Page 24 of The Earl's Heiress
“I agree. That’s why some drawing rooms are not open to the nouveau fortunes and families.”
“By all accounts, she is nothing more than a commoner. A nobody seeking a title. Her ancestors were nothing but paupers when they fled to America.” A loud scoff followed.
“And to think we are about to lose an earl to her. It really is a shame. That’s one less noble in the marriage pool for our daughters.”
Arabella stood still, listening to herbetters. Such bigotry and intolerance! She was never given to believe she would receive a warm reception, but this was downright malicious.
“They’re desperately trying to be elevated.”
“I heard her dowery will be more than enough to support Stanford in pampered indolence. What she lacks in elegance, she makes up for in largesse.”
England was the most prosperous country for these aristocrats, who acquired all the land and kept it for themselves. The lord, lady, knight, and squire live in a beautiful manor house or London residence with well-trained servants who wait on them all day long. Their servants were sent to London to buy the finest merchandise from all over the world. Many of them had never worked and certainly didn’t face the challenges her family did.
America was a country where the winters were brutal, supplies were uncertain, and letters took a long time to reach one’s family if they ever, in fact, arrived. The aristocrats would not leave their comforts behind to brave a place where the first few generations barely survived the first winter. Her family’s wealth was hard won.
Arabella’s lips trembled, but she took a deep breath to steady herself. She had no desire to move in these circles. How could her parents possibly revere these people? She would never survive a season in London. Arabella thought that perhaps she shouldn’t be so obedient and pliant. She should tell her parents what she overheard and refuse to wed Temple. Why coax herself into an unhappy marriage? She could buck convention, wait for her inheritance, and then do whatever she wanted.
“Shall we return to the drawing room, as dinner will soon be served?”
“We should return before we are missed.”
Arabella knew that she too needed to return, but she wanted a moment to gather herself. She was not meant to overhear the conversation, so she would go to dinner and pretend she had not heard it. It would be difficult, but she wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing her hurt. They had done well at hidingtheir emotions, and now it was time for her to do the same. She would get through dinner and think on it later this evening. Perhaps she was thinking about it in the wrong light. Refusing to marry Temple wasn’t the only option.
CHAPTER 11
Arabella’s gown had outlined her body, and it was quite alluring. The low neckline revealed the pale skin above her perfectly round breasts and made Temple think of everything but dinner. He was hungry, but it wasn’t for food, although her skin made him think of honeyed cream. He imagined her flesh would feel soft and warm and taste like … The thought of tasting her flesh was heady. He felt the familiar stirring in his breaches. It was a constant presence whenever he thought of her. He had been clinging to control ever since they shared that kiss. He could feel his control slipping away now.
Temple meant every word of the compliment he had paid her. She was by far the most beautiful woman in the room tonight, and his heart swelled when he saw her. He wasn’t sure he approved of the style of her gown, but this was only because he noticed the admiring looks several gentlemen cast her.
For the first time this evening, his thoughts shifted to Lady Helena. Her family had declined the invitation. How would he feel if he saw her? Arabella sparked feelings in him that he thought he only had for Lady Helena. Lady Helena was certainly different from Arabella but much the same as the other youngladies of thehaut ton. Somehow, he was pleased to know that Arabella was different and that she embraced it. Arabella was no shrinking violet, and she didn’t seek to be like everyone else. She didn’t need anyone’s approval.
When she heard the rumor that he was a murderer, she was ready to defend him against thehaut ton. She was loyal, in addition to beautiful and witty, and he admired that quality.
Temple’s gaze scanned the room, but he didn’t see her. Dinner would shortly be announced, and Arabella was conspicuously absent. Temple had missed her, but he didn’t see her leave the drawing room as he was called away by Lord Hemming. He was beginning to feel out of sorts. Hopefully, she was not wandering the grounds alone because he was worried about her wellbeing. The last time she went off, she almost hurt herself. She seemed to have a knack for finding herself in difficult situations. That is how they met. However, he hoped nothing was amiss. This was hardly a night for adventure.
The countess stepped into the room and announced that dinner was served. Simultaneously, Arabella appeared, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Arabella sought out her family, and Temple escorted his mother into the dining room. The guests followed suit and took their seats. He was seated beside Arabella and he observed that she sat as straight as an arrow. She felt his gaze and her eyes lifted, filled with daggers and fire. As the meal progressed, he wondered what was the reason for the change in her temperament. She was more reserved than she would normally be, but as most of the guests were meeting her for the first time, they wouldn’t notice. He resolved to find out after dinner. The meal concluded with the men moving to the parlor for drinks. Temple was distracted, and he excused himself as soon as it was polite to do so.
He went to Arabella’s room, but he didn’t find her there. He bounded down the stairs and went to the garden, and there shewas, sitting on one of the seats illuminated by the faint glow of the lamp. Temple walked over and sat beside her, and Arabella glanced at him before she quickly looked away. It wasn’t before he noticed that her eyes were pooled with tears, and she turned her head away to hide them. Something was terribly wrong because Arabella was no fickle debutante. Her tears didn’t come easily. She never cried when she fell from her horse or took a tumble on the farm. Temple saw emotions he hadn’t seen in her before, sadness and distance. Perhaps the dinner had brought it closer to reality for her. She would be his wife and her family would sail to America without her.
Her hands were balled into fists, and they were resting on her lap. He reached over and took her hand. When she couldn’t control the tears that rolled down her cheeks, she tilted her chin, and the defiance and fierceness returned. She didn’t want to show her vulnerability, softness, or emotion. He wanted to speak, but perhaps he should be quiet. She would eventually tell him what was upsetting her.
He wanted nothing more than to put his arms around her and pull her against his chest, but the fierceness gave him pause. Someone had done something to hurt her, and he prayed he hadn’t inadvertently done so. If a monster had raised its head, he would happily have slayed it for her. He would bleed for her. He would do anything to dash those tears, to see her smiling again. He hated to see her hurt in any way, so he wasn’t surprised by the overwhelming need to defend her. He waited, yet she didn’t speak, and her silence was unnerving him. It was so unlike her to be this quiet.
“Have I done something to upset you this evening? Whatever it may be, I’m prepared to put it right.”
She furiously brushed the tears from her cheeks. “You haven’t.”
“Tell me what it is that has upset you so.”
Arabella looked down at his hand and paused as if she was wrestling with the words.
“I overheard ladies of polite society speak of me in the most unfavorable terms when they don’t know me at all.”
Thank heavens she wasn’t refusing to marry him or, worse, deciding to return to America. Temple wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close like he was aching to. He rested her head against his shoulder and stroked her arm. He wished the gloves weren’t a barrier between them and he could feel her smooth skin.
“I’m sorry that you were subjected to idle gossip, Arabella.”
“It was much more than idle gossip, rather malicious. I could never have imagined they would say such things.”
