Page 22 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
Ara,he thought again.Beautiful Ara….
Firmly, he put her out of his mind. It was all for the best, anyway. He would not pursue her. It wasn’t fair, when he had no heart to give. And besides, he had lied to her, telling her he was his brother. It was sadly all too complicated already.
He put down his drink. It was better to do it now. Cut if off cleanly, and easily, like a half severed branch.
But even as his resolve firmed, the image of her in the dream came into his mind, tantalisingly real.
Chapter 11
Ara was buttering her toast, carefully scraping it over the bread, when Harding the butler walked in, giving a letter to her father.
“What’s this?” exclaimed Mr. Nott, turning it over in his hand curiously. “It is from old Farnsworth at Digby Lodge!”
Her mother put down her tea cup, staring at him. “That is odd. I have never known Mr. Farnsworth to communicate with us when we are in London before.” She kept gazing at her husband. “Well, open it my dear!”
With a sigh, Mr. Nott placed down his spoon near his egg cup. He sliced open the letter, frowning as he read it. He stared at his wife incredulously when he was finished.
“Well, I never!” he exclaimed. “It seems that there has been a break in there! Farnsworth discovered several pieces of his silver missing. And the thieves also raided poor Cecilia’s jewellery box, taking most of her collection!”
“What?” cried Mrs. Nott, fanning herself with her napkin. “But that is awful! Poor Cecilia! She will simply never recover. Some of those pieces were family heirlooms, worth thousands….as well as the sentimental value, of course.”
Mr. Nott’s face was grim. “The silver was valuable, too. The Frasby constabulary are on the lookout, but I am afraid there are no results yet. The thief, or thieves, are still at large.” His frown deepened. “Farnsworth says that we should step up security at Rudwick House in our absence, my dear. These blaggards were shameless in targeting Digby Lodge when it was clearly occupied, but a vacant house is like an open invitation…”
Ruth had paled. “Do you think we will be safe when we return there, Uncle?”
“They would not want to try it when I am there,” growled Mr. Nott. “But in the meantime, I shall employ some extra men who can patrol the grounds and house while we are not. Do not worry, Ruth. All will be well.”
Despite her father’s reassurances, Ara could see that her mother and Ruth were clearly still worried. She thought of all the valuable possessions they had at their home, which could entice a thief. She shuddered, thinking about a stranger or strangers scouring her beloved home’s halls and rooms, invading their privacy. Going through their possessions with a dispassionate eye, and cherry picking the best of them.
She took a deep breath. “I am sure that Papa is right,” she said. “All will be well, if we are vigilant. And the local constabulary will probably find whoever did this, and then we do not need to worry anymore, do we?”
“I am sure you are correct, Ara,” said her mother, still not looking convinced. She sighed deeply. “If we have extra staff guarding the house in our absence, we should put it out of our minds. And I do not want it to put a cloud over our season here, girls! Today we are fitted for our new gowns for the Duke’s ball, and we should concentrate on that…”
Ara blanched, putting down her toast. Another infernal dress fitting! It was almost worse than the thought of a house break in.
Nothing bad can happen at Rudwick House,she thought.It was probably a one off. The thieves have more than likely left the district, with their loot. Lightning doesn’t strike twice, does it?
With that, she pushed the disturbing news firmly out of her mind. The dress fitting loomed, and that was a horror she simply could not avoid.
***
The dressmaker, Mrs. Hogan, adjusted the sleeves on the gown, smiling. Then she stepped back, indicating the full length mirror, which stood in front of Ara.
“There, Miss Nott,” said the dressmaker, her smile widening. “It is done! What do you think?”
Ara stared at herself in the mirror. She didn’t care a jot for gowns, but even she had to admit, this onewasrather special.
It fell to the ground in waves of diaphanous ivory chiffon and silk, almost whispering around her body. It felt wonderful. The dressmaker had embroidered the bodice in tiny nosegays, which were scattered across it like stars. Itdefinitelywas a cut above what the Frasby dressmaker had made for them. Ara could see why her mother had insisted they go to a top London dressmaker now; the workmanship, cut and style were far superior.
She smiled slightly, staring at herself in it, thinking of wearing it to the ball. Her heart started to beat just a little faster at the thought of the Duke seeing her wearing it. Seeing his reaction to her in it. Would his eyes widen dramatically? Would he stare at her as if she were a vision of loveliness?
Her smile faded a little. Why was she thinking such silly things? Why on earth did she care if she looked nice for the Duke? It was so confusing she just didn’t understand it at all.
“Ara?” Ruth’s voice reached her, beyond the curtain of the dressing room. “May I come in and have a look?”
Ara smiled slightly. “Of course, my dear.”
The curtain opened slightly, and Ruth came into the room. Mrs. Hogan stepped back, smiling. “I will leave you two alone for a moment,” she said discreetly, leaving them.
