Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

" I t is a beautiful evening," Emily grinned, taking her daughter's hand in hers.

Arabella smiled, squeezing her mother's hand with delight. "It is a perfect evening," she admitted. "I am so glad you could attend."

"We would not miss it," added Peter, moving to shake Jasper's hand.

The duke, who stood beside his wife, gestured to the hall where the other arriving ball goers were mingling and chatting happily. "We hope you will enjoy yourselves," Jasper told them. "I had hoped to show off my family a little," he added with a smile. "It was time the ton saw just how special my father and mother-in-law are."

Arabella, grinning up at her husband, reached out to loop her arm through his. She could not deny that she felt beautiful tonight. Her husband, in anticipation of the ball, and, as he told her, with a selfish desire to show off his wife, had purchased her a new dress. Arabella could not even guess how expensive it must have been. She had not seen anything like it, not even in the shops in ton.

All she knew was that she felt like a princess in the gown. And, even better, she felt fully and utterly loved wearing the dress that her husband had purchased for her.

Watching her husband, Arabella proudly caught sight of several women eyeing her with envy. She was not the only one looking their very best tonight. Jasper was devastatingly handsome in a new silk tailcoat.

She gave him a gentle, loving squeeze on the arm. "Shall we escort them into the ballroom? I believe most of our guests have arrived by now."

"Of course, my love." Jasper placed a hand over hers, confidently guiding her down the hall and into the wide room filled with chatter and the sound of stringed instruments as the musicians warmed up.

"I have been meaning to thank you," Peter said, he and Emily keeping pace with the duke and duchess. "The business venture that you suggested has taken off. I am confident that it will help sustain the estate for some time to come. I would never have considered it had you not introduced me to the idea."

Arabella smiled admiringly up at her husband as Jasper nodded. "I am glad to be of help," was his simple, humble reply. Then, to Arabella's further amazement, Jasper offered Peter his hand. "I hope I may also be of help in future."

As Peter took the duke's proffered hand, Arabella marveled at the change in her husband. She was the only one, too, who knew just how generous this gesture was. Jasper was willing to risk discomfort and pain in order to show his newfound family just how much they meant to him.

But before Arabella could tell her husband just how much this meant to her, their conversation was interrupted by a newcomer.

Reginald came to stand before them, eyeing Arabella with a strange sort of discomfort.

As Peter and Emily excused themselves to greet a nearby couple, Arabella braced herself for whatever scathing remark Reginald had prepared for her.

"It is good to see you, Your Grace," Reginald began haltingly. He cleared his throat, glancing over his shoulder as if he were worried someone might overhear him. "It has been some time since you have been available to greet me."

Glancing at Jasper, Arabella noticed the muscle in her husband's jaw twitching. She, too, had wondered why she had not seen more of Reginald of late. Indeed, she had not seen him since he had all but thrown her from the duke's estate.

"If I recall correctly," Jasper replied, his tone low and his voice cold, "I asked you not to speak to me until you were ready to make amends for what you had done."

Now it was Reginald's turn to war with an internal outrage. Through gritted teeth, he made his reply. "I apologize, Duchess, for the miscommunication in regard to your living situation. I acted against the Duke's wishes. It was a mistake."

Though Arabella could see that Reginald's efforts were merely a response to whatever ultimatum her husband had given him, and that he was not, in fact, truly sorry for his actions, she knew that the best way forward was to put all of this behind her.

"Thank you," she said simply. "I accept your apology."

As Reginald winced, looking as if it were physically painful to have to accept her forgiveness, Arabella readied herself for his usual stream of demeaning comments. He had been forgiven and he would soon be back to his usual ways.

But it was Jasper who spoke next. "I think you should take your leave tonight, uncle."

Reginald frowned. "Is there somewhere I am meant to be, Your Grace?"

"Where you wish to be is none of my business," Jasper replied. "I myself, I am afraid, am not nearly as forgiving or gracious as my lovely wife. She may have forgiven you, but I fail to see any true guilt in a word of what you have said. And I refuse to allow you to bully and blame the Duchess any longer."

