Page 33 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast
The lady laughed, just as Lady Clara stepped out of the carriage, coming to stand next to her mother though she did not look at him. Instead, she kept her head lowered, her gaze fixing to the ground though Lady Templeton beamed at him as though she had every right to have appeared at the house early.
“We were due to stay at a nearby inn but they did not have space to keep our horses for the rest of the day,” Lady Templeton said as Arthur exchanged a glance with Miss Townsend, seeing the sharp glint in her eye and understanding it to be doubt – doubt that Lady Templeton was telling even a word of truth. “My daughter was resigned for us returning to London but I assured her that you would have no difficulty in our presence for the few short hours until the ball.” Lady Templeton smiledwarmly but Arthur did not return it. It would be more than a few ‘short hours’ until the ball which Lady Templeton clearly knew, but she had come here deliberately. Surely this could not be another ploy to push Lady Clara back into his life? He had already made things quite clear in that regard and it was foolish of Lady Templeton to be attempting to change what was already firmly fixed.
“I am truly sorry, Lord Crestwood, Miss Townsend.” Lady Clara barely lifted her gaze enough for Arthur to catch her eye though he was pleased that she acknowledged Miss Townsend’s presence. Her mother had not done so. “I did try to think of an alternative but – ”
“Alas, there was none,” Lady Templeton interrupted, with a broad smile and waving one hand about so as to dismiss her daughter’s words. “And so, here we are, hoping that you will have kindness enough to welcome us in.”
What was there for him to do? Arthur glanced to Miss Townsend who gave him nothing but a small, wry smile and with a sigh, Arthur held out one hand to the door. “I will have a footman sent to bring anything you may wish to take inside.”
“Well, we shall need a room, will we not?” Lady Templeton laughed aloud as though Arthur was being foolish in some way by forgetting to offer them a room. “We have gowns for this evening and will require a space to prepare.”
Miss Townsend’s fingers tightened on his arm and Arthur bit back the sharp retort which had come firing to his lips. Instead, he took in a deep breath and nodded. “Of course. I will have that prepared at once.”
Without another word, he made his way directly to the door of the house, taking Miss Townsend with him and thereafter, speaking quickly to one of the footmen.
“I am terribly sorry,” he murmured, as the footman was dispatched to help the ladies with their things. “I did not think for a moment that she would be as bold as this.”
“There is nothing for you to apologise for,” Miss Townsend replied, quietly. “It is not as though you arranged for this to take place.”
He managed a small smile. “Certainly, I did not! Had it been my choice, I would have refused them entry to the house!”
This made Miss Townsend laugh and despite his frustration, Arthur could not help but smile. This was what Miss Townsend brought about him, what she offered him – a lightness, a happiness and a delight which he could not garner from anyone else. Not even the presence of Lady Templeton and Lady Clara seemed to dampen it and, as he walked with her, back towards the dining room, Arthur’s smile grew all the more, settling into his features as he looked down into Miss Townsend’s eyes.
He had meant every word he said to her, had spoken with true sincerity and her response, her willingness to wait for him, to give him the time he required was more than Arthur felt as though he deserved. He would do everything in his power to make his character one of openness, of gentleness and of kindness rather than clinging to the darkness and shadow he had known for so long. What Miss Townsend offered him was both terrifying and wonderful in equal measure and he was determined to cling to it, to draw near to and no one, not even Lady Templeton or Lady Clara, would prevent him from doing so.
Chapter Sixteen
“What do you mean, they have already arrived?”
“Simply that.” Abigail offered Lady Isabella a small smile and then reached for her cup of tea again. “They came when I was out walking with your brother.”
“I see.” A spark of hope came into Lady Isabella’s eyes. “Why were you out walking with him?”
Abigail smiled. “He came to join me, actually,” she said, her heart still warm with all that he had said to her. “We had a good conversation. One which will lead us forward, I think.”
“Then I am glad to hear that.” Lady Isabella’s eyes searched hers. “And did you speak of the Captain?”
“Not as yet.” Seeing the slight dimming in Lady Isabella’s eyes, Abigail smiled softly. “But I shall. I have every intention of speaking with him this evening about it all.”
Lady Isabella’s snatch of breath had Abigail’s smile growing steadily. “You truly do care for the Captain?”
“I – I think well of him, that is all.” Lady Isabella laughed and blushed as Abigail lifted an eyebrow. “Very well, very well. The truth is, I have no desire to return to London and be flirted with by many a gentleman. I will not know for certain whether or not any of them truly care for me or if they only care for my dowry and the standing that my brother and his title brings. I might only be a respectable wife rather than a loved one and I do not want that.”
Abigail’s heart twisted but the pain passed quickly as she recalled Lord Crestwood’s words. He had asked her for time, time so he might become better accustomed to all that he was feeling and attempting to consider. It was a good deal better than being determined to push all such feelings away and Abigail was glad of that.
“If I was to tell my brother the truth, it would be that I have no desire to return to London at all, though I know we must.” With a wry smile, Lady Isabella dropped her gaze to her hands. “Why should I indulge in such things, have gentlemen pull at my attentions when the only person I want to consider, the only person I ameagerto think of, is already present?”
“And he is a gentleman who will truly love you,” Abigail agreed, though she kept her tone low. “You would never have the fear that the gentleman you wed sought you out only for your dowry or the like, as you said.”
“Precisely.” Lady Isabella sighed contentedly. “I have spoken to Captain Harrington of my feelings.”
Abigail’s eyes widened in surprise. “You have?”
“And he returns them,” she said, looking back at Abigail. “He wanted to speak to my brother at once but I have begged him to wait until you have learned what it is my brother thinks on the matter.”
Bearing a sense of responsibility in this now, Abigail nodded and reached to squeeze her friend’s hand. “Very well. I will speak to Lord Crestwood this evening, I promise.”
A long breath of relief came from Lady Isabella. “I thank you. I am so very happy already but this would bring my happiness to complete fulfillment, I am sure!”
