Page 72 of A Duke's Lustful Portrait
“I won’t leave without you, Grandmother.”
Priscilla closed her eyes and sighed again. “I am an old woman, Arabella. I have lived my life, and I have made myriad mistakes. Your father, his way of being, that’s all down to me. If I had been a better mother, then perhaps—”
“No, don’t say such a thing. He was born with the Devil inside him, that’s all. There was nothing you could have done to prevent that.”
Priscilla looked up at her and smiled gratefully. “You are such a kind child. You always were. But only one of us can leave, Arabella, and it must be you. Please, let me do this. Let me right the wrongs I have done in my life. Even if, God forbid, it is my final act, then at least I will know I have done right by you up until the very last moment. And I will die happily if I know you are safe.”
Arabella swallowed back her tears. The thought of leaving her grandmother was bad enough, but she was horrified by the thought of what her father would do once he realized that Priscilla had helped her leave.
“But how could I ever live with myself?”
Priscilla squeezed her hand. “You will do so knowing you have done the right thing. And you will honour it by living your life, being free. But I promise nothing bad will happen to me. Iwillsend you money, and Iwillexpect you to write to me with all your exciting news.”
Arabella blinked, and a tear ran down her cheek. She closed her eyes and nodded, giving her grandmother the answer she was looking for.
“Good girl,” Priscilla said softly. “Now, open your eyes and listen to me.”
Arabella took a moment, wanting to savour this time with her grandmother. She breathed in the scent of her, the warmth of her, the comfort and familiarity. Finally, she opened her eyes.
“Good,” Priscilla said. “Mr Wilson told me he knows a family in the north of England. The father is a kindly businessman with three daughters, but they lost their only son in a terrible carriage accident a year or so ago. Sadly, the mother has taken ill herself, and they need help. They are willing to let you stay and keep you safe. In return, all they ask is that you help the mother and her daughters around the home.”
Arabella nodded. “I would be glad to do so,” she said.
Priscilla smiled and patted the back of her hand. “I knew you would be. You have a heart larger than the Chapel of Saint Paul, which is quite something after all you’ve been through. This family has been friends with Mr Wilson for a very long time indeed, and he assures me they are good people. And your father will never think to look for you in the north. It will take him years to search London alone.”
“But how will I get there? What—”
“Everything has been taken care of, Arabella. Fate has played her hand. Your father is sending the chamberlain to Hertfordshire in two days’ time for some work. You will travel with him, hidden from your father’s knowledge. Mr. Price, the man whose household you will be joining, will meet you there, and together, you will travel to Derbyshire, where he lives. It will be a long and arduous journey, Arabella, but I truly believe it is for the best.”
“Derbyshire! Goodness me that is a long way.”
Priscilla nodded. “The further away, the better, as far as I am concerned.”
Fear thrummed through her body. Fear for Sebastian, fear of her father. But she feared leaving as much as she feared staying, losing everything she had ever known and loved. Losing Priscilla.
But even now, in the few moments she had to get used to the idea, she could feel the excitement beginning to bubble, tiny morsels of hope and opportunity. She would be allowed to live her own life, outside her father’s shadow. She could explore Derbyshire, make friends, and even become a family with the Prices.
And when all is settled, I can send for my grandmother and begin the search for Sebastian.
She nodded at her own thought, allowing the hope to creep back in.
“We only have to wait two days, but a lot can happen in two days. Will you be ready?”
Arabella looked deep into her grandmother’s hope-filled eyes, and she nodded again. “Yes, Grandmother. I’ll be ready.”
Chapter 35
Sebastian knew Westment Manor well enough that he could enter and exit the house with no one knowing. He slipped in through the French doors at the back of the house and crept up the stairs. He moved past Arabella’s bedchambers, briefly putting a hand to the door, then went to Sinclair’s study without anyone discovering him.
It had been almost two days since he was last in this house, and now it had a completely different feel to it. The air had a mournful quality, and Sebastian hoped Arabella wasn’t suffering her father’s wrath too much.
Don’t think of that now.
His concerns for Arabella would have to wait. He had more important matters to deal with. When this was all over, then perhaps … perhaps they would have a chance. But he couldn’t allow himself to think about it now; it was too distracting.
It had been a difficult two days. Sebastian had spent a lot of time in the tavern, paying the keeper handsomely for his kindness and advice. The man—Adam—had even procured Sebastian a selection of commoner’s clothes so he wouldn’t look out of place. Sebastian had told him he had a plan to steal from a wealthy man, and that was why he had been dressed as a gentleman, but it had gone wrong, and now he was out for revenge.
Now, as he opened the study door and peered in, he reminded himself to repay Adam his kindness, even if he had only helped because of his own feelings towards the nobility.