Jasper's hand tightened over Arabella's. "Perhaps with time you will be allowed back into our confidences. But you have broken my trust, uncle. And if you wish to make amends, it will take time. You must prove, bit by bit, that you wish to be a part of this family."

Reginald's mouth fell open in the most undignified way. Arabella tried not to smirk. She was practically glowing to hear her husband stand up for her like this. She could have kissed him then and there if they had not been surrounded by the majority of the ton .

Mumbling something about taking his leave, Reginald offered them a small bow. Then, turning on his heel, he strode away.

The duke and duchess' next guest, thankfully, was much more endearing. Though Arabella found herself a little nervous to speak to this guest, too.

"Catherine," Arabella breathed, watching as her best friend came to stand before her.

The young woman glanced guiltily between Arabella and her husband. "Your Graces," she said, dipping into a curtsy.

"There is no need for that," Arabella assured her, moving to help her friend up from her bow.

Something about the gesture must have struck a chord for, as Catherine stood, Arabella realized that her eyes were filled with tears. "How will you ever forgive me?" she whispered, wiping furiously at her eyes.

Aghast, Arabella drew closer. "Whatever is the matter?"

"I have been avoiding you. I have been the most terrible of friends, Arabella. I have no right to ask for your forgiveness." Catherine sniffled. "It was evident from your letters that you were in distress. You needed a friend, a confidant, but I simply could not overcome my guilt. I would have felt like a liar, writing to you as if you would still count me as your friend, knowing what I was doing."

Arabella could not make sense of her friend's ramblings. She cast a worried glance at Jasper who looked as confused as she felt. "I – I could never be upset with you, Catherine. I admit, I was hurt that you seemed to be avoiding me. But more than anything I was worried for you. I was afraid that something was wrong, or that I had done something to cause you offense."

"You could never do anything of the kind!" Catherine assured her. Hanging her head, Catherine took a deep breath. "I tell you this now because I am assured that your heart could belong to no one but your husband. It is obvious to anyone – a perfect stranger would say as much – that you are the happiest married couple in the ton ." Catherine opened her mouth to continue, but hesitated once more.

"Whatever it is, you can tell me," Arabella pressed. "Please do not keep me in suspense any longer. The sooner we may clear the bad air between us and resume our old friendship, the better!"

Catherine seemed to gather her strength. "I am engaged, Arabella. To Lord Reeves."

All at once, Arabella understood everything. And she would have been lying if she were to say that she was not surprised.

Seeing that realization in her friend's eyes, Catherine's tears began to slip down her face. "It was never my intention to do such a thing!" she pleaded. "You must believe me! I did not know that I felt anything for him but outrage for what he had done to you. But, a little while after your wedding, he and I were reintroduced. We began to talk and…oh Arabella, you will hate me to know that I cannot hate him. He is kind to me, thoughtful and considerate. And I believe that he has deep feelings for me, too."

Before Arabella could say a word, Catherine hurried on, further excuses pouring from her mouth. "I am not a young woman," she pressed. "My time in society as eligible for marriage is coming to an end. I have few other options and none of them are so good to me as Lord Reeves –"

"Catherine!" Arabella drew closer, taking her friend's hands in hers. "Stop." She smiled gently, shaking her head with a mixture of amazement and gratitude.

When Catherine faltered, Arabella continued. "I am not angry with you. I hold no hard feelings, nor any ill will toward Lord Reeves. How can I? If he had not broken off our engagement, then I should never have married my husband." Arabella sent a loving glance back at Jasper. "I would be a terrible friend," she added, turning back to Catherine, "if I did not wish for you the same happiness which I have found myself."

Catherine's eyes grew wide. "You mean it? Truly?"

Arabella nodded. "Of course. I see now how conflicted you must have been feeling. But I do not blame you. After all, we cannot choose who we fall in love with."

