Page 58 of An Earl's Scandalous Return
Edward spoke truthfully and was surprised at how easily it had come forth. That was his real fear that somehow, along the way, Arabella would choose another over him and leave him just as she had before.
To his surprise, his father smiled at him.
“All I see when I look at her is a young woman deeply in love. And you, as well, are hopelessly so. I could even see it when you returned from your travels after four years of not seeing her. Arabella was simply trying to make everyone happy; it is a very common affliction.
But do not run away again, Edward, before you can make things right. Do not ruin your own happiness when your future lies ahead of you now. Nothing is in your way. I’m only sorry for my part in it that I kept you from the young woman you loved.”
“You’re forgiven, Father,” Edward said, and it was like the light had suddenly shifted.
“Good. Now, you need to forgive her, too, and you need not to leave and get the woman you love. Speak to her, Edward, before it’s too late.” His father rose, and Edward rose as well, walking with him to the door.
“I will,” he agreed, surprising himself. “I will.”
Touching his shoulder, his father smiled up at him. “Very good. I see that I still have some fatherly talents to my name. Now, good night, and I shall see you in the morning. Better days are ahead, my boy, and I now may sleep in peace.”
He left Edward on his own, and Edward, after a few seconds, realised that he had a valet to stop packing and a carriage driver to stop getting the horses ready.
I hope it will not be too late.
Chapter 63
After breakfast the next morning, the three young ladies sat in the sitting room with their embroidery. It was one of the required lessons of Aunt Sophia, making sure that Seraphina had the usual talents. But it also provided them the chance to sit on their own, and that morning, Arabella needed the balm of kinship. For Edward had rushed away last evening, so Alvin had told her.
Now I know that he had just created a lie to get away from me. Even though his father is here, he was desperate to return to London to be apart from me.
That made his leaving all the crueler. She couldn’t believe he had simply left because he’d got what he wanted from her. She knew that it was something more, something deeper than that. She also knew he was the only one who could figure that out; she certainly couldn’t do it for him.
“I wonder why Edward rushed off in the middle of the night. I do hope everything is well in London,” Jacinda said innocently as she pulled a thread tight.
“So do I,” Seraphina said, glancing at Arabella.
“I am sure that after his lengthy bout of travelling, he has much to get in order. Now that the trial for Gregory is soon underway, he will have even more to handle. And he will have to battle the gossips just as much as us,” Jacinda said.
Arabella kept her eyes on her embroidery, trying to focus on something trivial and mundane so she didn’t have to feel her heart breaking.
Seraphina let out a huff of frustration, and she put down her embroidery, making Arabella glance up. “I don’t think I will ever be very good at this, and my limbs crave movement. I’m not used to sitting so much. At home, I was in charge of the entire household, small as it was, and I was moving from dawn to dusk.”
“I know this sounds rude, but I do envy you that, Seraphina,” Jacinda replied, she too putting down her embroidery. “I have never been very good at this, but it’s best to humour my mother whenever possible.” She laughed, and Arabella yet again envied her sister-in-law’s happiness.
Why could Edward not be as courageous as Alvin clearly was? It was enough to drive a woman mad.
“I suppose I will have to learn the ways, but I don’t think I will ever learn to sit easily,” Seraphina admitted.
“Well, then we should go for a walk,” Arabella said to that, putting down her embroidery and standing up. “I think a walk could do us all good. We will be returning to London in a few days, and there will not be as much time then.”
“Wonderful!” Seraphina jumped to her feet, and Jacinda followed, taking her new sister-in-law’s arm. “The gardens are beautiful here.”
They were just heading to the door when Edward walked in without knocking, and he simply stood there, his hand on the knob, looking surprised that all three women were standing right there in front of the door.
“Edward,” Jacinda said, pulling Seraphina closer. “May we help you?”
“Arabella,” Edward said suddenly, his eyes turning to hers. “I came to speak to Arabella.”
“Wonderful. We shall allow you.” Jacinda took a grinning Seraphina from the room, and Arabella backed up into it.
Edward shut the door, and Arabella realised she had a thousand questions. One of which was, “What are you doing here?” she blurted out before he could say anything.
Edward put his hands behind his back and slowly looked up at her. She could tell just how tired he was.
