and Henry have been through since she was widowed. Let's hope Mr Dawkins can speedily counter this legal case," replied Elinor.

"He seems confident and has already filed papers with the court. He believes Farrington has given false information, and it is only a matter of time before his case is thrown out."

"Time, that's the problem," mused Elinor. "Mr Christopher Farrington may present himself any day, and until the new evidence is presented, he has the judge's favour."

"I'm about to tell Mama, but I shall be announcing my engagement to Lady Arabella tomorrow," Robert told her, watching to gauge her reaction.

Elinor smiled. "I could see you were courting her. Whenever I watch you together, I see happiness," she said, with a look of joy.

"I know I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Even this morning, it felt as though we both wanted the same thing. There's something changed this evening, though," he confided.

"The anxiety about Henry, perhaps?"

"I'm telling myself it's that, but I suspect there is more to it. It's as though there is an invisible barrier between us."

"What happened when you returned? Did you say something to upset Arabella?"

"No, Elinor, I swear. All I did was tell her we should announce our engagement immediately as that would be best for Henry."

His sister looked at him with pity. "Erm, that's how you proposed to her? And all this immediately after she thought her son had died? You idiot," Elinor scolded him.

"I thought if we got engaged immediately, then it would give her peace of mind," replied Robert, a little confused.

"I'm sure it does, my dear brother, as far as Henry is concerned. However, what you describe isn't quite the way men usually propose. There is often a twinkling starlit sky, perhaps some dancing and gentle words of love," Elinor explained to him.

"You mean I got it wrong?"

"Undoubtedly. Even a widow like Arabella must hope for a little romance, a proposal with love, and a vision of a shared future together. I suspect in your concern for her, you, erm, made it sound like a business solution."

He started at her, beginning to realize what had happened.

"But Dawkins even suggested that if Arabella were married, the legal case would disappear," replied Robert, trying to defend himself.

"I'm sure he did, and that's all correct. The trouble is, it sounds like you proposed a marriage of convenience," Elinor told him.

"Oh, Elinor," said Robert. "I'm not sure that I even proposed at all. I just told Arabella it would be good to announce our engagement now."

"Robert, you are a complete nincompoop," she said, throwing one of the stuffed cushions at him. "You do love her?"

"Yes, I would have asked her to marry me in a few weeks. I see this as bringing it forward."

"You see it that way, but does she? If Farrington wasn't threatening to take Henry away, then I know you would have proposed very differently."

"I would. You're right," Robert agreed.

"You had that appalling experience with Rosalind some years ago, and Arabella lost a husband whom she loved very much. Neither of you were going to jump into an engagement without being sure of each other. Can you see the problem?" Elinor asked.

"She thinks I proposed to safeguard Henry and not because I love her," Robert replied, knowing Elinor was right, and he had been blind to the effect of such a clumsy proposal.

"Exactly. You're going to have to put it right, and I know she loves you, so I'm sure you can. Now, let's go and find supper. Then you can tell Mama your news."

***

Robert had a busy schedule of meetings from breakfast through to nuncheon. He quickly completed his business with Jason Brown, confirming the appointment of Judd Stephenson as lake keeper.

Then he met Mr Dawkins, who expressed concern about Henry's recovery.

"Oh, he's fine. Already back at lessons, and a swimming lesson planned for this afternoon," Robert happily informed him.

"I received a satchel of new documents forwarded from my office in Harrogate," Mr Dawkins told Robert. "And there is definite proof that Christopher Farrington's letter about removing Henry is fraudulent. No doubt about it."

"It's good to have the evidence," Robert said.

"The bad news is that Farrington is in the area. He stayed at the Rose and Crown in Harrogate and has yet to settle his bill. He wasn't a popular guest."

"I'm about to announce my engagement to Lady Arabella Farrington," he told the solicitor.

"An engagement to a peer of the realm will make a difference in the short term. And I wish you all future happiness, Your Grace. Can I instruct the court that this is the case?"

"Absolutely, Dawkins," confirmed Robert.

Taking mid-morning tea with his mother had been pleasant enough. She understood the reasons for announcing the engagement but echoed his sister, wishing a longer courtship had been possible.

