‘Are you finally listening to my advice, to not care about what anyone thinks?’ Hannah said.
‘Yes, I am. Actually … I care what he thinks. That’s all that’s important to me.’
‘Good,’ Hannah said, taking her hand. ‘Good.’
That day Arabella left Bedfordshire House without her veil to teach her lessons. She did not miss it one bit.
~~*~~
The Christmas season in London was underway, with raucous celebrations in the streets, drinking, and singing carols. Arabella began a small painting of Ember to send to William in appreciation for believing in her virtue. She knew it was frowned upon to give a gift to a man, but her heart told her it was right. She didn't quite care anymore about scandal, even when she saw Lady Tabitha at different parties.
The Duke and Duchess of Danvers insisted that Arabella prepare Lady Anastasia and Lady Lily for performances since they were hosting a holiday party of their own this season. This kept Arabella busy, working mornings and evenings. She had scarcely any time to work on her present for William.
The Wolverhamptons announced their annual Christmas ball, and Arabella was the only one of the four friends not invited. Cat declined and invited Arabella for dinner at Thornton Manor that night instead. No Thorntons were going to the Wolverhamptons’ parties, at least not this season.
Feeling festive, Arabella used the day of the Wolverhamptons’ ball to help decorate Bedfordshire House. She helped Hannah prepare for the ball in full dress but put on her comfortable high-waisted blue wool winter dress for her visit to Thornton Manor that night. As the time to depart drew near, she was surprised to see a coach arrive outside.
‘That’s one of the Thorntons’ carriages!’ Arabella exclaimed when she descended the staircase to investigate.
‘Yes, Miss,’ the footman said. ‘They knew Lady Hannah was attending the Wolverhamptons’ ball and didn’t want you to have to charter a carriage.’ He helped Arabella into the coach and wrapped her in furs to keep her warm.
Arabella drew back the curtain as they travelled through the streets, so she could take in the scene as she passed. She loved the Christmas season. The people in the streets were entertaining and funny. She felt quite at home as the coach entered Thornton Manor’s long drive.
At the estate, it was William who personally came out and greeted her.
‘Lord William! My favourite of the triplet brothers!’ Arabella exclaimed as he opened the door of the coach and held out a gloved hand to her.
‘And Arabella, my favourite artist in all of England,’ William replied, bowing to her the moment she set her feet upon the ground. She curtsied back. He offered her his arm. ‘Let me escort you inside. Happy Christmas.’
‘Happy Christmas,’ she replied.
Inside the manor house, the footman took Arabella’s shawl and winter bonnet, and Cat and her mother-in-law emerged from the parlour to greet her.
‘Happy Christmas!’ Cat called, excited, although she looked a little pale and green. ‘I’m so pleased you’re not wearing that veil any longer!’
‘Aye, I am too,’ Arabella said. ‘Are you well?’
‘I’m fine,’ Cat said. ‘Henry and I have a big announcement.’
‘A big announcement? You’re not…’
‘Yes.’
‘Oh, Cat!’ Arabella exclaimed. ‘And Franny’s having a child too! This is wonderful news!’
‘I told her already,’ Cat admitted. ‘I knew a few weeks ago when I kept waking up sick. A midwife came by to check on me, and she could tell. I’ve already seen a physician, and he tells me I’m doing well.’
‘How long do you have to go?’
‘I’m only about two months along, the midwife says. I couldn’t be happier!’
‘I’m happy too,’ Arabella said.
‘I’m so pleased we’ll have a new generation at Thornton Manor starting soon,’ the Duchess said.
The air was filled with Christmas spirit as Cat led Arabella around the manor house to show her the decorations. This was by far the best Christmas Arabella could remember since her father’s death.
‘Dinner will be ready shortly,’ Cat said. ‘Why don’t we take a walk in the gardens? William, Henry, would you escort us?’
‘Of course,’ Henry said, ‘if it’s safe for you.’
