Chapter 27

Chapter 27

The next morning, some of the house guests found sudden reasons to depart. Lady Dorothea Sutton and her daughter Anne were the first to leave, and Robert reflected that he still had to see either of them smile.

Sir Benjamin Hanslope, who spent much of his time sleeping in the drawing room, and his wife, Constance stayed on. Lady Hanslope wanted to give her friend the dowager as much support as possible at this difficult time.

Colonel and Lady Lloyd were welcome as guests for life as far as he was concerned. Until Farrington was apprehended, he was glad of the colonel's presence.

The surprise departure was Rosalind. She left in her elegant black chaise, a cloud of exotic perfume surrounding her as she left the castle. Robert noticed Simon was not there to wave goodbye. Something was off about this departure, and he sought out his brother to talk. He found him in the garden, looking at the hills with a forlorn expression.

"She's gone," Simon said simply.

"Gone from your life?" queried Robert.

"Finally, and forever, I think."

"Do you want to talk?"

"There isn't much to say, Robert. I had my suspicions that something was wrong when we were in Harrogate to see that opera. That trip was all Rosalind's idea, and we all went along with it. I thought I saw her with another man as I left the inn, but I put it down to mistaken identity."

"I see," said Robert, wishing he could say more to help.

"She became very overwrought after the ball and more or less confessed to ruining Lady Farrington's ball gown," Simon told him. "She seems to think that she can do whatever she wants to get her own way in life."

"I suspect it has worked very well for her so far in life," said Robert, not disagreeing

"Anyway, she's off to pursue a marquis and ended our engagement this morning," Simon confessed sadly.

"There is a certain deja vu to some of this. I'm truly sorry it didn't work out for you," replied Robert with genuine sympathy.

"I believe Rosalind is ill. She has such an obsessive dislike of some people," said Simon.

"I was being truthful about when she waylaid me on the path that day," Robert told him.

"I know, brother. I'd like to stay here a little longer if that's all right. I believe you could do with as many men around the place as possible right now."

"Castle Montbury is your family home. You can stay as long as you choose," said Robert, with genuine affection for his jilted brother.

***

Later, Robert found his mother for a conversation. He knew she was always delighted to be approached for advice.

"I know it might not last," she said after Robert had told her about what had happened between Simon and himself. "But it does my heart good to see you and Simon have resolved some of your differences."

"I can't help feeling sad for him, the way Rosalind has enticed him and cast him off for the second time. I hope he finds love in his future."

"Like yours, with dear Arabella?" said his mother, although it was more a statement than a question.

"That's what I wanted to speak with you about. I'm thinking of taking her to France," Robert told her.

"For your honeymoon?" asked his mother.

"No, today, so she and Henry are far away from Farrington."

"Ah, I see. Do you plan to marry before leaving?" his mother enquired.

"I'd like to, but even with the special licence to marry, which I can get as a peer of the realm, it would delay our departure. I'd like to leave by tomorrow morning."

"Let me just have a moment to take this in," his mother replied, looking at him with concern. "You need to talk with Arabella and involve her in your decision-making. That's essential. However, you can't go on your own, or tongues will wag."

"But we will marry as soon as we return to England," explained Robert.

"Even so, you need to consider your reputations," his mother reminded him.

The dowager went to look out of the window at the view towards the lake. "I believe I could do with a change of scene. I shall accompany you to Burgundy," she said, making an immediate decision.

"Really? Are you sure, Mama?" Robert replied in surprise.

"Absolutely. And what's more, I believe Elinor and Freddy should come too. We don't want Freddy being mistaken for Henry again, and I believe Elinor will welcome a change. She's been here waiting for her husband to return for such a long time. It will do her good to have an adventure."

"Thank you," he said simply, not knowing what else he could say.

"Oh, I'd put the castle into siege mode, pull up the drawbridge, and put down the portcullis to fend off this Christopher Farrington. We will not allow Henry to be abducted by that rogue."

"I underestimated his tenacity," admitted Robert. "He's on the verge of financial ruin, and my investigators say his wife has left him. Henry was his only hope of regaining financial security. He's now a wanted man after he masterminded that kidnapping attempt. I have no idea why he is still pursuing Henry, but I believe he has lost his senses."

"Now you need to speak with Arabella about this idea," his mother reminded him. "That's essential for a successful marriage. If she agrees, then I'll tell Elinor and start to prepare. I suggest we take Arabella's coachman, the one you've employed as lake keeper and her nurserymaid. The journey would be too much for Nanny."

He was always in awe of his mother's ability to plan in detail at a moment's notice.

Robert found Arabella with Emma and Lady Thraxton. Despite the drama the previous day, they looked happy, and he thought he could guess the reason.

Arabella didn't keep him waiting in suspense. "Emma is engaged to Nathaniel. They talked after events yesterday and decided they don't wish to be apart," she said happily.

"Congratulations, Miss Thraxton. I know you will be very happy together. I'm glad you will be staying at Montbury, too," Robert said, happy that Nathaniel had taken his advice and all was now mended.

"Me, too," added Lady Thraxton.

"As long as Papa gives his permission," Emma replied. "Nathaniel is speaking to him now."

Robert took Arabella to one side and suggested they talk outside in the garden. He explained his idea and waited for her thoughts.

"It isn't how I'd have liked it to be, but I can see your logic. Farrington may be at large for a while yet, and we can't keep the boys cooped up forever. They would love a journey," she said, musing over the options. "You said your mother and Elinor would join us?"

He nodded. "Mama seems surprisingly keen."

"I wouldn't want to take Henry without Freddy. It's good for him to spend time with a child who enjoys life and is less studious. I believe it does Freddy good, too."

"It would only be for a few weeks. And I ought to travel to Burgundy anyway. I've kept putting it off because I'd promised Mama I'd stay till the new steward was confident."

"Very well. If you speak with Judd, then I will tell Tabitha and my family. We can tell Henry and Freddy together. How excited they will be to go on a carriage ride, a sailing ship, and spend time in another country."

"As soon as we return, we can be married. The next time we travel will be our honeymoon," Robert assured her.

"Every time we find ourselves, something happens to take our time and energy away from getting to know each other. I long for a quiet time with no excitement. I suspect I may choose to honeymoon here at Castle Montbury," said Arabella, laughing.

He looked at her with surprise, as he realized she meant every word and lowered his lips to meet hers. For a moment, he knew from the look in her eyes that she had forgotten her worries. He gathered his bride-to-be into his arms and felt anticipation and a need to protect her from the evil threat of Christopher Farrington.

He needed her to know she was not alone and very loved, including by his Mama, who was ready to put Castle Montbury on a siege footing to make sure Henry remained safe.

As he kissed her lips, and placed his forehead close to her wild hair, he wished they were marrying today.