Page 26 of The Earl's Heiress
“I will come to you tonight.”
There was a wicked promise in his whisper.
Arabella couldn’t reply. She felt breathless, excited and also alarmed.
“Bella, are you here?” Cordelia called out.
Arabella was grateful that they couldn’t immediately be seen behind the hedge. She quickly patted her swollen lips, stood up from Temple’s lap and walked around the hedge toward Cordelia. Cordelia wouldn’t be able to see Temple from there.
“Cordelia, what are you doing here?”
“I’m looking for you, of course. I missed you and wondered where you had run off to.”
“The evening was a bit overwhelming, and I wanted a moment's respite.”
“The English are a bit stuffy, but otherwise, I think the evening went well.”
“Perhaps I’m worried because it has gone so well. It reminds me that you will leave for home.”
“We will miss you, Bella, but we will visit, and you can visit us. I will be back in London for my season next year.”
“I know you’re looking forward to that. We should return to the house.”
As they walked toward the house, Arabella barely heard Cordelia’s chatter. Temple said he would come to her tonight. Her heart fluttered at the thought, and although she was tempted to, she dared not look back. It wouldn’t be long before she was with him again.
CHAPTER 12
Arabella was relieved when she finally entered her bedchamber and closed the door. Her lady’s maid helped her to undress, and she put on the thin nightdress that had been laid out. She had never thought much of the night dress before, but tonight, it seemed flimsy. Perhaps she should choose something else since Temple would visit tonight. She pushed the thought away; she was thinking too much of it.
When she crawled beneath the sheets, her eyes drooped so she wouldn’t wait for him to arrive. Arabella snuggled into her pillows and closed her eyes where she was transported back to the garden. His mouth covered hers, and she felt the longing ache between her legs again. She couldn’t stop thinking about him even when she was desperately tired. She rolled onto her right side, facing away from the door. It was mere hours, not days since they were last together, yet she yearned to see him again.
She was being reckless and knew there was no excuse for it. She shouldn’t welcome him into her room or welcome this encounter. This wanton behavior was forward, even for her. She should show some restraint. The fact that she was yearning forhim should give her pause, but she couldn’t ignore the feelings he roused. She was forming an attachment to him that he was unlikely to feel for her. He wouldn’t marry her for tender feelings and wouldn’t have chosen her if she was penniless. Should she hope that one day he would come to care for her?
Arabella sat up in her bed with a sigh, the cool night air brushing against her skin. She adjusted her pillow, plumping it with more vigor than necessary, and settled onto her left side, her gaze fixed on the door. The faint flicker of hope stirred within her, foolishly willing it to open, but the minutes dragged on in silence. She closed her eyes, willing sleep to take her, yet it eluded her entirely.
After a time, she let out a frustrated breath and reached for the small book resting on her bedside table. Perhaps reading would distract her restless thoughts. Opening to the marked page, she began to read, though the words seemed to blur on the page, her mind unable to focus. Every creak of the floorboards outside her room made her heart leap, but each time, disappointment followed as the house remained still.
Why had he not come to her? She scolded herself for her foolishness, for expecting anything at all. Perhaps he had no intention of seeking her out. Perhaps she had misread the subtle moments between them. A lump formed in her throat, but she stubbornly forced it down, turning another page without registering a single word.
Minutes turned into an hour, and the book grew heavier in her hands. Eventually, her eyelids began to droop, her disappointment dulled by the weight of exhaustion. Arabella closed the book and set it aside, sinking back into her pillows. The ache in her chest lingered as she drifted into an uneasy sleep, the door she had watched so intently remaining closed.
The following morning,Arabella sneaked off on her own again as she craved peace and tranquility. What better place to get it than by the river? She was walking along the banks and listening to the soothing sound of the water, which gave her a sense of calm. It was a clear morning with blue skies and abundant sunshine. There wasn’t a cloud in sight. She wished there were more days like this. She had learned her lesson after her accident and was prepared for the weather to change at any time. She would enjoy the heat while she could.
The guests were still at Stanford Hall, and Arabella found their presence suffocating. The ladies she overheard did not speak the truth, and they pretended to be moral and upstanding. They strode to maintain the image of propriety until no one was listening, and then they showed their true selves. They didn’t think she was worthy of Temple’s affection and that he should wed one of the darlings of the ton. Arabella scoffed. They were entitled to their opinions, yet the way they spoke about her was vile and unforgivable. Was this how they protected their own interest?
Society often places certain expectations on young ladies, who feel pressured to conform to these expectations even if they do not truly believe in them. Arabella didn’t want to lose herself trying to conform to a society that may never truly accept her. She didn’t want to be changed so much that she didn’t recognize herself. She knew how much it meant to her mother for her to have a season in London, so she would swallow her distaste, and she would go.
Arabella removed her shoes and stockings before she walked to the water's edge on the gritty sand and dipped her toes intothe water. The water was cool, calm and clear, beckoning her to swim. She burrowed her toes in the sand as water lapped her ankles. It was so tempting and she debated if she should, or shouldn’t. Why not? She walked back to the shade of the trees and shed her clothes until she was down to her delicate undergarments. Arabella quickly looked around, but there were only trees, and she felt confident her privacy would be guarded. The idea of swimming while naked wasn’t new to Arabella. She had done it several times before, daring as it may be to the English.
Swimming was the glory of the hot summers in California. She removed her undergarments, exhilarated by the feeling of total abandonment and ran splashing into the river. She took a deep, fresh lungful of air and dived beneath the surface, swimming deeper into the depths. The feel of the water was invigorating and refreshing. She broke the surface for an explosive breath and tasted cool drops on her tongue.
She closed her eyes and lazily floated with the river’s current, and the chance to experience weightlessness felt like freedom. It felt so glorious; she wanted to savor it—the wind blowing lightly, the sunlight, the water washing over her skin. As she floated along, she opened her eyes to gaze at the infinite blue sky above, which promised endless possibilities. The memories of home poured over her.
“Arabella?” All at once, a question and a statement.
She gave a start and tried to stand before suddenly realizing her feet would not touch the bottom. She spun around and gazed at Temple’s raised brows.
“What are you doing?”
