Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Arabella found a place in the garden where she felt enclosed by green boughs all around. No one would think to look for her here, and she could sit and think about her life over the last twenty-four hours.

They were settled at Horton Hall, and Henry loved this place so much that he had run away rather than leave his friends there. Even now, he was with Nathaniel and Freddy, enjoying learning about the world of history, literature, and nature in a very practical, outdoor classroom. Nathaniel and Emma would always have her endless thanks for creating such an imaginative approach to learning for Henry and Freddy.

She felt a moment of sorrow knowing the courtship between Emma and Nathaniel had faltered at the moment when their friends and families had expected an engagement. She picked a daisy from the grass beneath her feet and looked at its shape and colour.

In the centre, the bright yellow shone out, the delicate white petals creating an endless circle. She picked another and began to make a daisy chain, something she hadn't done since she'd been a child.

Maybe that was the answer, to look at things simply. It didn't matter what she did; she had to make sure that Christopher Farrington never took Henry. Robert had sent a messenger over to tell her that there was now definitive evidence that Farrington had sent fraudulent documents, and there was no requirement from the court for him to remove Henry.

It would soon be over, she hoped. However complicated my feelings for the Duke of Montbury, my way forward is as simple as this daisy. I must protect Henry and make sure he is happy and well.

As she sat in this shady place, hiding away and reflecting on her choices, she knew Henry was at the lake, splashing about and learning to swim.

And I am engaged to be married to Robert, Duke of Montbury. I know I love him; it happened gradually, but I knew that evening at the Beehive Tavern. The way he takes over my thoughts, the excitement I feel knowing that he will be in the room, and the sadness as I leave him are far more than friendship. This love didn't start with a glance across a ballroom, a look of longing behind a fan at the opera. But it is a deep connection between us, which I do not believe can ever break.

So why do I feel so sad?

It isn't how I expected it to be. When he mentioned courtship, my heart sang like an aria at an opera. I could have been on stage singing to my hero. Then the suggestion that we announce an engagement immediately to ensure Henry's safety.

Of course, I would agree. I need Henry to be safe. I love Robert. Yet …

There feels little love in this situation. An engagement for sound, sensible reasons. An arrangement that protects my little boy. Yet I long for the golden heart of this daisy. The brightness of a love that vanquishes the shadows in life. A marriage that has love at its centre.

The reality of a marriage for convenience. She welcomed it for Henry's sake while her heart searched wistfully for love.

Later today, she would set out some clues for the treasure hunt, then walk to the castle to spend time with Elinor on the final preparations for the midsummer ball. Tomorrow, the day before the ball, was the treasure hunt and picnic, and Henry could hardly contain himself with excitement.

They would stay at Castle Montbury the evening after the treasure hunt, and their ball gowns would be delivered to Castle Montbury, where they would have the final fitting on the morning of the ball. Elinor was determined to make this into a special event.

She had not seen Robert since the night when Henry had run away. He had sent regular messages, informing her of the progress of legal matters, with a line or two about the announcement of their engagement in the London newspapers.

As she went to nuncheon, she noticed another envelope with Robert's now familiar copperplate handwriting. She didn't open it immediately, expecting more of the same legal updates. When she eventually opened it, there was a difference.

Christopher would lose his case, as the evidence spoke for itself. However, when the judge would get to look at the paperwork was uncertain and could be up to two months.

She sighed. Robert had been right about the engagement, as legal matters rarely resolved quickly.

She had noticed with surprise another packet enclosed in the large envelope. This one just had her name on it. She opened it carefully and read the words in surprise.

Dearest, Loveliest Arabella,

I hope to see you again very soon. Too much time has passed since we were together.

Our engagement is announced to the ton.

I long for a day when we have no cares in the world and can row out to the island and look at the horizon. A simple life with fewer complications.

I enclose this token; it belonged to my grandmother. The colour reminds me of your eyes. I hope when you wear it, it will remind you of me.

You light up my life,

Ever yours,

Robert, Duke of Montbury

A pendant with a glowing green peridot fell into her palm. The design was older, with intricate filigree around the stone. As she held it to the light, it sparkled, changing colour as it spun around. She placed it around her neck, closing the clasp.

It reminded her of Robert. She felt a little confused, but reading those words has made her feel calmer and more poised. It was more than her concern for Henry that was giving her a melancholy mood.

The colour of this peridot reminds him of my eyes. She gazed at the green stone and closed her eyes, remembering that special moment on the island.

