Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Robert felt calm and confident as he held his betrothed in his arms to begin the first dance at the Midsummer Ball. The sight of Arabella in her sparkling gown in a multitude of shades of green had taken his breath away.

The invisible barrier between them seemed to have disappeared. He'd taken his sister's advice and had taken to wooing and trying to think romantically. He was conscious that his desire to announce their engagement to protect Henry and reduce Arabella's stress had been rather brisk and business-like.

He loved how her peridot necklace glistened in the candlelight and looked down into her eyes, seeing the same colour there. She smiled up at him as they worked through the steps of the cotillion.

He felt such warmth towards his mama for organizing the working party to make her a gown in record time and what a gown they had created. The tiara looked made for her, and fairies or not, he hoped she would wear it at their wedding.

He didn't dance every dance with his betrothed, but he claimed the majority. He did not ask Rosalind to dance, and he had his suspicions that she had been responsible for destroying Arabella's gown.

He asked the orchestra to play a waltz and rushed back to claim Arabella for the mad, bad, high-speed experience. It may be still banned in some assemblies, but he longed to waltz with Arabella. He noticed some of the older couples deciding to sit this out, but smiled when he saw Sir Joseph, Lady Thraxton, and his mama and Sir Benjamin Hanslope ready to twirl and whirl.

He knew the moment was special as their feet found the rhythm of the music, and as they reached the final crashing notes of the jeté, he lifted her off her feet and spun her around in a circle, feet far above the ground.

Later, they walked outside, looking at the lanterns hung around the terrace. The effect was magical, and he held her hand under his as they began to walk down into the garden.

Robert stopped suddenly.

"What is it?" she asked in surprise.

"I think we should turn back. All I can say is that I expect an announcement of an engagement between your cousin Emma and Nathaniel in the very near future," he told her.

"Ah," she said softly. "Let's stay on the terrace. I shall find a glass of cook's lemonade. My throat is parched after that waltz."

"My poor Arabella," he teased, "would you rather we had sat it out? Many did."

"Oh no, far from it. I believe the waltz should be compulsory at every ball," she replied and looked up towards him, eyes bright in the moonlight.

He couldn't resist lowering his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. The immediate response of desire still surprised him each time it happened. He tightened his hold on her hand, and she squeezed his in return. He felt at one with this brave, beautiful, feisty lady. He'd never expected to be engaged at the Midsummer Ball, but he delighted in every moment he spent in her company.

***

The ball had continued till dawn, so it was well into the afternoon the following day when he walked into the village with Colonel Lloyd and his brother Simon. He'd been reluctant to invite Simon along, but it was impossible not to extend the invitation as Simon had been playing billiards with the colonel.

The Midsummer Ball had been a triumph for his mama and sister in their organizational skills and creativity. As the carriages had driven away into the breaking dawn, he had felt proud of his family. He knew he'd made the right decision in offering Arabella marriage. Every moment they'd spent together at the ball had been magical.

Robert had been apprehensive about spending time with Simon, as he hadn't spoken with him since the altercation about Rosalind. His brother seemed more relaxed now, though, perhaps because Robert had announced his own engagement to Arabella.

They settled in a corner table at the Beehive Tavern with a jug of ale, and Robert went to thank the landlord for the drinks he'd supplied for the ball.

He stood outside talking to Thomas Fanshaw, enjoying the late afternoon sunshine in the courtyard.

"You're busy," Robert said.

"A sizeable party of gentlemen from the city. I reckon one of them's a lawyer, and one's a buffoon," Thomas told him.

"Buffoon?"

"Total preening, arrogant man. I refuse to call him a gentleman. I'll be glad when they've gone, and it sounds like that will be later today or tomorrow."

He went back to the taproom to find Colonel Lloyd and Simon standing up and looking concerned. "It may be nothing, but we just overheard a strange conversation. We thought it might be that Christopher Farrington who is trying to take young Henry from his mother," disclosed the colonel.

"What did you hear?" Robert asked urgently.

"One of the men boasted about how he had a plan that would make him a rich man. He just had to deal with some legal issues first," added Simon.

"He mentioned a child, which drew our attention, as well as the fact that he was loud and bragging to the other man. He told his companion they might need to take the child by force, but it was sanctioned by the court," continued the colonel.

"It's him, I'm sure," replied Robert. "Dawkins thought he could be in the locality. I never thought he'd stay this close to Horton Hall."

"We were about to come and find you. We believe Henry is in danger," said Simon.

"And they've told Thomas that they will be leaving this evening or tomorrow, so if they plan on snatching Henry, it must be soon," Robert told them. "We need to warn the Thraxtons and Nathaniel. I don't think there were any lessons today, but I'm not sure."

"I'll go and alert the constable," said the colonel. "The tavern will lend me a horse, and I'll ride across and raise an alert." The colonel raised a hand in farewell and left immediately.

"We need to ensure men guard Henry at all times, at least for the next few days. Henry knows Judd Stephenson, so Judd can organize a rota for the men." Robert looked around and checked the courtyard. "It looks like these men are not at the tavern. No doubt they are lurking around Montbury somewhere, trying to find Henry. I'll go to Horton Hall and tell Sir Joseph they need to be extra vigilant."

"How can I help?" asked Simon.

"If you could find Nathaniel and let him know these villains are in the vicinity. I wish I could remember if Freddy and Henry are having lessons today. Can you call at the vicarage on the way in case Nathaniel's there?"

"Robert," said his brother. "Everyone knows everyone else in Montbury. Henry is surrounded by friends. I can't believe any attempt to abduct him here would succeed."

"I'll be glad when this is over. Farrington must have committed another crime on top of the malicious lies he has already supplied to the court," said Robert. "I need to let Arabella know. If you get back to the castle before me, can you let Mama and Elinor know what's happening?"

"Of course," answered Simon, and for a moment, something of the spirit of their old relationship returned.

"I'm inclined to put Henry in the attic with Nanny and Freddy until this is resolved. The trouble is that he'd be frustrated not to be out and about and probably disappear again," Robert said wryly as he set off at speed to Horton Hall.

He met Arabella and Lady Thraxton walking towards him on the path. They were alone. It was impossible to relay the information without causing alarm.

"It's good of Colonel Lloyd to go and fetch the constable. The sooner that man is in gaol the better," said Lady Thraxton, almost hissing her words, full of hatred for Christopher Farrington.

"I'll go back to the Hall and tell the staff to lock all but the main door and be alert to any intruders," Lady Thraxton told Arabella. "You carry on to the lake as I know the sooner you see Henry with your own eyes, the happier you will be."

"Indeed, thank you. You're very wise," said Arabella, giving her aunt a small kiss on her cheek.

Robert and Arabella set off to the lake at speed and few words passed between them, but they were in unison in their movements and desire to reach the lake as quickly as possible.