Page 35 of The Earl's Heiress
“Good morning, Temple. I didn’t see you at breakfast this morning.”
Temple stood up and brushed his lips lightly against hers. “I had an early start this morning, so I had breakfast in the library.”
“I see,” Arabella said as she sat.
“Is all well?”
“I could ask you the same, Temple. You haven’t come to my bedchamber for a few nights.”
“I’m sorry that you feel that I’m neglecting you, Arabella. As you know, the house and estate are in poor shape, and I’m setting things in motion before we go on our honeymoon to Europe. I’ve just met with the architect and builder to discuss remodeling the house, which includes your quarters.”
“During the season, you left London to attend to business, and I felt so lonely. I didn’t envision that when we married, I would feel lonely in my own home.”
“How can you possibly be lonely?”
“Have you been so preoccupied that you have forgotten that my family has returned to America?”
“Of course not. I meant to say my mother is only a stone's throw away at one of the cottages, you’re making new friends, and you have been busy planning the dinner party.”
“And somehow, this means that I do not miss my husband's companionship? I don’t feel content.”
“I’m sorry that you feel that I’m ignoring you. It was not my intent.”
“Can’t you feel the distance between us?”
Perhaps he hadn’t considered how Arabella would be impacted when her family returned home. There would be a bit of a void that couldn’t be easily filled by anyone else.
“We will spend the evening together. I promise. I will see you at dinner.”
Arabella hesitated as if she wanted to say something more but thought better of it. She was thoughtful for a moment before she replied.
“Very well.”
“What are your plans for the rest of the day.”
“I’m on my way to see the staff about the dinner party and finalize the menu with the cook.”
“They are just as excited about it as we haven’t entertained in a while, not since my father died. Now that you’re here, you can help to breathe some life into the estate.”
“We will do it together.”
“Let me tell you about the plans I have for the house.” Temple retrieved his sketches and explained the plans for remodeling. He watched her as she looked at the sketches and asked questions about the design. The tension eased between them, and he chastised himself. There were several competing interests, but he ought to ensure he spends time with his wife.
Arabella spentthe remainder of the day organizing the dinner party. Her conversation with Temple was never far from her mind. Her frustration propelled her into action because she never thought she could feel so alone, although she was married. She shouldn’t feel this way when she was with Temple, and she was determined to speak to him about how she felt. What madematters even worse was the letter she received from Winnie stating they had arrived home safely. Her eyes misted as she read, wishing she was with them. Memories of her childhood home, the large, well-manicured lawns and blooming flowers sprang to mind. She took great comfort and felts a sense of peace when she walked in the garden surrounded by nature. When she was growing up, there was nothing comparable to the feeling of comfort she had, knowing there was a safe, comfortable place to lay her head every night. There were countless memories of special occasions that she celebrated with her family. Her childhood home is where she grew up, lived the better part of her life, and ultimately created her own haven. One day, she hoped she would grow to love Stanford Hall in the same way.
The conversation with Temple had gone much better than expected. She didn’t know how he would react because English ladies didn’t usually confront their husbands about feelings of neglect. It was customary for the lords to seek pleasure from their mistresses and find comfort with their wives when they wanted to conceive. This wasn’t the marriage Arabella envisioned, and she wouldn’t accept it.
A few days ago, she was restless, so she went to the library. She perused the shelves, found one of the marriage manuals and read it with amusement. The chapter on submission advised women to yield to their husbands, and it served to remind her that she had given up all her rights and privileges. Submission indeed. She was startled to find the manual disapproved of love marriages because they were supposedly unhappy marriages.
Arabella thought it was all nonsense. It wasn’t clear why being in love was bad for marriage; if anything, shouldn’t it make the bond between couples stronger? The manual’s author made one pronouncement that she was unlikely to forget. Apparently, a woman who marries a man of superior rank to her own is not always treated according to her desires. Temple’sstatus was well above her own, which made her wonder if that was the reason for her treatment.
She pushed the errant thought away and replaced it with rumination on the evening ahead. She had been restless all day and irritated that the time was going by slowly. Now that she was satisfied with the arrangements, it was time for her to prepare for dinner. It would be an intimate affair, and her skin tingled with excitement and a sense of expectation. Her hurried steps pattered down the hall as she made her way to her bedchamber. Arabella had given instructions for her bath to be prepared and the steaming tub was waiting for her when she entered. The lady’s maid helped her to bathe and dress her. She sat staring at her reflection while the maid brushed and then styled her hair. A few tendrils fanned the nape of her neck. The low neckline of her dress accentuated her cleavage, and she applied her jasmine-scented perfume before she left the room.
She took the glass from his hand, placed it on the side table with the glass of wine and guided him toward the large oak desk in the far corner. Her back was to the desk, her legs pressed up against it, and she pulled Temple close. His warm breath touched her skin, and she inhaled his deep scent of lavender, spice and wood.
Temple arched a brow. “We should retire upstairs … to bed.”
Arabella gently leaned back and patted the table. “We are perfectly fine here … right here.” She wanted to taste him so badly that she was not prepared to wait.