The loving words lifted her spirits as she gathered her basket with clues for the hunt. It didn't take long to set out the clues on the Horton Hall estate and around the side of the lake nearest to the hall.

Jim, the stable hand who used to work at the Beehive, would distribute the other clues. She could have asked Judd to help, but she enjoyed a walk in the sunshine and could imagine Henry's face as he found the clues. As she looked out towards the direction of the lake, she felt the heavy pendant around her neck and the feeling of comfort and calm that cocooned her body.

After hiding the clues, she climbed up to the castle, which was in a state of upheaval as the house staff prepared for the ball.

"I declare I shouldn't have suggested a treasure hunt the day before the ball, but I thought it would make it more special for the boys," said Elinor, looking flustered.

"Well, maybe it's best to be out of the house while it is in chaos. And I'm pretty sure Mr Chalston knows how to prepare for a large event," Arabella told her.

She sensed rather than heard the person arriving behind her. The cloying scent of sultry spice warned her who it was.

"Rosalind," said Elinor. "You see we are at sixes and sevens with preparation for the ball. Can I help you? Mama will be in her morning room, and I haven't seen Simon this morning."

"I did, in fact, come to congratulate Lady Farrington on her conquest of the duke," Rosalind said, although her tone was far from complimentary.

Arabella curtseyed, feeling the hairs on her arms stand on edge. The duchess looked her directly in the eye, and the emptiness of those limpid blue pools was chilling.

"Quite a surprise to hear the news. They do say still waters run deep," and she laughed in such a way that Elinor looked at her with concern.

"I recall when Robert and I became betrothed, his mama organized a support party to celebrate, and I believe we had a ball in our honour. What is this event you're doing today? A treasure hunt? Well, do enjoy it. I'm having fittings for my ball gown all afternoon," the duchess said condescendingly.

She looked at Arabella and what she was wearing with a look of total disdain. "I look forward to seeing your gowns." Before either could reply, she had disappeared towards the orangery.

"I feel quite cold," shivered Arabella, remembering how she had seen the duchess enclosed in the duke's arms on that moorland path.

"I suspect she thinks we will be dressed in grey dimity for the ball. Mrs Cribbage has flair in her designs, and Rosalind is going to be surprised," said Elinor with a smile.

"I don't think she wishes me well," mused Arabella. "She seems to dislike me intensely."

"Never got over Robert. It's the green-eyed monster eating her up," replied Elinor, and she was deadly serious.

***

"Mama, I've found a clue," came an excited voice, and Arabella raced towards Henry and Freddy, who had located their first clue.

Two heads touching, the boys concentrated on deciphering the clue. "I think the clue is next to the chicken coop," said Freddy, and they raced off together.

Some of the adults were joining in the treasure hunt; the others were waiting by the lake shore, looking forward to the picnic. Only Colonel and Lady Lloyd from the house party had joined the treasure hunt, making it feel like a family occasion.

The exciting part was when they were ready to find the clues on the Isle of Avalon, and Robert was ready to row them across to search for the clues and buried treasure there.

The dowager stood with Elinor and Arabella and told them what a wonderful, relaxing day this had been. "Some time out to laugh and have fun was exactly what they had all been needing," she said.

They heard shrieks of excitement from the island. "They must have found the gold doubloons," said Arabella.

"They have had such a wonderful day," added Elinor.

"And I must say," said the dowager, "as it is the first opportunity I have had, that I am delighted the boys will be family together now that you and Robert are to marry. I am truly delighted at your news."

Arabella felt reassured and knew this was genuine warmth from the dowager duchess.

"We must meet, my dear, and talk of household matters and how you would like things to proceed, as you will be mistress of Castle Montbury," the dowager said to Arabella. "However, I suggest we leave that till this situation with your co-guardian is resolved."

Arabella stared at her dumbstruck. For some reason, she had not thought about the role she would take on as Duchess of Montbury. Her heart filled with compassion for the dowager who had been mistress of the castle since her marriage and was being so generous at handing over the chatelaine's chains. She knew they could talk in the future and decide on an approach that still made her soon-to-be mother-in-law feel involved and important at Castle Montbury.

The dowager excelled herself at the picnic, which was served next to the lake. This time, the house staff brought hot food packed into wooden boxes surrounded by straw for insulation. The food was delicious, and everyone declared they should have picnics more often.

Henry and Freddy had a haul of coins, or treasure, to take away from their adventure.

