Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

" L ady Arabella." Reginald stood before her, having caught sight of her the moment the butler let him into the manor.

Arabella, feeling far too much like a cornered rabbit, did her best to greet him civilly. "Lord Barrington, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

His gaze travelled up and down her, his already furrowed brow deepening as a witheringly disappointed expression crossed his face. "Now that your honeymoon period is over, I thought it best to visit my nephew and his new wife. To see how you both were….getting on."

Though she did not believe that for a moment, Arabella nodded and led him into the drawing room. Seeing this, the butler took his leave. Arabella hoped he had gone to fetch Jasper. The sooner she did not have to be alone with this rude, judgmental man, the better.

"Are you not going to ask me to sit?" Reginald prompted, glancing around the room with impatience.

Arabella, who had been just about to do exactly that, gritted her teeth. "Won't you sit?" She offered him a forced smile. As he took a seat, she did the same. "How is business?" she asked casually, hoping to occupy him with something she hoped he would be interested in. Such men were always happy to talk about themselves.

But Reginald simply tutted disapprovingly. "That is far too personal a question for a lady to ask. Nor should a duchess be concerned with such matters. Stick to the subject of the weather."

Again, Arabella clenched her jaw, fighting back the harsh words which came bubbling up in reply. Just who did this man think he was? How dare he speak to her so?

When Reginald stayed silent, clearly waiting for her to do as he said, she mustered her strength and tried again. "Lovely weather we are having, is it not?"

"Indeed."

"I think today it might rai-"

"Ah, Your Grace." Reginald cut her off, standing to greet his nephew as Jasper strode into the room.

Arabella, too, stood.

"Uncle, how are you?" Jasper asked, making no move to offer the man his hand. He wore his gloves, as per usual. These let out a little whisper of a rustle as he rubbed his hands together. "I had not expected to see you today. I trust nothing is amiss?"

"No, indeed. I merely fancied a visit," Reginald replied, turning his narrowed eyes back to Arabella.

As they all took their seats again, Arabella tried not to be overly anxious about the situation. But she could not help but feel that it was two against one. And that, somehow, Reginald had come to the manor today because of her.

"I trust you have acquainted yourself with the household?" Reginald asked Arabella.

She refrained from telling him that this was far too personal a question and that these matters were none of his concern. It was a simple enough question, but she gathered his meaning. He was asking whether she had made herself aware of the responsibilities of running the duke's household. He was asking whether or not she was capable of such a thing. "I have."

Letting out a short cough, Reginald pulled out his handkerchief and held it to his mouth. "There seems to be a fine layer of dust in the air," he commented after a moment. "You must speak with your maids. I do not think they are properly attending to their duties.

Here was another slight. Reginald was insinuating that Arabella's staff were shirking their responsibilities and that she was not capable of commanding enough respect to get them to do their jobs.

Nearly shaking with anger and embarrassment, Arabella clasped her hands tightly in her lap, focusing all her attention down on them.

To her great relief, Jasper spoke up. "My wife," he said, his tone casual, but his words pointed, "has already made herself a great favorite amongst the staff. My butler says that he has never met a Lady more gracious and well-mannered."

Arabella glanced up quickly, wondering if this was true. But Jasper was still regarding his uncle carefully.

"The duchess does not need to be friends with her staff," Reginald retorted, his voice thick with sarcasm. "She merely needs to command their respect."

"Respect is far better earned with humility and kindness than an iron fist, is it not?"

Arabella frowned slightly. She was surprised at her husband's response. Was it possible that such an arrogant man could think this way? Though, when she thought about it, she had never seen Jasper treat his staff with anything other than curtsy. Nor had she seen or heard anything that made her think that his servants disliked their positions.

"No matter how she may earn their respect, I trust that she shall assert whatever control needs to be maintained over the household," Reginald replied coolly. Then, flicking his gaze over her dress, he sighed. "I doubt that she will earn much respect from her peers if she continues to dress so poorly. A duchess must never be seen in anything that is unbecoming of her position."

Arabella could feel her cheeks grow hot as she blushed angrily. She began to reply, but Reginald continued. "Is this really the best you have to wear when greeting visitors, Lady Arabella?" he challenged.

Despite herself, she glanced down at her dress. This was, embarrassingly, her nicest gown. She had made great effort over her short time at the manor to look the part of a duchess. But she had limited means. Her family was not well-off, and they had never been able to afford the latest fashions of the ton .

As such, the dress was tattered and thin. She had asked her maid to mend the small holes that were popping up all too often within the fraying material, but this was only a temporary solution.

When she looked back up, Reginald was awaiting her reply. "It is," she said quietly.

"Unacceptable." Reginald shifted, glancing around as if he were suddenly bored of the conversation. "A duchess must never be seen in such tattered clothing. Though, I suppose, if you look to your elder sister to set an example, your current choice of attire is easily explained.

Outraged, Arabella stood. "If you mean, Sir, to insinuate that I dress like a commoner, then you will have to do better than to compare me to my sister. She is the height of grace and elegance. I should be honored to be likened to her."