Fresh tears fell from Catherine's eyes. "I cannot tell you how grateful I am to hear that. And how thankful I am to regain my best friend in the whole world. Please, Your Graces, you must allow Lord Reeves and myself to host you for supper sometime soon, to repay you for your kindness."

Jasper stepped forward. "We would be delighted."

Embracing Arabella, Catherine – now grinning broadly – took her leave.

"You are certain that this does not upset you?" Jasper asked quietly, turning to face his wife.

Arabella frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Surely you had some attachment to the man before he ended your engagement. Do you not feel some jealousy toward your friend?"

Unable to help herself, Arabella laughed. "Of course not!" Reaching out, she wrapped her arm around Jasper's. "I was in the same position as Charlotte then. I needed to marry, and Lord Reeves was an appropriate enough match. But he and I were not well-suited to one another. Any hurt I felt at the broken engagement came merely from my wounded pride. Nor can I blame him for fleeing at the first sign of scandal within my family. Not many men will risk tarnishing their name by marrying a woman like me."

Jasper grinned, pulling Arabella closer. "Do you suggest, madam, that I am a fool for having married you?"

"Yes," she said simply. His amazed expression made her laugh again. "And I will never cease to be grateful for it."

Laughing too, Jasper shook his head at his wife. "You are a wonder, Duchess. Have I ever told you that?"

"Perhaps once or twice," Arabella grinned.

She had the sudden, scandalous urge to kiss him then and there, but she was saved from scandal when her mother caught her eye from across the room and gestured for them to join her.

Alerting Jasper to her beckoning mother, Arabella and her husband made their way through the crowd. As they drew closer, Arabella recognized several women who stood near Emily. Indeed, as they drew even nearer, Arabella could hear what they were saying.

It was Lady Julia and her gaggle of cruel, gossiping friends. Arabella expected that they were, as usual, loudly insulting some poor, undeserving creature. But, when they turned to Emily, their behavior was utterly unexpected.

"Why Lady Clement," Julia cooed, "you look splendid tonight, as usual. You must tell me where you get such beautiful gowns."

Emily, looking just as surprised as Arabella felt, had no time to respond.

Lady Ann jumped in. "And your hair! I wish I had such silken locks as yours. Surely you must be descended from nobility with aristocratic features as yours."

"Your entire family is blessed with such looks," Lady Beth added. "I have always said so."

"We were just about to adjourn to the adjoining room," Lady Julia mused. "We would be ever so grateful if you would join us, Lady Clement."

By now, Arabella and Jasper had finished their journey across the ballroom. They stood before Emily and, as Arabella's mother turned to her, she spotted the slightest flicker of amusement on the older woman's face.

"I am afraid," Emily said, smiling fondly at Arabella and Jasper, "that I have better companions awaiting me. People who are not nearly as fickle as current company."

As the three gossips' mouths fell open, Jasper spoke up as if on cue. "Lady Clement," he announced loudly. "My wife and I would like to invite you to join us in the next room. Would you be so kind as to accompany us?"

Accepting his other proffered arm, Emily grinned broadly. "I should be delighted."

Then, heads held high, the family took their leave. Arabella suspected, as they walked away, that the three ton gossips would take a long while to recover from such an encounter. Justice, she mused, was finally served.

After ensuring that Lady Clement was properly engaged in conversation with much better company, Jasper drew Arabella aside.

"I have something to tell you," he murmured, having trouble keeping his delight out of his tone. "Will you step outside with me for a moment?"

Though Arabella raised a questioning eyebrow, she nodded, allowing her husband to lead her out of the room and into the hall. As they stepped outside, Jasper allowed himself a deep, soothing breath of fresh air.

His nerves were still a little on edge – he had made great pains to make a point of reciprocating the affectionate touches of Arabella's family. Though he did not regret it, his hands still tingled painfully from the encounters.

But, reaching out to take Arabella's hand in his, Jasper sighed as these sensations slowly washed away. Her effect upon him would always amaze him.

Grateful, Jasper turned toward his wife. "There is something which I regret," he informed her. "About our marriage."

At once, Arabella's smile fell away. "Oh? What is that?"

