Page 1 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
Chapter 1
Arabella Nott gazed back over the wide, rolling hills of Dorset, which were spreading out as far as the eye could see. From this vantage point, high on the cliff, she could clearly see the green countryside behind and the sparkling grey-blue sea ahead.
The horse beneath her stirred, stamping his hooves restlessly. She leaned down, stroking his chestnut flank. “It is quite alright, Pem,” she whispered reassuringly to the horse. “I am not about to lead you down the cliff face.”
She sighed deeply. The brownish-golden sand of the beach below beckoned to her, stirring her blood. She knew that it was out of bounds – her parents were very insistent that she ride only so far beyond the grounds of Rudwick House, their country estate. A young lady of one and twenty had to show propriety and restraint. A young lady had to restrain her wild impulses to ride as far and as fast as she wanted to.
Ara sighed again, still gazing longingly at the beach. Sometimes it was just soboringbeing a well brought up lady. There were so many rules and regulations. Petty rules and regulations, in her book.
If only I had been born a boy,she thought longingly.Then I could ride as wildly and as far as I wished, and no one would question me.
She had already broken a golden rule this morning, just by saddling Pem and coming here. She had not bothered to tell her father or her mother. She knew that her mother had earmarked this morning for a fitting with the dressmaker, who was travelling from Frasby, the local village, to Rudwick House. New gowns for their upcoming London season were needed, and Mrs. Grace Nott was determined that they all look the part.
“We must not look like country bumpkins,” her mother had declared huffily. “If we do not have gowns made in the latest fashion, we shall all look as if we have just stepped down from the hay cart.” She had paused significantly, staring at Ara. “And then we shallneverhope to land a good husband for you, daughter.”
Ara stirred restlessly in the saddle, remembering her mother’s words and her pointed look. Mama never stopped going on about finding a husband for her. It had been her life’s mission since her sixteenth birthday, and the disappointment of having a daughter still unwed at one and twenty was sour for her.
I am so bored with it all,she thought darkly.Why must I find a husband? Why can’t I just head out, riding Pem, and when at home stay in the stables all day, for the rest of my life?
She kept gazing over the sparkling sea. The colour reminded her of one of her mother’s silk gowns. Her eyes lit up when she saw a solitary ship far out on the ocean, its impressive white sails blowing in the wind, as she imagined the wild adventures the sailors on board it must have. She had no desire herself to sail the seas, but the thought of the freedom was intoxicating.
Her mind turned to Ruth, her cousin and closest friend, who had grown up alongside her as a sister at Rudwick House. Ruth didn’t think the way that she did. Ruth desired to marry well and loved socialising and new gowns. Ara thought that Ruth was the daughter that her parents desired, in their heart of hearts. Sometimes, she thought that they loved Ruth more than her, just a little bit. Her cousin was so sweetly compliant and genteel. Just the way a young lady should be.
Ruth’s eyes had bulged dramatically when Ara had whispered to her at the breakfast table that she was taking Pem for a ride this morning.
“Ara,” she had whispered back furtively. “Youknowthat the dressmaker is coming today! My aunt shall have an apoplexy if Mrs. Gibbs arrives and you are nowhere to be found. London is only a week away, and wemusthave our gowns before we depart…”
Ara had stared at her cousin levelly. How was it that shealwaysdid the right thing, without any seeming effort? Her eyes had trailed over Ruth’s perfectly coiffed brown hair and immaculate gown, with not a crease or a stain upon it. Her gaze had dropped to her own gown, where she had already managed to spill a tiny bit of marmalade, creating an orangey stain that her mother would be sure to fuss over.
But she knew that Ruth’s situation was one of the reasons she was so compliant. Her own parents were long dead, and she had been brought up at Rudwick House, as a charity, although her parents loved their niece. Miss Ruth Nott did not have any money of her own, and as a woman her situation would always be precarious until she found a good husband. Ruthhadto toe the line.
“I will not be long,” she had whispered back. “I will only take Pem a little distance beyond the grounds.” She had glanced furtively at her mother, who was sipping tea at the end of the table. “Do not worry so, dear cousin. I will be back in time for the dressmaker, and my mother shall not be any the wiser.”
Ruth’s brow had puckered anxiously. “You are wicked to do it, Ara! You know that your parents do not like you riding beyond the grounds of the estate alone…”
Ara had sniffed. “What they do not know will not hurt them.” Then her gaze had softened as she stared at her cousin. “Do not fret, Ruth. I shall not cause a fuss.”
Ara sighed again, as she kept gazing at the ship in the distance. She should turn around and head back to Rudwick House now if she were to be on time for the dressmaker. She knew that. And still, she couldn’t bring herself to turn the horse around.
She stirred restlessly in the saddle. The sea was so inviting, and the beach so wide and beautiful. What would it hurt if she went down there and rode along the beach, just for a little while? She could be quick.
“Come on, Pem,” she said aloud, spurring the horse onwards. She knew a safe path down to the beach that would not tax the horse too much.
She smiled as the wind whipped her hair around her face. Already, she was anticipating the thrill of the ride along the sandy beach, with the sea glittering alongside her.
***
Ara’s heart sank a little as she approached Rudwick House. The ride had been brilliant; all that she had imagined it would be. But she had spurred Pem on to a gallop, and her hair was a mess now. And she wasn’t at all sure if she was still on time for the dressmaker.
She left the horse in the stables, heading to the house by the back path. Sometimes, if she was quick, she could make it in and head to her room before her mother even noticed. If she managed to avoid her, then she could quickly fix her hair and be downstairs in a heartbeat.
Suddenly she saw Ruth approaching, walking quickly towards her, a pained look on her face. Ara frowned, sighing deeply.
“There you are, at long last,” said Ruth, the moment she was near enough. “Your mother is on the warpath, Ara….”
But Ara brushed past her cousin, smiling vaguely in her direction. “I cannot stop, dear Ruth! I must fix my hair before I go downstairs.”
She kept walking fiercely. If she could just get inside, then all might still be well.
