Page 36 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
An image entered Arabella’s mind of a young bridegroom, in love and looking forward to marriage, being humiliated by his bride and losing his brother in the process. She’d never once had second thoughts in the weeks leading up to her wedding to Edward.
I remember how the joy, the excitement, had filled every day. Edward would have been devastated if I’d changedmy mind. I suspect something inside him would have died; certainly, it would have changed after such a blow. Her heart filled with compassion for the duke.
“And she is part of the house party?”
“It seems so. My mother always liked Rosalind Seymour, now the Duchess of Wyndale. It is going to be difficult for Robert.”
“At least you have this beautiful garden hideaway to escape to,” commented Arabella.
“There is no way the guests will find it. I can be private here,” agreed Elinor.
Elinor was clearly worried she might have shared too much of their family secrets, so Arabella changed the subject. “Tell me about the events your mother has planned. You mentioned a summer ball?”
“That’s the highlight of the Castle Montbury summer season. And it’s a good idea. Robert and I suggested to Mother that she bring her house party closer to the village fair. It’s strange, as mother always thought she was helping the village by having a group of guests visit at this time. But the village saw it as Mother being aloof and not joining in their summer fair. This year, we’ve persuaded Mother to combine her ball with the summer fair.”
“It’s a good idea. It should bring together the castle and the community,” said Arabella.
“I hope so. It also means that Freddy can be part of the summer fair without sneaking off to it, as we always did as children. This year, the Montbury stables are going to put on pony and trap rides.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” enthused Arabella. “Henry will enjoy that.”
“I rather hoped that Henry might join Freddy and help with the pony and trap rides,” suggested Elinor.
“I know he’ll love to do that,” agreed Arabella.
“And we will also have a musical soiree and other events. I hope you and the Thraxton family will join us here as often as possible,” entreated Elinor.
“I’m sure Aunt Grace and Uncle Joseph will be delighted to accept any invitations.”
“I wonder, and I’ll understand if you say no, but would you and Emma help me with planning the summer ball? I married the colonel at quite a young age, and I have little experience in planning such an event. I suspect you have farmore experience than I do at organizing a ball,” Elinor asked her.
Arabella thought back to all the balls she had planned at Farrington Hall. She enjoyed seeing the hard work and planning coming together on the evening of the ball.
“I’d be delighted,” she assured Elinor. “I’m sure you have far more experience than you realize. I suspect organizing small boys is as taxing as planning a ball. If you have an experienced house staff at Castle Montbury, then planning should be easy.
“We are lucky. There is Mr Chalston, the butler, who is very efficient. He used to be batman to my husband, the colonel, before he became too old for army service. We also have Mrs Slater, the housekeeper, who keeps the household running smoothly.”
“Let’s think about the sort of ball you are imagining and how we can make it happen,” said Arabella.
“Then you’ll really help me?” asked Elinor with amazement.
“Of course,” said Arabella, finding she was quite excited by the prospect of organizing a ball. It would mean she sometimes saw the Duke of Montbury, and she was still trying to work out her mixed feelings towards Robert.
***
I can’t imagine the day when I will no longer read Henry a story at bedtime. It is my favourite part of the day.
Henry loved the adventure books, and his favourite was Barnaby the Buccaneer.
“Are you still angry with Lord Robert, Mama? I think he is sorry for being cross when he fell off his horse,” Henry asked, surprising her that he noticed these things.
“No, I’m not angry with him. He said he was sorry, and I’ve forgiven him,” Arabella reassured Henry.
“I’m glad, Mama. I like Lord Robert. I hope we see more of him, and he says he’ll help us to renovate the boat,” Henry told her.
“Then I’m sure he will,” said Arabella.
As she watched the candle flicker, she worried that Henry might get too attached to the duke. It could be devastating to the child if he lost another father figure. He had Sir Joseph, the Reverend Colbrooke, and now the Duke of Montbury to guide him.