It was cruel of him to phrase it so, but he could not help but tease her a little. "Well, for one thing, we did not have a proper honeymoon."

Looking more confused than ever, Arabella frowned. "I beg your pardon?"

"We stayed here, at the manor. While it was suitable at the time – allowing you to settle into your new home – I cannot help but fear that you deserve a far more luxurious celebration of our marriage. Especially now," he added, wrapping an arm around her waist, "that you and I share a marriage that others might only dream of."

"How did I become so lucky?" he mused, tracing a finger from Arabella's forehead, along the outside of her face, and finally ending at her chin. This he gently tilted up so that he could look Arabella directly in the eyes. "To have fallen in love with my wife?"

"If you are lucky, then I must be the most fortunate woman in the world," Arabella murmured, gazing up at him with a depth of love that made his breath catch in his throat.

"But whatever would we do?" she continued. "What is one supposed to do for their honeymoon? My parents did as we did. They could not afford anything else."

"I thought, perhaps, that you and I might travel to Scotland."

Arabella gasped, a hand flying to her mouth. "Do you mean it?"

Smiling, Jasper nodded. Such a trip would have been out of the question in Arabella's childhood. Her family would not have been able to manage the cost of such a journey. But Jasper knew that his wife dreamed of traveling. And, in particular, she dreamt of visiting the place so often written about in her novels: Scotland.

"I cannot believe it," Arabella breathed, her eyes going hazy as if she were envisioning something that was not there. "How -? When -?"

"We leave in a fortnight."

"So soon?" Arabella was beaming now, almost giddy as she grasped his forearms.

"I am only a man," Jasper replied. "I can abstain from spiriting my wife away for only so long. For there, I shall have you all to myself."

He leaned closer. Arabella's eyes fluttered. She knew, without having to hear it said aloud, that Jasper was speaking of more than walks in the highlands or rainy afternoons curled up with a book.

Then, as Arabella's eyes filled with grateful tears, Jasper pulled her into an embrace.

"I do not know of what I am capable of," he confessed, "of…what my condition will allow…but I will try. I want to try."

"I know," he added, pulling back slightly, "that you do not want our family to be limited to just you and I."

As Jasper wiped away one of her escaped tears, Arabella took a deep, shuddering breath. "I have wanted certain things for many years. I had envisioned what my family might look like in time. I, I know now that life does not always go according to our earthly plans. But I see – I finally understand – that there is happiness to be found in the unexpected too."

"I will try to give you what you wish," Jasper murmured gently.

Arabella shook her head. "I want you," she said, gazing deep into his eyes. "Anything else is an expected blessing."

Filled with a gratitude which he could not put to words, Jasper drew his wife close and kissed her. "I love you. Have I told you that?"

Smiling, Arabella's breath tickled his lips with her reply. "Yes. Tell me again."

"I love you," he murmured. "I love you. I love you."

"I love you too," his wife whispered, standing on tiptoe to steal another kiss from him.

Jasper Dencourt, the Duke of Gysborne, had never been happier in all his life. He would always regret the events that had taken his mother from him and given him this condition. But now, in some strange way, he was grateful too. For all of it – every sorrow and difficulty – had led him to her . The love of his life.

When Arabella pulled away once more, staring up at him with unfiltered adoration, Jasper smiled for what might have been the tenth time that day. This woman had changed him. She had saved him from the solitude and unhappiness which he had accepted as his fate. She had brought him out into the light. Given him hope. Taught him what it was like to open up to the possibility of happiness once more. And he would spend the rest of his life trying to repay her for what she had done.

"Well, Your Grace," Arabella grinned, hooking her arm through his. "What do you say we send all of our guests home and set to packing right away? I've suddenly lost interest in this ball."

Jasper chuckled. "If the Duchess commands…"

Arabella laughed. "Perhaps I can wait a little longer before I start preparing. But you will allow me to share the good news with my family, won't you?"

Jasper nodded, his heart so full of love he thought it might burst. "Let us go and tell them together."