Page 9 of An Earl's Scandalous Return
She poured herself a brandy, and with a shaking hand, she took a long draught of it. Then, she went to sit down on the chaise longue in front of the fire. Her breath eventually slowed, and the tears dried. As she stared into the flames, she thought of Edward, the long-ago Edward she’d known and loved and … kissed. Her cheeks bloomed at one memory in particular.
Lady Glenda’s balls were renowned for their décor and music, and four years ago, Arabella had been thrilled to go and dance with Edward at one of them.
He’d asked her to join him in the gardens after one particular dance, and she remembered the feel of his hand in hers as they walked down the garden path, lights growing dimmer. She’d known she loved him then, as his mouth had taken hers against the garden wall, hidden from view.
Their bodies melded together, her chest heaving against his as his tongue slid into her mouth, his hands grasping at her buttocks. “Arabella,” he’d breathed into her ear before nibbling it, making a shiver run down her spine.
She’d pulled his mouth back to hers, and his hands had trailed down her chest until they grasped her breasts, rubbing his thumbs along her nipples.
“Christ,” he’d whispered, his eyes full of blooming heat. “I want you more than words can say, my love.”
And then he’d kissed her again, his hand reaching down to lift her skirts until he could slide his fingers underneath in the gap in her drawers. She trusted Edward completely, wanted him completely, and she knew they would wed. There was no hesitation at that moment.
She’d gasped when his fingers had touched her warm, wet centre for the first time. Arabella had bit her lip as his fingers slid inside her, rubbing against the nub of pleasure slowly but firmly. His mouth kissed hers again, swallowing a scream as she’d come to her pleasure right there in Lady Glenda’s garden.
But then, breathless, he’d pulled away, leaning his forehead against hers. “Forgive me, my love. I want nothing more than to bed you,” he’d said on a swallow, “but I want it to be special once the two of us are wed. Which will be soon.”
Tears came again at the memory of his words, and her mind returned to the present. How wrong he had been to wait! He had promised that soon they would be together, and they had all the time in the world, but fate had had other plans.
It was the last time they had been together, and Arabella’s skin still thrummed from his touch all these years later. Seeing him again that night had only spurred it on again.
She finished her brandy and rose to pour herself another. “He will surely hate me even more after tonight. I must put it behind me.” She needed to speak the words aloud to help herself believe them – to put them into action.
Taking her brandy, she left the sitting room to go upstairs to prepare for bed. She called for her maid, who assisted her to undress, and then she went to the library to read for a time, wanting to wait until Alvin returned to explain her departure so suddenly.
And she knew that she would not be able to sleep after such a night. Reading always helped to calm her. After her time with Edward, she had gained such interest in so many subjects, especially the stars, that reading brought her solace. Learning new things always reminded her of him, and even though those memories came with pain, there was goodness, too.
When she heard the door, Arabella rushed from the library to the doorway, where she saw her brother and the butler in the shadows.
“Alvin,” she said, stepping forward. “I wanted to wait for you.”
“You should not have. I received your note that you were unwell.” His voice was flat, and she frowned, getting closer to see him better.
“Well, I will rest now. But I see that you had a good time, staying so long. You must have enjoyed yourself.”
But something didn’t feel right. When she smiled at him, she noticed his tired features, and he did not smile in return. The grieving Alvin she’d known seemed to have returned.
“No. The engagement is off, sister. I am no longer an engaged man, and all because of this.” He held out a letter and handed it out to her.
Arabella’s stomach sank.
Chapter 10
“What?” she asked, her fingers trembling as she opened the letter and moved to stand under one of the candles on the wall.
Her eyes skimmed the letter quickly.
Your Grace,
Consider me a man concerned for your welfare. I have the information that the man your daughter has just made her betrothed is the son of a liar and a cheat. His father, the wicked man that he was, impregnated his housekeeper years ago. When it was discovered that the woman was pregnant, he sent her away. Once the child was born, he sold it, and he had the housekeeper killed as well to keep her quiet so as to not ruin his reputation.
Now, I know this is rather scandalous, but I think one would wish to pay anything to keep this secret from getting out. Especially with your daughter becoming recently entwined with the man’s son. Evil runs in the blood, so it does. Feel free to send to the address below.
Gregory, A friend
Arabella blinked a few times, staring at the words on the page, unsure if they were really true. Her father, having done such a wicked and cruel thing? It didn’t seem right.
“No, Alvin, surely this is a mistake. A cruel joke being played on you?”
