Page 34 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
Emma helped the boys gather specimens of leaves so they could compare the different species in their lesson later that afternoon.
Dash walked beside Arabella and Robert at the rear of the group. “I’ll be glad when I can take my new dog out with me wherever I go,” Robert confided to Arabella. “He enjoys a long walk, but he would have been unable to wait patiently at the tavern while I had my meeting. It won’t be long. Mickle seems to be a fast learner.”
“Dash is a gentle dog. He’s always been Henry’s best friend, though I suspect Freddy may soon step into that role,” replied Arabella.
“He’s very well trained. I am so sorry I snapped at you that day in the forest. I rarely take a fall from my horse and my pride was hurt.”
“I think you have already apologized. It’s forgotten,” she said softly, appreciating his words.
Dash returned from retrieving a stick that Robert had thrown for him. The spaniel sat in front of them on the path, panting a little with his tongue lolling out of his mouth.
Arabella leaned forward to tickle his ears at exactly the same moment as Robert moved to do the same. His hand brushed against hers, and at that moment, she felt tingles down her spine.
Did his hand linger a moment longer than expected after they collided? She needed to steady herself but found herself lost for words again.
“I do apologize,” she heard the words echoing as if from a distance.
“No, no, it was my fault entirely,” she murmured. When she looked towards Robert, she thought she saw a questioning look in his eyes. She ignored his expression and decided the best plan was to continue chatting brightly to cover any embarrassment on both sides.
Robert continued to gaze at her as if he was searching for an answer in her eyes. “If Mr Perrault was writing this scene, then I suspect he would mention that the heroine’s eyes were reflections of all the colours of the forest. The day we first met, I was convinced they were jade, and then, earlier today, I wondered about emeralds, and now I see forest shades.”
Once more, Arabella felt herself rooted to the spot, unable to move or speak.
Whatever is happening to me?
She saw Robert glance up the woodland trail as the others had turned a corner and were out of sight. He bowed before her,never breaking his gaze into her eyes, and reached for her gloved hand.
A racing excitement pulsed through her body, and she told herself she was too old for this feeling. Those days were surely behind her now.
She didn’t pull away as he placed a gentle kiss on top of her hand.
As his lips brushed her gloved hand, she felt a trembling spread up her arm, spreading throughout her body. Her nerves felt alive and on fire, even though the silk had separated his lips from her skin. She drew in a breath, leaning into the moment and feeling that tingle of excitement deep within as she heard his voice.
“Forgive me,” he said, his voice sounding hoarse. “For a moment, it seemed as if we had stepped into a fairy tale. You certainly would make an enchanting heroine in one of Monsieur Perrault’s stories.”
“Well, I don’t plan on falling asleep in this forest and being La Belle au bois dormant,” she said as she gently withdrew her hand. “I suspect Dash is wondering why you haven’t thrown him another stick, and the others will begin to wonder where we are.”
Robert bent to find a stick and threw it to the waiting spaniel, who raced away.
As they continued their walk to the castle, along the lakeside, they heard squeals of delight and found Henry and Freddy showing Emma the wooden boat they planned to repair as a project.
The lake sparkled in the sunlight, and Arabella wondered if she had imagined the scene with Robert. He had returned to being the attentive duke, pointing out features of interest.
The wooden boat looked basically sound, though weatherworn, and both boys were excited about the prospect of sailing on the lake.
As soon as they arrived at Castle Montbury, the duke bade them farewell. “I must go and tell the ground staff about the appointment of Jason Brown as the new steward and land agent.”
He smiled at Emma and Arabella. “Sir Joseph was very generous in suggesting Mr Brown. I shall ask Mother to invite your family to join us for an evening at the castle to say thank you. And you, too, Reverend Colbrooke,” he added. “We have guests for a house party arriving today, and it will be good to look forward to at least one evening where I know there will be friends.”
He bowed and left them to make their way to the schoolroom.
“An evening at Castle Montbury. There might be dancing,” said Emma excitedly. “I hope you will dance with me,” she told the Reverend Colbrooke.
Arabella thought the reverend would likely happily dance with her cousin for the rest of his life. She was beginning to doubt that Emma would ever have a season in London, and she suspected there would be wedding bells in a few months’ time.
As they approached the schoolroom, they met Elinor, who had been looking for them. “I was hoping to find you,” she said. “I wanted to escape the furor in the house with all these guests arriving.”
“It sounds like a large party is arriving. You’re going to be busy,” said Arabella sympathetically, remembering her own days as a hostess.