Arabella looked around the party, seeing happy faces everywhere. This had been a day full of fun and memories. Her heart melted as she watched Henry and the joy of life he had found at Montbury.

They all walked back to the castle together. As they arrived, the dowager split off to go and check on those house party guests who had chosen not to attend the picnic and who had been left a cold collation in the dining room.

The boys raced upstairs to find Nanny and ask if Dash could join them in the nursery again. Arabella suspected she would say yes to their request. Tabitha had been given time off as Nanny was more than capable of dealing with both boys.

They gathered together in the smaller drawing room as a family, where there was a smaller cold collation on the sideboard.

She had spent very little time with Robert that day. Their eyes had met several times, but there had been no opportunity to talk. Now the duke stood in front of his family, and the door opened, and Mr Chalston and the footmen brought in strange-shaped glasses and placed them on a side table.

"I wanted everyone to try a special wine, which my friend Madame Clicquot has developed. I think it will be a surprising experience."

He waited as Mr Chalston poured a frothy wine that overflowed into the glasses. The footmen circulated, handing each person a glass of the strange fizzy wine.

Robert walked over to Arabella and took her hand in his. "Please join my fiancée and me in celebrating our engagement. We brought it forward, so this is earlier than we expected."

Colonel Lloyd stood up and took over. "Let's share a toast to the happiness of our betrothed couple." He raised his glass to sip the new, strange wine.

Everyone followed his lead and sipped from the strange-shaped glasses that Robert called flutes. There were exclamations of surprise as they experienced the exploding bubbles on their tongues and palates.

"I rather like this wine," said Elinor. "What did you call it again?"

"It's called champagne, which my good friend Madame Clicquot has developed. I plan to follow her method and bottle some wines in this style from my new vineyard," Robert said.

Arabella sipped away at her glass, feeling rather light-headed very quickly. Her duke still held her hand and stood so close that she could smell his sandalwood cologne.

"Do you like the wine?" he asked.

"Very much, though I confess to feeling a little light-headed."

"It is quite potent," he said, laughing a little.

"It seems to be quite a hit with everyone," Arabella remarked.

"Then I shall write to Madame asking her to send several cases for our wedding."

Arabella felt that strange, quivering sensation as he took her hand and spoke quietly into her ear. "Will you dance with me tomorrow, Lady Farrington?" he asked.

"Every dance if you wish it," she whispered back.

***

Next morning, as she woke at dawn in her feather bed at Castle Montbury, she was convinced there was more noise than usual this early in the day. The last-minute preparations for the ball were underway.

Today, there was a leisurely agenda of dressmaker's visits, hair, as well as last-minute checking that orchestra, decorations and food preparation were progressing as planned.

How strange, she thought, that I am engaged and Emma isn't. I so expected her to be engaged to Nathaniel by now. I wonder if she ever got an opportunity to talk with him.

Mr Chalston sent word that Mrs Cribbage had set up her working area and their gowns in her ladyship's morning room. They would go down later and have their fittings. Elinor had been so efficient with arrangements that today should be quite a restful day.

After dressing in a sensible workday dress of dove grey dimity, she made her way down the great staircase into the castle's great hall. This part of the building dated back to medieval times, with the additions of wings during the reign of Charles the Second. She loved this ancient castle, which now functioned as a modern family home.

She gasped, realizing this would be Henry's home, reaching up to feel the pendant around her neck.

"Arabella," came Emma's voice below the great hall. "The Duchess of Wyndale says we can go and look at her gown and meet her French dress designer. There is apparently a huge collection of fashion plates."

"Of course," said Arabella, knowing she had no interest in seeing this gown.

The duchess' seamstress had set up a studio in a small parlour and her ball gown was hanging on display. Arabella gasped at the wondrous golden creation, which sparkled with radiant crystals. It truly was a work of art.

She smiled and complimented Madame on her artisanal skill. Emma was poring over the fashion plates in great excitement. "Look here, the neckline and sleeves are different this season. And I love this bronze colour in silk."

They were interrupted by a cry of alarm and footsteps rushing towards them.

Henry? Not again? thought Arabella

Mrs Slater and Mrs Cribbage appeared. "I'm so sorry, Your Ladyship," began Mrs Cribbage. I don't know how it happened," she continued.

"Bella," she vaguely heard Emma call out in alarm as the room began to spin around her, and she reached out for something to hold.

