Page 1 of An Earl's Scandalous Return
Chapter 1
London, May 1817
Earl of Montrose’s Townhome
“I’m so happy for you both, truly,” Lady Arabella Simpkin said to her brother, Alvin, the Earl of Montrose, and his betrothed, Lady Jacinda Carson.
Lady Jacinda was a dark-haired beauty, one of the glimmering diamonds of the Season, and she knew her brother had fallen for his betrothed almost as soon as he’d looked upon her.
They were beaming as they held hands in front of Arabella, both unable to stop smiling. Arabella couldn’t either, and she hoped they couldn’t detect anything besides happiness in her expression. She rose from her seat and reached her hands out for them. They each took one, and Arabella fought back a slight sense of loss.
“You will be so happy together; I know you will,” she said.
“Thank you, Arabella,” Alvin said, his blue eyes dancing as he leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek. “We just couldn’t wait to tell you.”
Jacinda was bouncing on her toes, and when Alvin pulled away, she grabbed Arabella into a tight embrace. “We shall be sisters! I cannot wait.” She sighed with delight and held Arabella back from her. “It will be published in the paper tomorrow, and then the whole ton will know.”
“Very good. Please, this calls for champagne, I believe, brother,” Arabella said, and Alvin laughed, heading for the door.
“Quite right, sister. I will go and send for it at once.
He left, leaving only the two ladies in the sitting room. They sat down on the chaise, and Jacinda held her hands.
“Arabella, I know that you and Alvin have suffered so at the loss of your parents, but I hope that you, too, can consider my family yours when we marry.”
Arabella’s eyes were moist, and she smiled at her soon-to-be sister-in-law. “You are so kind to me, and I will certainly think of you as family. I already do.”
It was true. In the last year, Jacinda had become very dear, and her family had always been kind to Arabella. Her father had died a couple of years before, and now she and Alvin were completely on their own. But now the engagement had been announced, she felt more alone than ever. As if her life had not yet begun and she was simply waiting for it to start.
“You will find someone, too,” Jacinda said, reaching out to push a strand of Arabella’s dark blonde hair behind her ear.
Arabella cast her eyes down at her hands. “Do not worry about me. Think only of your own happiness.”
A pair of hazel eyes, a sweep of dark brown curls, and a strong jaw flashed in her mind. But she swallowed, pushing that face from memory. It didn’t serve her well to think ofhimany longer. Or his kindness, intelligence, and how he’d made her feel.
“Well, Mother is very excited. She has big plans for the wedding preparations, but I’m happy enough to have a simple wedding.”
Arabella chuckled. “Knowing your mother and the fact that you are a daughter of a duke, my friend means that you will have the wedding of the Season.”
Jacinda rolled her eyes and laughed, and Alvin returned, with the butler trailing behind, carrying a tray of two champagne bottles and glasses. He poured a glass for each of them, passed them out, and bowed, leaving them to their celebrations.
“I shall make a toast,” Alvin said, lifting his glass with a sly, handsome grin.
Arabella lifted hers as well, watching her brother with amusement. He was older than her by almost ten years, yet she could still remember his boyish ways, teaching her how to climb trees, play ball games, and whistle. It seemed strange now that he was the Earl of Montrose, about to wed, and with such responsibility on his shoulders.
I am now a part of that responsibility he must shoulder.
That thought made her smile falter just a little. Being a burden was never something she had aspired to be. But she didn’t want anything to dampen her brother’s happiness. The death of their father had nearly killed him, but right then, he looked as if he’d finally been able to pack some of his grief away.
“To my soon-to-be bride, Jacinda. I love you dearly, and I am so glad that you and I will begin this journey of life together.”
She and Jacinda smiled, and then when she was about to drink, Alvin continued. His kind eyes turned to her, and he lifted his glass towards her.
“And to you, dear sister, who has always been a rock of strength for us both. You are beloved and cherished, and I am so very grateful that I have at least one member of my family here to celebrate my new happiness with me.”
Arabella felt her heart break a little inside, and one tear slipped down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away. “Thank you, Alvin,” she said in a hoarse tone.
He winked at her, and then they drank, Alvin, sitting down to listen to Jacinda’s excited ramblings. “I think we should get married on a beautiful sunny day, Alvin,” she began, and Alvin chuckled.
