by Anne Herries
‘Ralph, come into the study with me,’ Lady Tate said. ‘I wish to speak to you alone.’ After one brief, rather nervous glance at Charles, Ralph followed her, looking slightly sick.
Arabella looked at Charles as she took off her bonnet and gloves. ‘Please come into the parlour, sir. We may speak in private there.’
‘You have brought him here—why?’ Charles demanded once they were alone.
‘My aunt wished to visit her son and naturally I went with her. We were well protected. I have business with my cousin and thought it best to bring him back here.’
‘Why did you not tell me what you planned? I could have gone in your stead. We do not know for sure that Sir Courtney has left the district.’ Charles said when he had listened to her story.
Arabella had removed her bonnet and pelisse. Turning to him with a smile, she said, ‘I was well protected, and I do not care to be a prisoner in my own home.’ She took out the small pistol she carried and showed him. ‘I had this with me. It is ready to fire and I would do so if need be.’
A wry smile touched his mouth. ‘You are courageous, Arabella, if a little reckless. You will face the future whatever comes, I think.’
‘Yes,’ she replied ‘I have told Ralph that on receipt of his signed statement naming Sir Courtney and accusing him of attempted murder and the plot to kidnap me, I shall give him a draft on my bank, which will be paid in the country of his choice. He prefers to go to America rather than the West Indies. I agreed and he is prepared to be escorted to the ship.’
‘It was my intention to have him brought here under escort when he attempted to leave the inn this morning,’ Charles said. ‘My men were waiting for him, but you have done the thing yourself, Arabella. He has narrowly escaped death and that must have its effect. I believe your cousin will cause you no more trouble—but there is still Sir Courtney Welch. This statement from your cousin and the testimony of Mr Henderson should be enough to have Welch arrested, but we have to discover his whereabouts first. I do not think you are truly safe at this moment. And I think I should speak to your cousin quite soon.’
‘Yes, of course. I know I must be careful. Oh, do not go yet, I pray you,’ she said, as he seemed about to leave. ‘I have something I wish to say to you.’ She lifted her head, a proud look in her eyes. ‘You say that I shall not be safe until Sir Courtney has been caught and punished—but I do not think I shall be safe even then, Charles. I am in the fortunate position of being very wealthy—but unhappily there are men who covet that fortune. Until I have a husband to protect me I shall be at the mercy of fortune hunters.’
‘If you were to make a will…’
‘I do not think that will serve,’ she said, ‘for wills and even trusts can be overturned. I must be married, Charles.’ She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. ‘And I am hoping that you will do me the great favour of becoming my husband.’
‘Arabella?’ Charles was momentarily stunned, for he had not expected it. No other lady of his acquaintance would dare to make such a proposal. ‘You know that I admire you, care for you…’
‘I believe that we like each other well enough,’ Arabella said in a calm, flat tone. ‘And perhaps there is a physical attraction between us that would make a true marriage possible. I should like children, but I am not a demanding woman—I should not be a clinging wife, I promise you.’
‘Arabella…’ Charles was torn between wanting to sweep her into his arms and confess his love, and the doubts that haunted him. How could he make her happy when he was possessed by guilt? ‘You know that I have sworn to devote myself to making Sarah happy…’
‘I do not see that your intention to give Sarah anything she desires need necessarily prevent a marriage between us.’ Arabella raised her head proudly. ‘I should not expect you to live in my pocket, Charles. Obviously, this is not a love match on either side, but we are friends and many marriages are built on less. Once we were married, I should no longer be in danger and we should both be free to carry on our own lives.’
‘A marriage of convenience?’ Charles stared at her uncertainly. ‘Are you sure that is what you want, Arabella?’
She crossed her fingers behind her back. It was not in the least what she wanted. She wanted him to love her, to spend all his nights in her bed, and most of his days with her, but she would take what she could for now and hope that he would come to love her one day.
‘It would be a true marriage in that I should hope for children,’ Arabella said carefully. ‘But if you wished to live elsewhere I should look forward to your visits, when you could spare the time.’
‘That is hardly a good bargain for you, Arabella.’
‘I should be only too happy to chaperon Sarah sometimes if she wished for it,’ Arabella said. ‘You know that I love her as dearly as if she were my own sister.’
‘When we first met, you told me that you had no wish to marry.’ His eyes were intent on her face.
‘Perhaps I should not had this unfortunate affair not happened,’ Arabella lied. She had fallen in love with him almost from the first, but she could not admit it—would not admit it until she was sure of his feelings for her. ‘It is a business arrangement, Charles. You will have the charge of my estates and I am told that they amount to more than half a million pounds.’