She heard Elinor's voice as if it came from a great distance away. "Arabella," and a gentle tapping on her cheeks, followed by the wafting scent of smelling salts.

She opened her eyes to see Elinor waving her vinaigrette of salts close to her nose. She lifted her head and began to wriggle her fingers.

"Did I swoon?" Arabella asked. "I never swoon." Then, a look of terrified panic as she asked, "Henry? I remember …"

"Hush, Henry is upstairs with Nanny," Elinor reassured her. "Here, let Emma and I help you up to a chair. We were worried you'd banged your head when you fainted to the floor."

She heard another voice issuing commands as the dowager joined them. "Open the window; let's get some air in here. Dorcas, run and get some tea and take it to my morning room."

"Can you manage to walk?" the dowager asked Arabella, who nodded.

Once settled on a chaise longue in the morning room, Arabella wished they would all stop making such a fuss. "I'm perfectly fine," she reassured them. She looked curiously at the dowager, Elinor, and Emma. "If not Henry, then what on earth was the matter?"

Elinor spoke. "It's probably easiest to show you, and it is not a catastrophe. No one is hurt," she said reassuringly.

Dorcas entered the room, followed closely by Mrs Cribbage, who still seemed highly agitated. "I only left the room to take a dish of tea with Cook in the kitchen. I've no idea how it could have happened," came her distressed voice.

"Someone destroyed your dress," said Emma. "They went into the room where Mrs Cribbage had laid out our gowns ready for the final fitting and ripped it up the front with a sharp knife."

Arabella stared at her beautiful ball gown and took it in her hands, feeling the gossamer fine material soft against her hands. She had loved the green print with those tiny golden threads. Now rent almost in two, with the material frayed and bunched around what looked like a vicious knife cut.

How could someone destroy something so beautiful? My lovely gown, she thought wistfully.

"Mrs Cribbage, I'm so sorry. It would have been a truly delightful gown to wear at a ball. All that hard work," Arabella said, her own feelings at the destruction of her dress put aside as she recognized how terrible this must be for the seamstress.

"That doesn't matter. But what will you wear now?" Mrs Cribbage said, and Arabella caught the glance Mrs Cribbage's eyes made towards the glorious golden gown hanging ready for the duchess.

"I've perfectly serviceable gowns at Horton Hall. I'm sure we can send across for something," Arabella replied trying to comfort her.

The dowager duchess stepped forward. "I have a suggestion," she said with quiet confidence. "Madame, have you completed your work for the duchess? You have, that's excellent news." She then looked towards Mrs Cribbage. "Could your seamstresses come and work here today?" the dowager asked her, and Mrs Cribbage nodded.

The dowager looked around the room. "Preparations for the ball are well in hand, so we have a dress to make. If those of us who can sew work together, then I believe Lady Arabella will have a gown for the ball. Mrs Cribbage, you can go in the gig back to your shop and collect your seamstresses and any cloth or supplies we might need."

"I don't have enough of that same material left to make another dress, ma'am," Mrs Cribbage told the dowager. "And the matching headdress was ruined, too. It looks like red wine was poured all over it. It's a wonder all the dresses didn't get splashed."

"Oh, this was very specifically aimed at Lady Farrington, and I believe I know who did this, but I can't prove it," muttered Elinor.

"I suspect I know too," added the dowager. "However, what's needed now is for us to make that dress." She took the shreds of the ruined gown in her hands. I believe we can reuse the sleeves and some of the back panel. I have a gown very similar in colour, and we can use that too."

Mrs Cribbage left to collect supplies, and Madame began removing the damaged fabric and unpicking the sleeves.

"I believe we can make this work," declared the dowager, as she brought in a gown in a similar cloth.

"I'll go and find Julia," said Elinor. "I'm sure she'll help with the sewing."

Arabella felt a mix of emotions, up and down in mood, like the shape of the hills rising and falling on the horizon. She'd felt calm and positive on waking, then plunged into despair at the sight of her gown. It wasn't so much the destroyed dress as the malice behind it. She had her own suspicions, too, as she remembered ice-cold blue eyes.

A dress was nothing; she'd lost her beloved husband, so losing a dress was unimportant. The care and concern of her friends in the little sewing group was inspirational. The dowager duchess leaving ball preparations to sew a seam on her replacement gown was unheard of. She felt her spirits lighten as she looked at everyone working together to create something beautiful.

They finished the dress at six o'clock and waited while Arabella stepped into her new gown.