‘It’ll be fine,’ Cat assured him. ‘Fresh air invigorates me.’
They all put on hats and coats, and Henry and William led Cat and Arabella towards the snow-dusted hedges. As Arabella and William walked, Cat and Henry fell a few steps behind.
‘Of course they’d let us walk ahead,’ Arabella remarked.
‘You know why you were asked over tonight, don’t you?’ William asked. ‘It should be obvious.’
‘Was it to court me? You should have told me.’
‘Of course it was. How strange, you coming to my home for courting instead of me calling on you.’
‘I received your letter,’ Arabella said. ‘I’m making something for you.’
‘What?’
‘A painting. A small one.’
‘Would you charge me for it?’
‘Charge you? It’s a gift!’ she laughed. She could jest with William. It was nice. She felt more comfortable being around men now. Or at least, being around him. And his family. Of course, they were his family, not hers. That thought made her sad for a moment.
‘I hope to complete it by Candlemas,’ she said.
‘I shall look forward to receiving it. Here, let me show you something.’ He escorted her down a path towards a little cabin on the property that Arabella had never seen before. The Thornton Manor property was enormous, she realised; there was much of it she hadn’t yet seen. ‘Arabella, I do care for you greatly,’ William said.
‘Are you asking to call on me?’ she asked. ‘I’m certain Andrew and Vivian would enjoy having you come by —’
‘I don’t care that you have a bruise on your reputation,’ he interrupted. ‘I know the truth about you, and I … I’m in love with you.’
‘William!’
‘No, please, let me finish. I never thought I’d fall in love, but I’ll give you everything you ask for and more. I’ll fulfil your heart’s every desire, and I hope this shall be a fitting start,’ he said, opening the door to the cabin.
Arabella peeked inside and saw a partially finished cabin. Holes were cut out for windows facing north.
‘Do you see? It will have windows in the rooftop and facing north for the best possible morning light, and here is where the hearth will be to keep you warm. And these shelves are for all of your art needs, and we'll have an easel and a drawing table if that suits you?'
Arabella couldn’t speak. Her vision blurred as well. She was overcome. She had never had anyone, aside from her parents, show love for her this extravagantly.
‘Did I set this up incorrectly? Arabella, I’m sorry, it’s not too late to make it right —’
Arabella shook her head. ‘This is wonderful! It’s perfect and — William…’
‘Yes, I’m asking for your hand in marriage.’
‘There are dreadful rumours about me —’
‘I don’t care!’
‘And my dowry’s not large enough —’
‘Again, I don’t care! Arabella, will you be my wife?’
Arabella turned to him and reached up to wipe the tears from her cheeks. She knew the answer. He didn't care what other people thought, and neither did she. He was expressing his love for her, and she had imagined a moment like this for so long.
‘Yes, William, I’ll be your wife!’ she said.
His face broke into a joyous smile, which triggered one of her own. He scooped her up in his arms and swung her around in front of the cabin that would be her art studio.
Chapter 10
Once Arabella agreed to marry William, they turned around to see Cat and Henry watching from a slight distance.
‘She said yes?’ Henry asked.
‘She did!’ Wi
lliam announced. Cat’s face broke into a smile.
‘Congratulations!' she exclaimed and rushed forward to hug Arabella. ‘We'll be sisters. Not just best friends! I can't wait for Frances and Hannah to know! And we must tell Mother Edith!'
‘Immediately,’ William agreed.
They trekked back to the manor house, slowed slightly by Cat’s condition and the fresh snow falling, and burst into the mudroom in a commotion, talking loudly. Someone was playing the pianoforte in the parlour but stopped abruptly.
‘What are you doing?’ Mother’s voice came from the parlour. ‘I was practicing a Christmas carol for all of you!’ Her firm footsteps clicked into the mudroom.
‘She said yes, Mother!’ William said.
Mother’s jaw dropped. ‘Arabella? You did?’
