Page 15 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
His thoughts drifted towards her again. Why was Miss Arabella Nott invading his dreams like this? He had only just met the lady.
His face burnt. Was it shameless, dreaming of a young lady like this? He had to face her tomorrow. Would he be able to look her in the eye, or would he be picturing her like he had seen her in his mind, in the lake? Would she somehow know that he had dreamt about her in this way?
He ran a shaky hand through his hair. He was rattled, there was no doubt about it. And the reason for it was Ara Nott.
He stared at the clock on the mantelpiece. It was three o’clock in the morning. He should try to get back to sleep.
He punched the pillow, laying his head back down. He closed his eyes tightly.
But all that he could see was her.
Chapter 8
Ara stirred, awakening to the sound of sparrows chirping on the window panes. She opened her eyes, trying to figure out what was different about today. There was something hovering in the back of her mind, but it was tantalisingly out of reach.
Her eyes widened. She had remembered what was different about today. Lord Andrew Comerford was coming to afternoon tea.
Her heart started to beat a little faster, just at the thought of him. His face appeared in her mind, with his dark brown eyes and firm jawline. She honestly didn’t think she had ever seen such a handsome face in her life. For a moment, she closed her eyes, contemplating his fine features and tall, manly figure.
Suddenly, the door squeaked open, and Ruth was standing there in her long white nightgown, her brown hair coiled like a rope down her back. She blinked rapidly. “I hoped to find you awake, cousin…”
Ara smiled, stretching luxuriously, before sitting up in the bed and patting it. “Come and talk, Ruth. We have at least ten minutes before the maids come to get us ready for the day.”
Her cousin didn’t need a second invitation. She padded to the bed, climbing in, sitting companionably by Ara’s side. Ara’s smile widened. Ruth had been coming into her bed of a morning since she had first come to live with them, all those years ago, after her own parents died of illness within months of each other. The little girl had been lost and bewildered in her new home at Rudwick House and Ara had taken her under her wing, giving her lots of cuddles and telling her stories in these precious minutes before the day began.
Dear Ruth, she thought fondly, gazing at her.She is like the little sister that I never had.
But she could readily admit to herself that they were like chalk and cheese. Ruth was so timid and obedient, so very eager to do the right thing and follow all of the rules and regulations that constrained their lives like a tight rubber band. Whereas she could hardly do anything but try to break them.
“My aunt is so very excited,” whispered Ruth, her blue eyes as wide as saucers. “Tell me again how you encountered the Duke, and what he is like, Ara.”
Ara smiled, picturing him again in her mind. “I went to look at the horse auction, on my way to Hyde Park,” she said slowly. “I just went in, Ruth, without thinking much about it. You know what I am like about horses…”
Ruth rolled her eyes, smiling. “I can just picture you, Ara! You would have heard all the neighing and not been able to resist.”
Ara laughed. “Yes, that is about right! I always act before I think!” She sobered a little. “I did not realise that it is a place where men exclusively congregate. I did not even notice at first that I was causing quite a stir, until two gentlemen started to harangue me, saying I should be ashamed of myself and that I must leave. That was when the Duke intervened.” She sighed deeply.
Ruth smiled. “Go on.”
Ara took a deep breath. “He came over and pretended that I was with him, so that the gentlemen would back off, and then he led me outside. He asked what on earth I thought I was doing, being there…and after a while, offered to escort me home.”
Ruth’s blue eyes were shining. “It is so romantic, Ara!”
Ara stiffened a little. She had been lost in the story of how she had met the Duke, but hearing Ruth’s comment, she frowned.Wasit romantic? Did the Duke really admire her, or was he just being polite and courteous?
She felt torn inside. One part of her really wanted to see him again. But another, equally strong part, did not wish to encourage him. She didn’t want to court anyone, with a view to marriage. And even though she knew that she was reaching ahead – he was only coming for afternoon tea, after all – she didn’t want to give him the wrong impression.
Ruth was hugging her knees to her chest. “Describe him to me, Ara.”
Ara sighed. “He is tall, taller than the average man,” she said slowly. “And has a sturdy, strong physique. He has wavy dark brown hair, and very dark eyes…”
“Is he handsome?” piped up Ruth, staring at her intently.
Ara felt a flush overtake her features. “He is very handsome, Ruth.” She paused. “He is the handsomest man that I have ever seen…”
Ruth gasped. “Oh, Ara! It is almost as if it was meant to be! After all, you were not supposed to go walking by yourself, and you only stopped at the horse auction by chance.” She took a deep breath. “Do you believe in fate? That there might be someone, out there, who you are always meant to meet, even in the most exceptional of circumstances?”
Ara smiled. Her cousin was such a romantic. “I do not know, Ruth.” She frowned slightly. “Idolike him. But I do not want to encourage him. You know my views on courtship and marriage…”