‘That is a great deal of money,’ Charles said, an odd look in his eyes. ‘If I agreed to your proposal, I should insist that most of the capital be invested in a trust for your children. I shall make a settlement on you from my own funds and we shall use that part of the income necessary for the upkeep of the estate. My estate is not worth the half of yours, Arabella, perhaps no more than a quarter—but I have sufficient income for our needs. I should not wish to benefit financially from this arrangement.’
‘Are you saying that you will marry me?’ Arabella held her breath. She had hardly dared to believe that her bold move would secure his agreement.
‘I have been thinking about your situation for some time,’ Charles said, his expression serious and unsmiling. ‘It seems to me that you must marry. If you are content with the arrangement we have discussed, then I shall be happy to wed you, Arabella.’
‘Thank you…’ She blinked back the tears that stung behind her eyes. It was her true wish to be his wife, but she was not sure that she had done the right thing in asking him. It was going to be very hard to keep up this reserved manner, especially once they were wed. But she had made her bed, as Nana would have told her, and she must lie on it, even if she shed private tears.
Charles moved towards her, a smile on his lips. ‘You know that I have a deep and true regard for you, Arabella. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’
‘Yes. Yes, I shall, thank you,’ Arabella said. She forced herself to smile. ‘It is very good of you to ask me. You need not fear that I shall be a complaining wife, Charles.’
‘I do not think it,’ he said. ‘We shall divide our time between our estates and the London house, unless Sarah wishes to travel abroad—and now I think I should kiss you.’
Arabella nodded, standing quite still as he moved closer. He leaned forward, his lips soft and sweet on hers. She felt a hot, liquid flame flare within her, leaping through her whole body as she swayed towards him, wanting to feel herself pressed hard against his body.
‘We shall do very nicely together,’ Charles said and there was a little smile on his lips now. ‘I have been talking to Mama and Sarah, Arabella. Mama was saying that perhaps we should go home now that Sarah has recovered her memory, but I shall suggest that we all stay here a little longer. You were planning a trip into York. I think you might purchase a gown for the wedding while you are there. I shall see my lawyers and have the marriage contracts drawn up, and I shall ask your local vicar to call the banns for the first time this Sunday. We can be married in three weeks, and then we shall all go to my estate. After that we shall see. It might be that we wish to take a trip abroad and that Mama and Sarah may wish to accompany us.’
‘I think that is a very good plan,’ Arabella said. ‘I shall ask Sarah if she would still like to visit York with me; if she is happy to do so, we may go tomorrow. I shall also visit my lawyers and make all the necessary arrangements.’
Charles nodded at her, his brows raised. ‘Shall I tell Mama and Sarah the news—and you may wish to tell your aunt?’
‘Yes, of course,’ Arabella agreed. ‘And now I must go to the study and inquire if my cousin has finished writing his statement.’
‘Oh, I think you may leave that to me,’ Charles said. ‘Now that we are engaged, it will be my pleasure to deal with Sir Ralph…’
Arabella saw the determination in his eyes and smiled inwardly. ‘Yes, Charles. I shall be very glad to leave that affair in your hands. It will be much more comfortable having a husband to take care of such things.’
She walked from the room, her back straight, head held high. For the moment she had managed to hide her true feelings from Charles. She thought that it would not take him long to discover them once they were married. She must hope that he would not be angry at her subterfuge. She had made a bargain with him and she meant to keep it. Charles would give her his protection and she would give him his freedom in return. It was not to be a love match and she must make no demands on him.
‘Oh, Arabella, that is wonderful news,’ Lady Tate said when she was told of the understanding between her niece and Charles Hunter. ‘I am so happy for you, dearest. Charles may be a little intense at times, but he is a man you can trust—and you know that I have been anxious for your sake. I could not like the idea of you living alone for the rest of your life, my dear.’
‘Yes, I know,’ Arabella said and smiled at her. ‘For ages I believed that I could not bear to put anyone in Ben’s place. We had such a short time together, but it was wonderful and I thought it was enough to last me for a lifetime. However, this business with Sir Courtney has made me realise that I must marry.’
‘You will certainly be safe from fortune hunters,’ Lady Tate said. ‘But you should not marry for such a reason, Arabella. I hope that you have thought this through, my dear?’
‘Yes, I have,’ Arabella told her. ‘It is not a love match, but we are good friends and we have respect and liking for one another.’
Lady Tate looked at her uncertainly, as if she wished to say more on the subject. However, Tilda came into the room at that moment and she burst into warm congratulations.
‘Sarah has just told me the news, Arabella,’ she said. ‘I am delighted for you. I have always thought that you should marry again.’
‘It does not mean that you must leave here,’ Arabella said. ‘Charles and I will not live in each other’s pockets. There will always be a home for you here, even if I am not always resident myself.’
‘You are always so kind and generous,’ Tilda said. ‘However, I must tell you that it is my intention to travel for a while. I have always wanted to go to Italy, Arabella, and now that I have the means I shall do so—though if you needed me, I should come to you at once.’
