Page 46 of An Earl's Scandalous Return
Winking. I feel like a young, boyish fool again, stuck in the depths of love and infatuation.
He wanted to roll his eyes at himself but was far too happy for Arabella’s sake. Seraphina cleared her throat and began.
Chapter 49
Arabella couldn’t believe it. In the carriage, after the flasks of warm wine had been consumed as well as a few warm rolls that they’d collected from the innkeeper before their strange journey, Arabella was still amazed at Seraphina’s story. She was glad, too.
“So, my father is not guilty of murder?”
“No.” Seraphina shook her head. “Ourfather is not guilty of murder.”
Arabella felt happy tears as she grinned at her new sister.
“Our father. Thanks be to God. I am so glad. He was always so good and kind. And well, it seems that this all happened after my mother’s death, which gives me some comfort. That he had not chosen to lay with the housekeeper while still a married man.”
Seraphina bit her lip. “I still cannot believe that Fath—I mean Gregory, so full of anguish could so such a thing as take me and my mother. From what I can gather, she loved our father very much.” Seraphina sighed. “It will take me some time to get used to not calling him Father.”
“But, of course, Seraphina. It is completely understandable.”
Arabella tried to give her sister a comforting smile. “And Father would never have forced her to go away in shame. He would have helped her. He must have been heartbroken to hear of her death. I am sorry too, Seraphina.”
“Well,” Seraphina said, reaching over to take her hand, “it seems then that we have even more in common. We share a father, and both our mothers are already passed. I am just sorry that I did not get the chance to meet him.”
“So am I, Seraphina. He would have loved you terribly and been overjoyed to have you in our lives. So, I know you still have to think it over, but you would be most welcome to come and live with us in London. I know that Alvin will feel the same.”
“But Arabella, please, you have to understand what you are taking on. I am just a woman from nowhere with dubious parentage. I am the natural daughter of your father, not legitimate. Surely that will bring scandal upon you?”
Arabella shook her head. “I don’t care. You are family. We will find a way to sort it all.”
Seraphina began to cry, such a change from her earlier laughter, and Arabella calmed her. “We will be together now, and I will send word to my brother as soon as we are settled in Essex.”
“And I will send word to the authorities that Gregory is guilty of kidnapping. The authorities in your area would have come upon him last night, but I hope the magistrate will be able to do more,” Edward added.
“Thank you,” Seraphina breathed out, looking quite relieved to be done with it all.
Edward remained quiet as Arabella and Seraphina talked on the journey, getting to know one another. She knew he likely was tired, ready to rest and be done with this whole business, but he remained silent, allowing them their own space. And he was taking them to his aunt’s house. She couldn’t imagine such kindness, and every so often, she stole a glance his way to see him watching her closely.
So many words were on the tip of her tongue, but they could wait until they were settled in Essex. A few hours later, they arrived, and even though it was in the wee hours of the morning, the housekeeper roused a very happy aunt, greeting them all kindly as they were taken to their rooms.
Once they were all downstairs in the breakfast room, hot, delicious food before them, did all come out in explanation. Edward was thorough but not indiscreet, and Arabella remembered that he believed that his aunt, his father’s sister, was the wisest and dearest of all his relatives.
“I am so glad you’ve come to stay, and you were right to think of me.” Her all-knowing eye scanned Seraphina as she sat timidly eating a piece of toast. “You are lovely, young lady, and I would be very glad to assist you in learning to become a proper young lady to join in society. What say you to that, Lady Arabella?”
“Please, you must only call me Arabella, Your Grace. And I would be very happy for that. If Seraphina is amenable, then we rely on your wisdom and instruction.”
His Aunt Sophia was the daughter of a duke herself, and she had married a duke before his untimely death a decade before. Arabella was glad to have the help of such an esteemed personage.
“How wonderful. I have needed a useful project, and you two will make it such fun. Edward, will you be remaining here the whole of the time?”
“But of course, Aunt. I will return them to London when the time is right.”
She grinned, lines forming at the corners of her eyes, and she clapped. “What a merry party we shall make. Come, come, once you are finished, we shall begin with the first things. I shall call for the dressmaker.”
Chapter 50
The next two days were a bustle of activity. Edward kept himself busy, reading and sending letters, but occasionally, he’d catch sight of the women laughing together, practicing dancing or talking about life in London. And every time he spotted Arabella’s lovely face, he could see just how unabashedly happy she was.
Edward was in awe of this woman. She had been born to extensive privilege, yet she was kind to everyone she met. She now had a father who told her lies, her brother on the edge of scandal because of it, and a new sister plucked from the countryside to bring with her back to London.