‘Yes,’ Arabella said, smiling. ‘He showed me the studio he’s building for me. How could I say no?’
‘Wonderful news, darling!’ she exclaimed and rushed to hug her. ‘My dear, we must celebrate! So that’s what William’s been working on in the cold for all of Advent!’
‘It’s going to be beautiful,’ Arabella said.
‘Let me play a carol for you in celebration!’ Mother said.
‘I would enjoy that,’ Arabella said.
In the parlour, a maid brought hot drinks and Mother began playing a cheery Christmas carol on the pianoforte. William couldn’t remember being happier in his life, knowing he was engaged to a beautiful girl who was also his dear friend, a kind and good-hearted girl who’d be his wife, together with him forever.
‘We must begin planning the wedding,’ Mother said as soon as she finished the carol. ‘Twelfth Night is popular for marriages!’
‘That doesn’t give us much time,’ Arabella said. ‘Andrew is in charge of my dowry. You’ll need to draft a settlement with him—'
The door to the foyer blew open. The winter storm had increased in wind and snow. The footmen ran forward to shut the door, but a man’s silhouette was outlined there in the lantern light from the foyer.
‘Bring him in!’ Mother shouted. ‘Bring the poor man in and get him some hot tea! Immediately! Take him to the kitchens!’
The brothers ran to the foyer to make sure the man wasn’t a vagrant. He was wearing a sailor’s pea coat and heavy travelling clothes, and he had a grizzly beard with some ice in its tendrils.
‘May I help you?’ Henry asked. ‘What are you doing on our grounds?’
‘I’m looking for a young woman —’
‘Sir, this is not the place to find a woman —’
‘That’s not what I meant, son!’ the man barked. His dark eyes flashed, and William thought there was something familiar about them. ‘I’m looking for Arabella Marie Chamblin. The footmen at Bedfordshire House told me she came here. I’m her father.’
~~*~~
Had Arabella heard correctly? Was this man claiming to be her father?
Papa had been presumed dead for years! The old Arabella, who was afraid of everything, would have swooned at the idea of his sudden return. But although standing made her feel lightheaded, she did anyway to go see this man.
Cat grabbed her arm. ‘Bella, he could be a madman off the streets —’
‘No, Cat, let me see him,’ Arabella said. Cat didn’t let go of her arm but walked with her to the foyer. ‘Papa?’
‘Is that… No, it can’t be!’ the man exclaimed. ‘My little Bella’s all grown up?’
William and Benjamin parted so Arabella could see the man's face, and beneath the wet salt-and-pepper beard it was indeed familiar. It was a face Arabella had sketched and dreamt about since the age of nine. ‘Papa?' She said, bursting into tears for the second time that night. She rushed forward into his arms, not caring that he was so cold. ‘All this time, Papa, I thought you were dead, lost at sea!'
‘Aye, my ship did sink on the way to the Americas,’ he said into her ear, squeezing her. Her father’s arms felt marvellous around her. She had missed him so much. ‘Oh, my Bella! It’s wonderful to see you again. I survived on a small dinghy, and it took me some time to get a new fortune built so I could come back to my old England. I lost everything in that shipwreck, but I built it all back up again.’
‘You did?’ she asked.
‘Aye, I did. I’d even bought shipwreck insurance, but I was never able to claim it until now.’
‘I missed you, Papa! But … I have something important to tell you… Here,’ Arabella said, taking William’s arm. ‘This is William Windham. He’s … he asked me to marry him.’
‘You asked for my daughter’s hand in marriage without asking me first?’ Papa exclaimed, setting his sights on William. ‘I don’t even know you!’
‘Sir,’ William said, trying to calm him. ‘All this time —’
‘Is it her dowry you seek?’
‘Sir, I’m a lord. I don’t need her dowry,’ William said. ‘She’s worth far more to me than that.’
‘Aye, she is. I can offer you twice that amount now,’ Papa said, a smile cracking his face from beneath his beard. ‘What’s your name again?’
