Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Aunt Grace suggested Arabella take Henry on a long walk near the lake. Emma was keen to join them, perhaps because the walk would take them close to the parsonage in the village. Arabella could see that her aunt was planning a spring cleaning day, with all the household staff working together to prepare the house for the summer season and the dinner party the following day.

It would be better for my aunt if we were all out of the way, and it would be a lovely day for a walk. I think I may even ask Cook for some bread and cheese to make a picnic. It's early, but we might even find wild strawberries in the woods.

She told Henry they wouldn't study today and would go on a walk or, as he preferred to think of it, a nature ramble.

"Henry, I think that Dash had better stay at home today. His paw looks fine, but there may still be a risk of infection. I'd rather he didn't jump in the lake."

"Very well, Mama," said Henry with disappointment.

"Why don't you get a jar from the kitchen, and we can see if we can collect something interesting. I'll carry a basket, and you take the jam jar."

Henry raced off to ask Cook for a jar, and Arabella was relieved to see he was back to his usual high spirits.

Emma looked lovely in a straw bonnet with a blue ribbon and a pelisse of turquoise velvet.

Arabella knew her woollen cloak was beginning to show its age, but since Christopher had taken over the finances of Farrington Hall, she had no money for clothes or what he considered fripperies.

Only as they set out on the track leading towards the woods did she realize with a start of surprise and a pang of guilt that she had not thought of Edward that day. For almost two years, Edward had been one of the first things she thought of each morning. Today, she had thought instead about a strange meeting on a track in the woods.

They had promised Cook to bring back any wild strawberries they found in the woods by the lake. She had even told Arabella a good place to look for this precious early season fruit. If there were enough strawberries, she had promised to make a pie.

As they walked into the village, they saw Nathaniel digging in a small vegetable garden next to the lane. Henry called to him and ran to see what he was doing. Emma and Arabella followed along, and Arabella could feel their pace quicken as soon as her cousin saw the parson.

"Mama, Mama, can Reverend Colbrooke join us on our walk?" Henry called. "He knows where there are great crested newts in the lake. They are really rare," he said seriously.

"Of course. Reverend Colbrooke. Would you care to join Miss Thraxton, Henry, and me on a country walk? We go in search of wild strawberries, and, erm, it seems great crested newts."

"I shall get my coat and hat and join you," he said, smiling openly at Emma.

Definitely a budding romance there, thought Arabella. I wonder how that will work out. I know Aunt Grace plans for Emma to come out and have a season in London.

The path led down through the forest. Arabella noticed that Emma seemed a little disappointed that Nathaniel walked ahead with Henry, discussing facts about nature. He also brought in some myths and legends, and Arabella knew she needed to ask him soon about possibly tutoring Henry. She mentioned this idea to Emma, who immediately brightened up at the prospect of more opportunities to see Nathaniel.

"I'm sure that would work," said Emma with enthusiasm. "I believe he is beginning to give lessons to Frederick at the castle. Mama is right; it would be good for the boys to have some lessons together."

As they approached the place where Cook had suggested looking for wild strawberries, they heard voices. "I think it is Lady Rathby and Freddy from Castle Montbury," said Emma. "How strange, as I was just talking about Freddy a few minutes ago."

Soon, Freddy and Henry were chasing about while Nathaniel finally spoke with Emma. This left Elinor and Arabella talking together.

Arabella hardly dared to hope but thought she might have found a friend. Their children were almost the same age, and both lived alone. Elinor told her she hoped that her husband would return the following year. He had already been gone for several years.

"It was wonderful when Napoleon was imprisoned on the Isle of Elba," she confided. "Charles returned home, and we had a proper family life. I long for that in the future."

Arabella explained the circumstances that had made her a widow as quickly as she could. She preferred not to talk about it, and there was no need to go into details.

Elinor surprised her by touching her arm gently. "You are with friends here at Montbury," she said gently. "I hope you enjoy living here. Your aunt and uncle are lovely people. In fact, I believe that Mama said we are to dine with you at Horton Hall tomorrow."

As their baskets filled with wild strawberries, they talked about the possibility of the two boys sharing lessons.

"Lady Farrington, I know we have only just met, and I hope you don't mind me asking, but I wonder if Henry would be interested in joining Freddy for lessons. The Reverend Colbrooke is teaching him, and it isn't going terribly well. I fear my son has no interest in learning, much like his dear papa."

Arabella had been about to raise this and was delighted that Elinor had mentioned it first.

"Aunt Grace suggested that I ask you about this very thing. Henry is the exact opposite. He is so interested in learning that I fear he will grow too earnest."

"Well, it would be good for Freddy to have a friend his own age, and a little competition in learning might help motivate him in lessons."

"I wish Henry were a little less motivated." Arabella laughed. "He is always following up on an idea or an interest, and he gets into no end of scrapes. Just yesterday, he caused a man to fall off his horse in the lane near the village."

