Page 46 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
He gently untangled the line, which was wrapped several times around her body. When he finished and she was free, he gazed down at her intently, holding her gaze for several seconds. He raised one eyebrow quizzically, and she felt her whole body alive with tingles of anticipation of his touch. When Arabella broke eye contact, she looked around, anxious that no one had seen that lingering gaze.
As she moved, she stumbled, and strong arms caught her, holding her close against his body to steady her. The scent ofsandalwood and his old leather jacket filled her senses as she clung to him for a second to make sure the dizziness had passed.
“Henry, get your mama a glass of lemonade,” said Robert. “I think she is feeling a little faint. It must be the hot weather.”
“We really must stop being so clumsy.” He laughed, steadying her on her feet. “We are always falling together, and if we are not careful, then people may start to gossip,” he said with a grin, but the expression in his blue eyes remained intense.
Arabella, Henry, Emma, and Dash waved goodbye to the Montbury family as they left in the trap, and Snowdrop trotted towards the village.
Arabella had noticed how the Reverend Colbrooke could not take his eyes off Emma.
I need to talk with Aunt Grace, she thought. He is a clergyman, but there is a need for more chaperonage when the two of them are alone together.
He had told Arabella how it had been Emma’s idea to distribute the leftover food to the needy in the village. “She is always thinking of others first,” he’d said without taking his eyes off Emma.
Arabella suggested that Henry and Dash run behind the trap so she could talk with Emma in confidence.
“Emma,” began Arabella, choosing her words carefully. “I believe the Reverend Colbrooke is in love with you.” She saw Emma’s cheeks blush pink. “Do you love him?”
“I don’t know. I think so. Yes, I believe I have feelings for him.” Emma’s face was thoughtful as she thought about the Reverend Nathaniel Colbrooke.
“It’s obvious to me that he is smitten with you and that you feel the same about him. You need to tell Aunt Grace.”
She slowed Snowdrop to a walk as they made their way to the vicarage door. “Has he made you an offer of marriage?” she asked gently.
“No, but he has said he enjoys my company and hopes I will always be in his life,” replied Emma.
“I believe he loves you and may soon ask for your hand in marriage. You need to think about whether you wish to marry or have your season in London. I think you may have to make a choice,” Arabella told Emma.
Emma looked surprised, but the dreamy expression on her face gave Arabella a clue to the decision she would make.
Chapter 17
His mother surprised them the next day with a spontaneous soiree. The dowager duchess declared that there was enough talent in their little house party to provide an evening of entertainment.
Instead of a formal dinner, his mother arranged a hot finger buffet in the music room. “I must be more modern,” his mother said to his and Elinor’s mutual surprise. “I enjoyed that open-air picnic yesterday with such an informal ambiance. So I asked Monsieur Charente to devise a similar menu but with hot food.
“He liked the idea. I was surprised, but it seems Queen Marie Antoinette liked this sort of event. Poor woman ... I still can’t believe that she lost her head to Madame Guillotine. Anyway, she has bequeathed us a hot picnic or finger buffet, as I’m calling it. If we like it, then I suggest we have one at the summer ball, instead of a fusty musty formal dinner that takes hours. We’ll have much more time for dancing.”
“Mama, you astound me,” said Elinor. “But I agree with everything you say. Fusty musty is an expression I shall begin to use myself immediately.”
“I’m also impressed,” said Robert. “Although in the middle of that speech, I did wonder if you would ever stop to draw breath,” he added, laughing.
“Dreadful boy,” she replied, laughing back and wrapping him on the knuckles with her fan.
“Ouch,” he cried. “Am I banished to dine with Nanny in the nursery? I suspect she is eating mutton and dumplings tonight.”
“I’ve invited the Thraxtons and the Reverend Colbrooke to join us,” his mother added. “I promised them an evening here, and all the county will be at the ball. It’s short notice, so they may not be able to attend.”
“That’s a lovely idea,” commented Elinor.
“There is an ulterior motive in my actions. I know Miss Emma Thraxton is a gifted soprano, and I’m told her cousin Lady Farrington is a harpist. I’ve asked for the harp in the music room to be tuned. You can probably hear it if you listen carefully.”
He’d felt a sudden restlessness at hearing Lady Arabella Farrington’s name, and he’d stood up and turned around the room before standing behind a velvet-covered chair, his hands gripping the back, staring into the fire.
“And the Reverend Colbrooke has a good strong baritone voice,” added Emma, and he saw her glancing curiously in his direction.
In a few hours, the owner of the sparkling jade eyes, who haunted his dreams, would be here in the castle, playing the harp to entertain his mother’s guests.