‘Lord William Windham, sir.’
‘Well, Lord William Windham, I give you full permission to take my daughter’s hand in marriage!’
‘Thank you, sir!’ William said, feeling a sudden flash of inspiration. He turned to Arabella and dropped to one knee. She squealed with delight.
‘Dearest Arabella, I confess you have stolen my heart,’ he said. ‘When I reflect upon all the engaging qualities you are mistress of, the sincere language of my heart blossoms to tell you plainly that I love you. I have nothing without your goodness.’
He paused to gaze into her beautiful dark eyes.
‘I entreat you to forgive all blemishes I possess and know that I cannot possibly love you with more tender affection. I humbly request, with your father’s blessing, that you do me the honour of becoming my beloved wife.’
Arabella was overwhelmed. She realised she had everything she’d ever dreamt of — a loving and eloquent man, the safe return of her father, the promise of a comfortable home and a family of her own. And in the future lay even more joy, the beautiful studio where she could practise her art and share her talent with others.
‘My dear?’ William said, a bit uncertainly. ‘Arabella, will you have me?’
‘Oh!’ she said, coming back to herself and looking into his loving eyes. ‘Oh, my darling, yes, I will!’
About the Author ~ Eliza Dawkins
Eliza Dawkin’s love of reading and writing began as a young girl with her love of words. Picking up a book, and sitting on the living room couch, she asked her mother "What is a Holly Bibble?” (Holy Bible) and ever since, her love of reading and the written word has been part of her life.
Growing up in Kansas, she had wonderful high school teachers who helped her embrace the love of language, and the art of creative storytelling. Her heart warmly thanks Marjorie Bakalar (with her trendy letter g’s and j’s) and Horace Eubanks, who will also have a bow tie ‘round his neck and a gemstone in his ring, encouraging from the back of the classroom.
Eliza’s Books include:
~ The Earl’s Governess
~ The Earl’s Christmas Foundling Girl
~ The Earl’s Restless Love
~ The Earl’s Unhappy Wife
~ The Duke’s Scandalous Love
~ A Valentine’s Affair
~ The Lady’s Forbidden Love
~ The Accidental Duke’s Pledge
~ The Lord’s Portrait
All books are part of Eliza’s Regency Romance book series. She is currently working on her next book release in the series.
Eliza shares her home in Missouri with her husband, and she has five children, two grandbabies, and two dogs, Sammy and Biscuit. Her sons Ryan and Michael are their sweet angels, watching over Eliza and her family from Heaven above. All her family enjoys a love of reading. From her family to yours, enjoy.
Visit Eliza’s website at: elizadawkins.com<
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She adores hearing from her readers – contact her anytime! Email her at: [email protected]
Or keep in touch on Facebook at: Eliza Dawkins
If you liked Arabella’s love story, please add a review on amazon.com
The Lord’s Portrait
Copyright © 2018 by Eliza Dawkins
Kindle Edition
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic, mechanical or photographic means—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without prior written permission of the author. The Author reserves the right to make any changes necessary to maintain the integrity of the information held within.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it or borrow it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.
Excerpt ~ The Accidental Duke’s Pledge
(The Regency Brothers in Love Series Book 1)
~~*~~
Chapter 1
Catherine Byers woke to the shrill ring of the mechanised clock on the nightstand. For a moment she wasn’t sure where she was, but then she remembered: she and one of her best friends, Lady Frances Hawthorne, had both gone to sleep in Frances’ bedchamber the night before. Her friend was still asleep in the bed next to hers. Stirring slightly, Cat reached for the clock.
‘Franny, it’s time to wake up,’ she said gently. It wasn’t even light out yet, but the girls had a reason for waking early: they were going to see one of Frances’ beaux, Richard Windham, Duke of Thornton, fight a duel for her honour.
The Lord's Portrait (A Regency Romance) (The Regency Brothers in Love Book 2) Page 6