"Ah," said Elinor, about to add that she knew the identity of the rider thrown from his horse when the rider appeared in the clearing.

Arabella continued talking and didn't notice the arrival of the Duke of Montbury. She heard Elinor calling a friendly greeting to someone and turned to see a familiar figure rooted to the spot, staring at her in surprise. Their eyes locked in a gaze lasting several seconds, neither able to break the contact between them.

This is ridiculous, she thought, feeling her heart beating more quickly and her breathing becoming more shallow. I met this man once, and his words were very unpleasant. Why is he having this effect on me? I hope he doesn't notice. I need to keep calm and look very serene.

Elinor went over to the man and tucked her arm in his. "Robert, you came to join us. I didn't think you would." She smiled up at him. "Let me introduce you to my friends."

"Lady Arabella Farrington and Miss Emma Thraxton, may I introduce my brother the Duke of Montbury. I believe you know the Reverend Nathaniel Colbrooke."

The duke bowed in recognition. "Lady Farrington and I have, in fact, already met, although we have not been introduced formally."

"Erm. yes," said Arabella. "We met yesterday in the woods."

"So you're the man who fell off his horse," said Emma before stopping and putting her hand to her mouth.

The duke laughed, which made Arabella feel more at ease. "I do have that honour," he admitted. "Falling off horses and rescuing spaniels is how dukes spend most of their days."

"There's a story here, brother," said Elinor, laughing. "I shall wait to hear more. But I'm acutely aware that we promised these boys a walk along the lake. Freddy, Henry, time for that walk."

Having introduced them, Elinor excused herself to find Freddy.

Arabella found herself with the man who had told her the previous day that she needed to take better care of her son.

They walked side by side, avoiding eye contact. The duke seemed a little stiff and awkward, but he maintained polite conversation as they followed the track around the lake.

"If you look over there, you can see the entrance to a cave high on the hill. I used to go there sometimes for the day when I was a boy."

"I love the landscape here. It's wild, and there are fewer trees the higher you climb. What are these tiny flowers just appearing?"

"It's heather. You're right; it's close to flowering. Soon, the moors will be covered with a carpet of purple flowers."

They passed close to a stream, gushing down into the lake. The duke knelt, cupping his hands to drink the cool, clear water. Henry crouched down to do the same.

"Mama, it tastes really good. You must take a drink."

Sure enough, the water looked crystal clear, and she kneeled to take a drink.

"The source of the spring is not far away, and we are lucky to have such a clear and plentiful water supply," added the Duke of Montbury.

They stopped to look out across the lake, a shimmering, pearly grey.

"What's that bird?" asked Henry. "The strange bird that is so much taller than the others?"

"What a stroke of luck. You've spotted the heron. We might see it dip down to catch a fish if we keep very still."

They watched the heron as it rapidly dipped its head into the water, bringing it back up with a fish in its beak. Arabella felt the whisper of the Duke of Montbury's breath on the back of her neck as he stood close behind her. She was aware this sensation drew her attention more than the sight of the heron out on the lake.

As they walked on, the duke pointed out quiet pools at the side of the lake. "You can dip your feet in here quite safely," he said.

"Can I, Mama?" asked Henry excitedly.

"Yes, of course. Just make sure you don't fall in," Arabella replied.

Henry soon sat on the lake's bank, dangling his feet in the water.

"And yes, there are indeed great crested newts living near the lake. They are quite rare, and we're lucky to have them. Once you know where to look, they are quite easy to find."

Somehow, she managed to tell him she was a widow, living at Horton Hall with her uncle and aunt. Was it her imagination that his spirits seemed to lift after she told him this? It was only a momentary impression because soon afterwards, Henry spied the man who had helped Dash and rushed to be introduced.

"Is that your dog?" asked Henry, "Is it a spaniel just like Dash?"

"Indeed, both are spaniels, though Mickle has a shiny black coat, and Dash is the colour we call roan."

"Uncle Robert, can we play with Mickle?" asked Freddy. "I know he likes chasing sticks."

"Of course," said the duke, watching them race off together. "My sister gave me Mickle this morning. She thinks I am too solitary and need a companion. She's right. I've enjoyed this walk and am glad it has led me to meet you again, in pleasanter circumstances." This time, he looked into her eyes as he spoke, and she felt a shiver of pleasure down her spine.

"I must apologize for my mood and the words I spoke in anger yesterday. I pride myself on my horsemanship, and I've only been unseated a handful of times. What do they say? Pride comes before a fall," the duke continued.

She laughed, noticing how his eyes crinkled when he smiled, liking the fact that he could laugh at himself. It seemed genuine humility.

He offered her his arm as they descended the muddy track. Arabella ignored the fluttering sensation in her stomach and began another conversation about Castle Montbury and its history.