"I like your Arabella," his mother said. "She's had a lot to deal with in life, yet I sense an optimistic spirit. She will suit you very well. I have lots to discuss with her, as she will be mistress of Castle Montbury, but I suspect it would overwhelm her at the moment. I shall wait a little while longer.

"I can move to the Dower House when you are married. You must discuss with Arabella and work out what she would prefer. I'm aware I can be quite a dominating character," his mother added with a smile.

Robert almost choked on the green China tea that his mother preferred. His formidable mama clearly had insight into how people saw her.

"Once the anxiety around Henry's guardianship has settled, I'll invite her to get to know me. I believe she is already firm friends with Elinor. The two boys are benefitting so much from being together. I do hope Elinor stays at Montbury when Lord Colonel Rathby returns from service."

"She is in no hurry to return home. I believe their house it is rented out for another two years. This place is big enough that they could have their own wing," Robert responded.

Eventually, he emerged from his mother's morning room to seek out Arabella. The boys had gone to lessons in the garden classroom, and he was engaged to teach swimming later in the afternoon. He found Chalston and asked where he could find Lady Farrington.

She'd gone.

The party from Horton Hall had returned home as the house guests returned from Harrogate. He waved at Colonel and Lady Lloyd and knew he should make more of an effort to spend time with them.

"We just heard about the little lad going missing yesterday. Deuced sorry I wasn't around to help find him," said the colonel.

"We could have done with you," agreed Robert. "It was touch and go for a while. Dr Alwood tells me that both boys should learn to swim immediately, so a lesson this afternoon."

"Can I join you?" asked the colonel. "Give Julia a chance to catch up with Elinor, and I'd like nothing better than a swim and helping those two rapscallions learn."

"You're on. I'll find you to walk down there later," Robert said, happy to have support managing the boys.

Would Arabella be there? He hoped so. He needed to see her and explain that the engagement was about more than the court case.

***

They had taken the boat out to the island for the swimming lesson. The little beach and the shallow water were perfect for swimming, and Robert wanted them to be in a different place, away from the spot where Henry nearly drowned.

No Arabella, and no Emma either. Nathaniel, Colonel Lloyd, and Robert set off with the boys for an afternoon of swimming.

They splashed, and the boys learned how to kick their legs. They floated holding logs for buoyancy. Freddy surprised them all by suddenly floating on his back, and Henry immediately copied him.

The dogs splashed around them, natural swimmers who chased sticks thrown into the water.

"They'll be swimming in no time," said the colonel. "I'm going to show them how to tread water. They can hold one of those cedar logs and move their legs while staying upright."

He went back into the water while Nathaniel and Robert watched from the shore.

"I heard you were engaged," began Nathaniel to Robert.

"Yes, quite a surprise that you weren't engaged before me. It all happened so quickly," Robert replied.

Nathaniel looked wistful. "We should have got engaged the day on the island. It all went wrong."

"I thought when you took so long to arrive at the island that you might be proposing," Robert commented.

"I was, well, sort of was," Nathaniel mumbled, obviously embarrassed.

"Did she turn you down? I'd be very surprised," asked Robert.

"No, indeed not. Miss Emma was very receptive to marrying me," confirmed Nathaniel.

"Then what's the problem?"

"I'm afraid I told her we should wait until after her first year in London," admitted Nathaniel.

"You did?" Robert couldn't hide his surprise.

"It's difficult. I don't want to encourage her to marry me when she hasn't had a chance to have a season. She might find someone else," explained Nathaniel.

How easy it is to give others advice, he thought, even when the course of his own love wasn't flowing smoothly.

"Do you want my thoughts? However, I warn you that I'm no expert in matters of the heart," confessed Robert.

Nathaniel nodded.

"Miss Emma seems to me to be a strong-minded young woman who knows her own heart. She wanted to marry you. The issue is about this London season and suggesting that she wait a year."

"If I'd merely proposed, she would have been delighted. I know that now," Nathaniel said with misery clouding his features.

"If you want Emma and are ready to be married, you need to consider the timing. Why not talk to Sir Joseph and get his take on this," suggested Robert.

"I shall. We seem a little closer, after rescuing Henry, but this isn't how I want it to be."

"Make your lady feel special. Talk with her about waiting, but listen to what she says," Robert told him.

And if only it were that simple as he thought of a pair of peridot green eyes smiling in the sunshine.