Page 37 of Her Heart's Rightful Earl
He looked back up into her eyes and her face appeared so conflicted; angry and hurt, yet sad and wanting.
“I should not even be here with you. You will maintain your distance,” she told him firmly.
“Quite right,” Alexander whispered, trying not to notice how her eyes sparkled in the moonlight as it filtered between the clouds.
Suddenly, a night bird called out from the trees, causing them both to startle and look up.
“I really must go now,” Arabella asserted. “When will we meet again to discuss how the investigation is developing?”
“Three nights from now. But we must meet later. The earlier we meet, the higher the risk of being seen. Can we meet at midnight?”
Arabella’s eyes darted back and forth, seeming frightened of venturing out at such a time, but she nodded.
“Of course.”
“Promise me you will take care. If criminal elements are involved, everyone connected to this investigation could be in danger.”
“I will look out for your mother and your brother,” Arabella agreed.
“And yourself. Mostly yourself,” Alexander prompted.
“And myself. Goodnight, Alexander.”
Without waiting for him to reply, she turned to walk back to the house.
He watched her go, willing her to stay safe.
Chapter 11
Arabella forced a smile as she looked across the table at Marcus. He slathered butter onto a thick piece of toast without looking at it, too intent he was on assessing all those present at the table with his keen eyes.
“Beautiful morning! I think I shall take a ride on Jasper!” Marcus announced loudly.
“Darling son, did you not sell Jasper?” Margaret asked woefully.
Marcus made a show of thinking; his eyes set to the top left corner coving of the high-ceilinged dining room and one finger dramatically placed to his lip.
“Why, Mother, I do believe you are correct!” He laughed and looked at Arabella, confirming. “Ididsell Jasper! Poor old boy! I shall grab another of the horses then. A horse is a horse, after all.”
“You ought to check with the stable hand which horse is fit to ride,” Margaret croaked as she lifted her teacup daintily to her mouth.
“Quite,” Charlotte contributed. “When Thomas was last here, he was set to ride Jasmine, but the stable hand told us she had gone lame.”
“No matter,” Marcus batted it away with a hand. “I shall ride Stirling.”
“That is Alexander’s horse!” Arabella protested impulsively. Margaret, Charlotte, and Marcus all looked suddenly to her in alarm. Margaret, with a look of panic that Arabella’s outburst might reveal their secret, Charlotte, with concern for her sister’s well-being, and Marcus, with a frown of suspicion.
“And how I wish my dear older brother could be here to ride him,” Marcus added mournfully. “But he cannot, tragically …” Marcus bowed his head in demonstrative grief.
But he knows!Arabella thought, seeing through his façade now that she also knew the truth of the situation.How he has feigned these past three years to ensure I remain fooled!
“Arabella …” Charlotte reached out to place her hand gently on top of her sister’s. “Marcus has ridden Stirling before, these past months, and this has not troubled you. Are you feeling quite well?”
Arabella composed herself.
“I am fine, thank you, Charlotte.” Arabella smiled reassuringly. “Of course, Stirling should be ridden. A fine stallion such as Alexander’s old horse needs the exercise, and it would be a shame not to utilize his health and strength while he is still in his prime.”
“Past his prime, I would say,” Marcus added. “But I believe my brother would want me to ride him, God rest his soul.”
