Page 67 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
The door opened. They were so engrossed in each other that they both jumped back. Her father came into the room. He stared at them, a slow smile spreading over his face.
“I trust you have had sufficient time to express your thanks, Arabella,” he said. He turned to Miles. “The prisoner is ready, as are my men, my lord.”
Miles nodded, taking a deep breath. “So be it. We should head off immediately.”
Ara quivered. She knew that this was going to happen, but now that it was imminent, she wanted to cling to him, begging him not to leave her. Her hands itched with the desire. With difficulty, she took a deep breath.
“I shall leave you to it, my lord,” she said slowly. “Safe travels. Please, be careful…”
He nodded. A strained silence stretched between them, fraught with longing. She knew that he wanted to hold her, for a last moment, as much as she wanted to be held.
She swallowed a painful lump that had suddenly formed in her throat, and turned away, walking to the door, opening it. She forced herself not to look back at the two men standing there, before slipping out into the hallway.
A sudden fear seized her. He had promised that he would return to her. But what if something happened to him along the way?
***
Ara walked over to the window, gazing down at the scene below. Miles was already on horseback, along with three of her father’s men. The man who had abducted her was secure, sitting in front of one of the men, atop a horse. At the sight of him, her heart quickened. Memories of what he had done to her abruptly assailed her. Desperately, she fought back the overwhelming panic.
Miles glanced up. Her heart beat faster still. He was watching her, but she didn’t wave to him. There was no need to. They both knew what had been promised.
She sensed Ruth just behind her. Her cousin was staring out the window, as well. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her arm, patting her reassuringly.
“It is over, Ara,” her cousin whispered. “You have no need to fear anymore. He is being dealt with, once and for all.”
Ara blinked back sudden tears. Ruth was being so gentle and kind to her; it was just like old times between them. She felt like any lingering resentment that Ruth had held towards her, about what had happened in London, had finally dissipated.
She stared at her cousin. “I am sorry, Ruth,” she whispered. “I am so sorry for everything…”
Ruth squeezed her arm. “You should not say that, after all that you have endured today.” She took a deep breath. “I was so worried about you, my dearest cousin. We all were. You must know how much we love you, and only want your happiness.”
Ara smiled wanly. “I think that Idoknow that, at long last. I know that you have all found me difficult.” She paused. “But I think, at long last, that I may finally make my parents happy…”
Ruth’s eyes shone. “Is it Lord Comerford? He has been so brave, Ara! I think that you finally realise that you love him, do you not?”
Ara stared down again at the scene below. They were leaving now, riding through the front gates in a straight line. Miles was at the front, leading the riders. She watched them fly down the path, before disappearing around a bend.
Her heart clenched. Would he get there safely? He was still injured, and so weary.
She turned back to her cousin. “Yes,” she said slowly. “Idolove him, Ruth. And he loves me. I finally realise that it is real, what is between us…”
Her cousin clapped her hands together in delight. “Oh, I always knew it, Ara! I always knew that he was desperately in love with you. Even after what happened at the ball, I still could not shake it off, that he had been genuine in his regard.”
Ara smiled slightly. “You are such a romantic, dear cousin.Idid not believe it. But now, everything has changed…”
Ruth grew solemn. “He will return, then, and ask for your hand in marriage?”
Ara’s smile widened. “I hope so.” She blinked back the tears. “Who would have dreamt it, that I would one day yearn for matrimony? Wonders never cease!”
Ruth blinked back tears, too. “You just needed to find the right man, Ara. It was always about that. A man who loves you, just the way that you are, and does not desire to change you or suppress your nature.” She paused. “Matrimony does not have to be the end of life. If it is done right, with the right man, then surely it is just the beginning.”
Ara gazed at her cousin in wonder. Ruth was only seventeen, and yet she seemed to possess wisdom far beyond her years. If only she had listened to her from the beginning.
She bit her lip, gazing back out of the window. The riding party were long gone. She could not see them at all anymore. A deep melancholy gripped her.
“Do not worry,” said Ruth, as if she had read her mind. “He will return to you, and then all will be as it should be.”
Ara nodded, but she was not convinced. Anything could happen to him. Until he was safely back at Rudwick House, she was sure she would not sleep a wink.
