Page 43 of An Earl's Scandalous Return
“You are right that we do not know this person’s character. But I am very certain that he wouldn’t dare to hurt her. For one, he has raised her as his own child all these years. One does not do such a thing without any sort of feeling. But a perhaps even stronger factor is that he still wants to get his revenge. If he kills her, then his revenge is useless.”
Edward pulled her away from him, and he looked down into her eyes, his hands coming to rest on her cheeks.
“Do you see what I mean?”
Arabella was amazed at how well Edward’s words and his presence could calm her, even after so much had happened between them, so much that hurt. She loved the feel of his thumbs brushing against her cheeks, and she desperately wanted to close her eyes and give into the feeling, to let him kiss her and make her forget everything she feared.
Not yet, a voice whispered inside her mind.But soon.
“Yes, I see. You are right. He would need her to complete his revenge.”
Smiling, he removed his hands, took her hand, and brought it to his lips. “So, we shall go and see the house and see if we cannot learn any new information.”
Someone was walking past, a young man with a jaunty hat, whistling as he passed when Edward stopped him.
“Young man,” he said. “Would you happen to know the way to Mr Marsh’s house?”
“Mr Marsh?” The young man guffawed with laughter. “There is no one here who calls him that. Marsh or Old Marsh is the name.” He hooked a thumb behind him. “He’s back on this street, a few houses down. The cottage has a crooked shutter.”
“Thank you, my good man,” Edward replied, turning back to Arabella. “Shall we?”
She took his arm, and they walked down the narrow street until they found the house with the crooked shutter. He pulled her into a side alley, and they looked on, keeping out of sight.
“Well, there he is,” Arabella said, an uneasy feeling claiming her belly as she spotted Gregory Marsh walking out of his cottage, looking left and right nervously before he limped away down the street.
Chapter 46
Edward was glad he could comfort Arabella somewhat. They watched the house until a few minutes later, Gregory returned, yet again looking nervous. But this time, he had a basket in hand, and he was certain the food was for him and Seraphina. He told Arabella as much on their way back to the inn, and she felt relieved.
“Yes, I believe you’re right. But what to do now? We can’t just sit back and watch as she remains inside. We must do something.”
They were sitting down to dinner at the inn, and Edward was glad she did not look as worried as before. But he could tell she was not yet ready for any other discussion but for that of her new sister.
“Well, I have a plan, and we can see if you will agree.”
Her eyes widened with excitement. “Oh, do tell. I am ready to do anything to help Seraphina and return to London with our good news for Alvin. And then we can all move on.” She sighed, looking at him, but she quickly coloured and looked away. “What is your idea, Edward?”
He shook off his concern for the moment that she might really wish to move on when they returned to London, move on in every way, meaning that there could be no hope for him.
Do not be a fool. She wanted to talk about the past; she does not want to give up.
Even that morning, they’d woken up tangled up in one another, and he’d pretended to remain asleep when she woke just so he could continue to hold her for a bit longer. And the little minx had pressed that lovely backside of hers into his hardened length, teasing him just a bit before she’d got up. He’d groaned but hoped that she’d thought him still sleeping.
Trying to keep his mind on the matter at hand, Edward said, “I think we should break into the house one night when Gregory is asleep. While I would suggest it during the day, he does not seem to leave for very long at a time. And the two of us will draw too much attention. I would not wish for any word to get back to London about our situation here before it can be resolved. What say you?”
Arabella paused, her fingers drumming on the arm of the chair as she thought. The smells of dinner were in the air, and the inn was rather bustling at that time in the evening. He’d paid for their room for another night, and he was glad there had been no mention between them that they should perhaps book a second room for propriety’s sake.
He’d got used to the scent of her, the feel of her, and he was glad to have another night with her before they’d start their way back. For if Seraphina returned with them, the sisters would certainly stay together, and he would be somewhere on his own, wishing he could wrap his arms about Arabella. However, he had another sort of plan in mind to keep them from returning to London just yet.
“Very well. Tomorrow night, then?” she asked, looking nervous but also hopeful.
“Tomorrow night. We shall have everything prepared and bring the carriage nearer to the house so that when we emerge, with Seraphina in tow, we can simply jump into the carriage and be off.”
“And Gregory? Do we just leave him there?” Arabella asked.
“Yes, of course. By taking Seraphina away, we have taken away his power for revenge, have we not?”
“But we do not know all the details. Perhaps my father is really guilty of what happened.” She shuddered. “And then what? Any mention of that in London and the scandal will certainly remain.”
