Page 18 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
Arabella hardly dared to hope but thought she might have found a friend. Their children were almost the same age, and both lived alone. Elinor told her she hoped that her husband would return the following year. He had already been gone for several years.
“It was wonderful when Napoleon was imprisoned on the Isle of Elba,” she confided. “Charles returned home, and we had a proper family life. I long for that in the future.”
Arabella explained the circumstances that had made her a widow as quickly as she could. She preferred not to talk about it, and there was no need to go into details.
Elinor surprised her by touching her arm gently. “You are with friends here at Montbury,” she said gently. “I hope you enjoy living here. Your aunt and uncle are lovely people. In fact, I believe that Mama said we are to dine with you at Horton Hall tomorrow.”
As their baskets filled with wild strawberries, they talked about the possibility of the two boys sharing lessons.
“Lady Farrington, I know we have only just met, and I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I wonder if Henry would be interested in joining Freddy for lessons. The Reverend Colbrooke is teaching him, and it isn’t going terribly well. I fear my son has no interest in learning, much like his dear papa.”
Arabella had been about to raise this and was delighted that Elinor had mentioned it first.
“Aunt Grace suggested that I ask you about this very thing. Henry is the exact opposite. He is so interested in learning that I fear he will grow too earnest.”
“Well, it would be good for Freddy to have a friend his own age, and a little competition in learning might help motivate him in lessons.”
“I wish Henry were a little less motivated.” Arabella laughed. “He is always following up on an idea or an interest,and he gets into no end of scrapes. Just yesterday, he caused a man to fall off his horse in the lane near the village.”
“Ah,” said Elinor, about to add that she knew the identity of the rider thrown from his horse when the rider appeared in the clearing.
Arabella continued talking and didn’t notice the arrival of the Duke of Montbury. She heard Elinor calling a friendly greeting to someone and turned to see a familiar figure rooted to the spot, staring at her in surprise. Their eyes locked in a gaze lasting several seconds, neither able to break the contact between them.
This is ridiculous, she thought, feeling her heart beating more quickly and her breathing becoming more shallow. I met this man once, and his words were very unpleasant. Why is he having this effect on me? I hope he doesn’t notice. I need to keep calm and look very serene.
Elinor went over to the man and tucked her arm in his. “Robert, you came to join us. I didn’t think you would.” She smiled up at him. “Let me introduce you to my friends.”
“Lady Arabella Farrington and Miss Emma Thraxton, may I introduce my brother the Duke of Montbury. I believe you know the Reverend Nathaniel Colbrooke.”
The duke bowed in recognition. “Lady Farrington and I have, in fact, already met, although we have not been introduced formally.”
“Erm. yes,” said Arabella. “We met yesterday in the woods.”
“So you’re the man who fell off his horse,” said Emma before stopping and putting her hand to her mouth.
The duke laughed, which made Arabella feel more at ease. “I do have that honour,” he admitted. “Falling off horses and rescuing spaniels is how dukes spend most of their days.”
“There’s a story here, brother,” said Elinor, laughing. “I shall wait to hear more. But I’m acutely aware that we promised these boys a walk along the lake. Freddy, Henry, time for that walk.”
Having introduced them, Elinor excused herself to find Freddy.
Arabella found herself with the man who had told her the previous day that she needed to take better care of her son.
They walked side by side, avoiding eye contact. The duke seemed a little stiff and awkward, but he maintained polite conversation as they followed the track around the lake.
“If you look over there, you can see the entrance to a cave high on the hill. I used to go there sometimes for the day when I was a boy.”
“I love the landscape here. It’s wild, and there are fewer trees the higher you climb. What are these tiny flowers just appearing?”
“It’s heather. You’re right; it’s close to flowering. Soon, the moors will be covered with a carpet of purple flowers.”
They passed close to a stream, gushing down into the lake. The duke knelt, cupping his hands to drink the cool, clear water. Henry crouched down to do the same.
“Mama, it tastes really good. You must take a drink.”
Sure enough, the water looked crystal clear, and she kneeled to take a drink.
“The source of the spring is not far away, and we are lucky to have such a clear and plentiful water supply,” added the Duke of Montbury.
