Page 80 of A Duke's Lustful Portrait
“Honestly, Arabella, you look beautiful! I don’t know how many times I have to tell you!”
“I know, I know,” she said, looking at Priscilla’s reflection in the looking glass. “I’m just incredibly nervous.”
“You’ve seen the man in the finest and worst clothes. I have no doubt you’ve seen him in no clothes, as well, knowing what your father had you do. You’ve seen him drunk, you’ve seen him fight, you’ve seen him dance, you’ve seen him do battle with your father. And you think you have any reason to be nervous?”
Arabella swung around but giggled as she did. She and Priscilla had taken great pains to select a lemon-yellow gown with fine embroidery around the hem and a bonnet with a matching yellow ribbon.
“Yes, all that is true, but I have never done this before. I’ve nevercourtedas such.”
Priscilla smiled warmly. “You are past the courting stage, I believe, my dear girl. But yes, I understand completely. Now quick, he’ll be here in just a moment.”
Arabella glanced at her reflection one last time and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “All right, I’m ready.”
“That’s good.” Arabella’s head shot up at the voice, thick and velvety. A voice she loved to hear.
“Sebastian! You’re early.”
He pulled his pocket watch out and clicked it open. “No, no.” He shook his head. “It says here I am exactly on time. And you are ready, so that is good.”
He bowed to her, his top hat tucked beneath his arm. He wore a fine linen suit and a silk cravat, and his boots had been polished to such a shine she could see her face in them.
“You look like a true gentleman,” she said with a grin. “Have you been raiding the duke’s wardrobe again?”
She giggled, showing him she was only teasing, and he smiled wanly.
“In fact, these are my own clothes. Hector does give me an allowance, you know. He likes his heir to be properly dressed.”
“Allowance?” She raised her eyebrows at him. “Heir?”
He chuckled and held out his arm. “Come, let’s go for a turn about the garden, and I shall tell you everything.”
“I thought you already had,” she muttered, but she took his arm gratefully, and together, they left the house.
The day was bright, the sun high in the sky, a few wispy clouds drifting lazily across it. The gardens continued to be perfect, even after her father’s departure. The gardeners worked hard day and night to preserve the careful topiary and the newly installed fountains.
“Let’s go this way,” she said, guiding him to the left. “There’s a donkey in a field near where the horses graze, and he’s just the dearest thing.”
“There’s nothing quite as spectacular as a donkey’s ears,” he agreed.
They crunched over the gravel path, and Arabella raised her face to the sun’s warmth, enjoying the sensation of summer—and a handsome man on her arm.
“Are you going to tell me about your meeting with the constable?” she asked after a moment, unable to bear the silence any longer.
“I wondered when you would ask. Alas, I’m to be hanged next week.”
Arabella gasped and stopped walking, her mouth hanging open in horror. He continued walking for a step or two before turning to her in surprise and laughing.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Arabella,” he said. He wiped a tear from his eye, his body almost bent double in amusement. “I didn’t mean … I thought you’d understand I was joking.”
“So you’re not to be hanged?” she asked, still entirely baffled.
“No! Of course not! I was a petty thief, not a murderer!”
She marched the few steps to meet him and slapped him on the arm. “That is not very funny, Sebastian Smith. Indeed, hangings are never funny and should never, ever be joked about.”
He forced his lips into a frown. “You’re quite right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. Do you forgive me?”
She pursed her lips, eyeing him before allowing herself to soften. “Yes, but only if you tell me whatreallyhappened.”
