Page 30 of A Virgin for His Grace
The generous interpretation of Devon's behavior made Arabella's throat tighten with emotion. How could she explain to this sweet, innocent girl that her beloved brother had seduced his employee and then made it brutally clear that such intimacy could never lead to anything resembling a respectable future?
"You are very kind to make excuses for him," she managed. "Though I assure you, I am quite capable of managing whatever difficulties His Grace's temperament might present."
"I am certain you are," Livia replied with obvious admiration. "Indeed, I have never seen Devon so affected by anyone's presence. Usually, he maintains perfect control in all his interactions, yet with you he seems almost vulnerable."
The observation struck Arabella like a physical blow, and she found herself stopping abruptly in the middle of the corridor as the implications of Livia's words sank in.
"Vulnerable?" she repeated weakly.
"Oh yes," Livia continued with growing animation, apparently oblivious to her companion's distress. "He watchesyou constantly when he thinks no one is observing, and his entire demeanour changes whenever you enter a room. It is quite fascinating, really! I have never seen him respond to any woman with such obvious intensity."
The innocent revelation that Devon's feelings might extend beyond mere physical attraction sent Arabella's carefully constructed defenses crumbling with devastating speed. If Livia's observations were accurate, if he truly did harbor deeper emotions for her, then his rejection the previous night became even more painful to contemplate.
"Perhaps," she said with forced lightness, "His Grace simply finds my presence irritating. I am not, after all, the sort of accomplished lady he is accustomed to encountering in society."
"On the contrary," Livia said firmly. "I believe you are exactly the sort of lady he has been waiting for all his life, though he may be too stubborn or too frightened to admit it."
Before Arabella could respond to this extraordinary statement, they were interrupted by the arrival of Mrs. Henderson, who appeared with her usual composed efficiency despite the early hour.
"Begging your pardon, Miss Greystone, but there has been another delivery for you. The same gentleman as before, most insistent that the flowers be placed in your sitting room immediately."
Arabella's stomach clenched with dread as she contemplated another ostentatious display from Mr. Whitmore. The man's persistent pursuit despite her scandalouscircumstances was becoming increasingly difficult to discourage, particularly when she lacked the authority to refuse his offerings outright.
"More flowers?" Livia asked with obvious curiosity. "How romantic! From whom do they come?"
"Mr. James Whitmore," Arabella replied reluctantly. "A gentleman of my former acquaintance who has been kind enough to remember me despite my altered circumstances."
The diplomatic phrasing did not fool Livia, whose romantic imagination immediately seized upon the implications of such persistent attention.
"A suitor!" she exclaimed with obvious delight. "How wonderful, Arabella! Tell me, is he handsome? Well-established? Does he make your heart flutter with excitement?"
The enthusiastic questions made Arabella's chest tighten with uncomfortable emotion, particularly when she considered how different her reactions were to Devon's presence versus Mr. Whitmore's unwelcome attentions.
"He is a perfectly respectable gentleman," she said carefully. "Though I fear his interest may be somewhat misplaced. My current circumstances hardly make me an eligible candidate for matrimony."
"Nonsense," Livia declared with surprising firmness. "If he truly cares for you, such considerations would be irrelevant. Love conquers all obstacles, does it not?"
The naive romanticism of the statement made Arabella want to weep with the bitter knowledge of how rarely love actually conquered anything, least of all the social and economic realities that governed their world.
"Perhaps in novels," she said quietly. "But in reality, I fear that practical considerations often outweigh emotional attachments."
"What a terribly cynical outlook," Livia observed with obvious disappointment. "Surely you cannot believe that genuine feeling counts for nothing in matters of the heart?"
Before Arabella could formulate a response that would not completely destroy the young woman's romantic illusions, Mrs. Henderson cleared her throat discretely.
"Shall I have the flowers placed in your sitting room as usual, Miss Greystone?"
"Yes, thank you," Arabella replied with resignation. "Though perhaps... perhaps they might be better appreciated in one of the main reception rooms? I should hate for such expensive blooms to be wasted in my private chambers."
The subtle hint that she did not wish to be surrounded by reminders of Mr. Whitmore's pursuit was not lost on the astute housekeeper, who nodded with understanding.
"Of course, miss. I shall see that they are arranged in the morning room where their beauty might be properly appreciated by all the household."
As Mrs. Henderson departed to attend to the unwelcome floral tribute, Livia linked her arm through Arabella's with obvious excitement.
"You simply must tell me more about this mysterious Mr. Whitmore," she insisted as they made their way toward the garden doors. "I confess myself desperately curious about anyone bold enough to pursue you despite Devon's obvious territorial instincts."
"Territorial instincts?" Arabella repeated faintly.