Emma gasped, and Aunt Grace began to cry. Mrs Cribbage and Madame congratulated each other. The dowager nodded her approval.

"You look so beautiful," said Aunt Grace softly. "My dear, that gown is exquisite, and the colours are perfect for you."

"We had to be a little imaginative with the design," said Mrs Cribbage, "but I believe we have improved the design. Madame's French seams meant we could join the two fabrics together so it hangs elegantly."

The torn dress, combined with the dowager's old dress gave this new creation depth and texture. As Arabella moved, the gown shimmered, and on impulse, she twirled around and heard the gasps around her.

A tiny voice sounded from the doorway, and she looked around to see Henry and Freddy. "Mama, you look so beautiful, just like a fairy princess," Henry said.

Arabella's emotions almost overwhelmed her, and she felt tears of joy welling up in her eyes.

"Non, non, non, Arrêtez maintenant. Je ne veux pas de larmes sur ma création. Arrêtez, arrêtez de pleurer."

Arabella laughed as Elinor handed her a handkerchief, and Madame covered her dress with a shawl.

"Mama, that sounds terrific. Can I learn French, please? I want to talk like Madame," Henry chimed up, obviously entranced by the cadence of the French words.

"Me too," echoed Freddy. "Uncle Robert has a house in France, so I need to speak French when I go there."

"Shoo, shoo," said Madame. "We still have work to do here. I shall teach you French tomorrow if the dowager duchess will allow me to stay for a few days. I find I rather like it here at the castle, and I would like to see Madame Cribbage's establishment."

"By all means, stay as long as you want. The children certainly seem keen to begin learning a little French," the dowager replied. She looked towards her daughter and saw that something was wrong. "Elinor?"

"We forgot that the headdress was damaged too. I'm wondering how we can dress Arabella's hair," Elinor told her.

"I'm sure we have some ribbons somewhere," said Arabella. "I'll be fine."

"Wait, I have an idea," said the dowager with a hint of excitement. She rushed out of the room, returning a few minutes later with a cloth bag. "How about this?" she asked. "It was great grandmamma's," she told Elinor. "I'd forgotten all about it."

The sparkles on the tiara caught the light as it was brought out of the cloth bag. "It's made with peridot and a few diamonds. I remembered about it when I saw you wearing the peridot pendant. They should match, I think," the dowager explained.

"Et voilà," said Madame, placing the tiara on Arabella's head and standing back. "C'est parfait. Voici la belle du bal."

Emma clapped her hands. "Arabella really is the belle of the ball."

***

As Arabella entered the castle ballroom with the Thraxtons, she had the impression that a sudden silence had just descended. Everyone in the small groups sharing news and gossip turned to look at the Duke of Montbury's bride-to-be.

She took a deep breath and kept smiling and talking to her companions.

The decorations she had worked on with Elinor created a themed effect. Everywhere boughs of greenery were hung around the room or placed on any available surface. Roses and other flowers were tucked into the displays. Swathes of muslin in summer colours had been hung around the orchestra and in the dining room. "I can't wait to see the lanterns lit up outside," Arabella told Emma.

"It has got a distinct and different atmosphere to the usual decorations at a ball. Well done, you and Elinor," responded Emma. "I suspect you may have great fun with planning balls when you are a duchess."

Arabella looked at her almost in surprise. "I hadn't thought of that; there is too much to think about," she said, laughing.

The orchestra began playing a range of chamber music, until the duke, together with the dowager duchess, Elinor, and Simon entered the room.

She didn't notice Robert until she smelled his cologne and knew he stood beside her. "I believe you promised me every dance," he joked.

She laughed, all feelings of unease disappeared as she relaxed.

"I heard about your gown. I don't think Mama has had that much excitement or fun for many years. Let me look at you."

She felt his eyes on her. ‘You look radiant," he said, taking her hand and raising it to her lips. Arabella felt on fire, every nerve firing sparks throughout her body.

"You should wear that dress when we marry. It's the first time I've had a good look at you wearing the pendant, and I knew it would match your eyes," he added.

"I can't," she laughed. "Green is the colour of the fairies and not used for wedding gowns."

"Our honeymoon then," he said with a note of mischief.

"Perhaps," she said, continuing to laugh.

"Well, the first dance is claimed as mine, and I hear the orchestra getting ready for a cotillion. Let's take to the dance floor."

She sighed as he swept her into his arms to the rhythm of the music, forgetting eyes were on her as they lost themselves in the music.