Reginald slowly stood, his gaze never leaving her. "And therein lies the problem."

They stood there for a moment, eyeing one another angrily. Then, to Arabella's surprise, Jasper spoke.

He stood, slowly making his way to Arabella's side, placing himself slightly between her and his uncle. "If the duchess is not suitably dressed for the occasion, then I am the one at fault. I have not provided her with the clothing that befits her new station."

Reginald shook his head. "It is her responsibility to inform you of her needs. That includes suitable dresses."

Arabella heard something, as if Jasper were about to reply, but Reginald was already making his way out of the room. "I shall return in a week or so," he informed them. "I hope that the duchess will be better acquainted with her responsibilities by then."

Jasper's emotions warred between frustration and discomfort. He was angry that his uncle had presumed to come into his home and insinuate that his wife was not properly prepared for her new duties. But he was also embarrassed to realized that she was, indeed, somewhat unprepared.

This, however, was not Arabella's fault.

As his uncle left them, Jasper turned to look at his wife. Arabella's cheeks burned and she was still watching Reginald's retreating figure. Her outburst following Reginald's mention of her eldest sister had been improper. A woman of her status could not afford to be riled by anyone or anything. He suspected that Reginald was testing this about her.

But Jasper could not blame Arabella, either, for her anger. The woman, he was growing to understand, was protective of her family. She would not tolerate any insult to them, however subtle or overt it may be.

He sighed. His wife had a long way to go to become the duchess that Jasper and the rest of the ton expected her to be. And if he wanted to protect Arabella from further "instruction" from Reginald, then it would fall to Jasper to better prepare her. Which meant spending more time with the young woman.

Starting today.

Swallowing, Jasper cleared his throat. "Are you free tomorrow afternoon?" he asked her.

Confused, Arabella turned to him. "I believe so."

"Good. I will escort you to the dress shops in town." Jasper paused, thinking. "If she is free, you may invite your mother to join us. I am sure she will be of better use to you in deciding which dresses are most appropriate for your new station than I might be."

When he regarded her again, Arabella was looking at him with unveiled surprise. "Is something the matter?" he asked.

Quickly, she shook her head. "No. Thank you. I shall write and inquire as to my mother's schedule for tomorrow."

He nodded and watched as she quickly hurried from the room. It is strange , he thought, that I should have grown so angry with my uncle.

Indeed, his uncle often spoke so callously, believing himself protected by position and power from unforgivable insult. Jasper often dismissed his uncle's words, then, as rude but an unfortunate aspect of his character. However, hearing him speak so disparagingly of Arabella, Jasper's temper had flared.

He told himself it was because his uncle was once again questioning his choice of wife. When Reginald insulted Arabella, he was showing obvious distrust of Jasper's own capabilities.

Still, the look of shame on his wife's features when Reginald had maligned her for the state of the house, had been like a punch to the gut. He had not liked it. Far from it - he had found himself wishing he could remove such an expression from her face. He never wanted to see her looking so dejected again.

"Your Grace?" Mr. Rogers' pulled Jasper from his musings.

Shaking his head, Jasper put aside such troubling thoughts. His emotions had been unpredictable of late. It was unsettling, but he reasoned that it was simply a product of such a big change in his life. Soon, he and his wife would settle into their separate routines, content to have little to do with one another.

Which was what he wanted. Was it not?

"Arabella!" Emily ran to the carriage, throwing her arms around Arabella as soon as the young woman's feet hit the ground.

In the carriage, Jasper watched in apprehension. This family's overt displays of affection made him more than a little uncomfortable. He was worried that they would attempt to show him warmth in similarly physical ways. He had already offended Arabella by refusing to take her father's hand. But he would have to cause her greater offense should her mother try to embrace him in some manner.

As the mother and daughter – already excitedly chatting together – climbed into the carriage, Jasper was struck by another uncomfortable thought. He had hoped that Emily would help Arabella choose the right clothes. So, he had suggested that she come along on the excursion today. But he had not entirely thought it through.

Now, he was to spend the day with Arabella's mother, a woman he hardly knew. It had been many years since he had spoken with a woman of her age and, though he did not know why, he was afraid that he would do it poorly. What would Arabella think if he offended her mother somehow? He hardly knew what a man like him should say to his mother-in-law.

As the carriage lurched into motion, Jasper made a vain attempt at conversation. "Your youngest daughter is nearing the age to debut, is she not?" he asked her. "That must be an exciting prospect."

He had heard that young women were most eager to join Society once they were of age. The question had seemed a safe enough. But as Emily's face fell, Jasper knew he had misstepped.

Lady Clementsmiled sadly. "I am afraid that my youngest may have to delay her entry into Society. Her father and I must be sure that we can offer a proper dowry to any potential suitors. She, no doubt, would much rather stay at home entirely," she added with a sad laugh, catching Arabella's eye.

"And why is that?" Jasper asked cautiously.

"Madeline is a gentle soul. She far prefers reading and playing piano to balls and garden parties. If she were given leave to remain at home, surrounded by her music and books, I think she might never leave."

"You must be quite skilled, as well as knowledgeable then," Jasper replied quickly. But he sighed inwardly. He had unknowingly brought up a painful subject. How had he managed to put his foot in his mouth already?

He also felt pity for Madeline. By the sounds of it, she was clearly shy and content with her life at home. Pushing such a girl into society would not be pleasant, either for her or her family who were responsible for finding her a suitor. Such a girl could easily be taken advantage of by the shrewd, self-serving men of Society. Particularly when the family was in a difficult financial situation.

"And your son?" he tried. "What does he enjoy? I hear he is a great horseman, like your daughter," he added, gesturing to Arabella.

This earned a pleased smile from Emily. "He is. Though a bit of the family jester, I think Thomas has much potential. He takes after his father in many ways."

As she said this, Emily glanced over at Arabella. Jasper got the strange sense that there was something Emily wished to tell her daughter, regarding her father. But it was clearly something she could not do in present company.

"A lucky boy indeed," Jasper commented gently.

At this, Emily smiling embarrassedly. She said nothing, but he was relieved to see that he had repaired some of the tension between them.

When he glanced over at Arabella, she was watching him carefully. But before he could ask her if something was the matter, she turned and began to ask her mother about what the family had been up to in her absence.

Leaving them to talk, Jasper watched the world go by through the window of the carriage.

Before long, they had arrived. The footman helped the ladies out first and then Jasper stepped out into the open air. It was a fine enough day though the sun had disappeared behind some clouds on their ride over.

Leading the ladies toward the nearest shop – a modiste – Jasper was instantly overpowered by a myriad of scents, sounds, and colors. Fabrics of all manner were draped here and there. Fully crafted dresses and hats sat on display in the windows. Several other wealthy women were wandering through the offered goods, chatting with one another, or addressing the women tending the shop.

"Oh, goodness," breathed Arabella, coming to stand beside him. She, too, looked astonished at the display before them.

But to Jasper's relief, it was Emily who stepped forward. "We had better start with the dresses," she informed her daughter confidently. "Then, the hats. But I am unsure as to this particular style," she added, already making her way toward a dress to her right.

A still overwhelmed looking Arabella followed after her mother. Jasper followed after them, but kept his distance a little. He had nothing to contribute in terms of what his wife should purchase, and was only there to make the final payment.

But as he kept his distance, casually looking over the dresses and hats for sale, he began to overhear another conversation. Two women were whispering behind him, but their voices carried just enough that Jasper, pausing to stand before a hat, could hear.

"Is that not LadyClement?" one woman whispered.

"It must be," the other replied. "No one else would be brave enough to walk into such a shop wearing such embarrassing clothing."

Jasper grimaced. Reginald had told him that Arabella's family was haunted by gossip, but he had not imagined that the people of the ton would speak so callously of his wife's family.

"Is she advising her daughter on which dress to purchase?" the first woman asked.

The other responded. "I suppose so. Though how she might pay for it, I haven't a clue. From what I hear, Lord Clement has just had another disastrous business affair go sour."

Something inside Jasper clicked. He crossed toward Arabella and Emily and, raising his voice, proclaimed, "Ladies, as we are to fill the duchess's wardrobe. Please, do not be modest. Purchase what you need. Money is no object."

Then, turning, he caught the gaze of the gossiping ladies, and shot them a cold, hard stare.

Their reaction was exactly as he had intended. Instantly, the women began to blush furiously. Though they were dressed as well as anyone in ton, they suddenly looked ill at ease in their fancy, prosperous attired. Indeed, the sight reminded Jasper of an old saying. Something about the futility of clothing a swine…

As Jasper held their gaze, the ladies grew even more uncomfortable. Then, dropping the hat they had been inspecting, they finally scurried from the shop. The duke allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. They were not the only ones who could use their status to their benefit. Indeed, if they thought they could insult his wife – a woman of newfound prestige that greatly overshadowed their own – then they were sorely mistaken.

When Jasper turned back to Arabella, she was regarding him in confusion. But just then, Emily insisted that Arabella go with the shopgirl and allow her to take her measurements.

Alone with Arabella's mother, Jasper hurried to think of something to say. But to his relief, Emily spoke first. "You are very kind, to provide your wife with new clothing."

"It is nothing. She is in need of a wardrobe befitting a duchess."

"I fear she did not bring much of value with her," Emily admitted sadly.

Once again, Jasper realized he had caused offense. Silently cursing himself, he shook his head. "I, she need not…it was suggested that I provide her with such things only because of her new position."

"Of course. It is very thoughtful of you to do so." Emily offered him a smile, but Jasper could still see the sadness in her eyes. "Your mother must have raised you right," she added, her smile widening slightly.

To this, Jasper had no reply. He had not been expected to be reminded of his mother so suddenly. And the way this woman was looking at him – the warmth with which she regarded him – dredged up old, forgotten memories.

Knowing it was rude, yet unable to do anything else, Jasper turned away. "I must speak with the driver a moment," he murmured, already headed toward the shop door.

Then, leaving Emily where she was, Jasper made his escape.