‘Tilda!’ Arabella laughed, her face alight with pleasure. ‘I think that is wonderful—but are you certain you wish to travel abroad? You have never cared much for travelling.’
‘It is true that I am an indifferent traveller,’ Tilda said and smiled. ‘But one must put up with much if one wishes to see the world. Years ago I made so many plans, but time passed and I was unable to do the things I had wanted to do as a young girl. However, when I was tied up and left alone in that cottage, I realised that I still have years left to me—and that I wanted to make the most of them.’
‘That is so brave of you,’ Lady Tate said. ‘I have sometimes thought that I should like to travel somewhere warm, but I should not have the courage to go alone…’ She looked thoughtful, but before she could continue Mrs Bristol came in to announce a visitor.
‘Captain Hernshaw has called to see you, my lady,’ she said. ‘He is waiting in the downstairs parlour.’
‘Please ask him to come up,’ Arabella said. She turned to her aunt and Tilda. ‘This is a surprise. I do hope that he has not brought bad news. Melinda was in good health when I last saw her.’
‘He has certainly come out of his way to call on you,’ Lady Tate said. ‘I hope Lady Hernshaw is not ill.’
‘Excuse me,’ Tilda said. ‘Sarah asked if I would walk with her in the garden. I said I would ask you if it was safe to do so now.’
‘Yes, as long as you stay close to the house,’ Arabella said. ‘I believe the grounds are still being patrolled day and night. Tell Sarah that I shall see her when you return.’
Tilda nodded and went out, stopping to pass a few words with Captain Hernshaw as he entered.
‘Lady Arabella…Lady Tate,’ Captain Hernshaw said, inclining his head to both ladies. ‘I hope you will forgive this intrusion…’
‘It is no intrusion,’ Arabella said and went to greet him, offering her hand. He kissed it, holding it perhaps a moment longer than necessary. ‘Pray tell me at once, is Melinda well?’
‘Yes, very well when I left her,’ Captain Hernshaw said. ‘It was on her behalf that I came. She has been concerned since you left town in a hurry and she asked me to call on you as I came this way, to discover if all is well with you?’
‘I am very well,’ Arabella said. She did not think it right or proper to burden her friends with the story of the abduction attempt.
‘And she has asked if you will join her at her home.’
‘I am not sure that I shall be able to get away,’ Arabella said. ‘But I shall write to Melinda and tell her my news. Perhaps you would care to stay for nuncheon, which will be served very soon? My letter may go from the receiving office, unless you intend to see Melinda on your return.’
‘Thank you, I shall stay and you may give me your letter,’ he said and glanced at Lady Tate. ‘I wonder if I might have a few minutes in private with you, Lady Arabella?’
‘Yes, of course. I was about to go and find Mrs Hunter,’ Lady Tate said, getting to her feet. ‘I am glad to hear that Lady Hernshaw is well, sir.’
She left the room, closing the door softly behind her. Arabella was a little puzzled, and then she saw that Captain Hernshaw was nervous and intuition told her what he was about to say. She walked away from him, standing by the window to glance out at the gardens. Sarah and Tilda were walking arm in arm, apparently enjoying each other’s company.
‘I shall write to Melinda of my news,’ Arabella said as she sensed him close behind her. ‘But there is no reason why I should not tell you, sir. Mr Hunter has asked me to marry him and I have agreed. We are to be married quite soon.’
‘Ah, I see…’ Captain Hernshaw expelled a low breath. ‘I have left it too late. There is nothing for me now but to wish you all the happiness in the world.’
Arabella turned to face him, lifting her gaze to his face. She saw strong regret and a flicker of pain in his eyes, and realised that his feelings for her had been deeper than she’d guessed. Always charming, a light-hearted, teasing man, she had mistaken his gallantry for merely that and perhaps misjudged him.
‘Forgive me,’ she said and reached out to touch his hand. ‘We have been good friends, I think. And I would not grieve you for the world, sir.’
‘Arabella…’ He took her hand and held it tightly. ‘I must tell you that I love you. I did not think you were ready to marry again or I should have spoken when you were in town. You left so suddenly…but it is too late…’
‘Yes. I am sorry…’
She might have said more for she had always liked him, but at that moment the door opened and Charles entered. Captain Hernshaw let go of her hand and moved away at once.
‘My apologies,’ Charles said and frowned. ‘I did not know that you had company, Arabella.’
‘Captain Hernshaw came to bring me a message from Melinda,’ Arabella said in a calm voice that belied the frantic beating of her heart. ‘She has asked me to stay with her at her hom
e for a while, but I have been telling Captain Hernshaw our news, Charles. I shall write and invite Melinda and Sir Harry to our wedding instead.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Charles said and came forward, offering his hand to Hernshaw. ‘Good to see you, sir. I do hope that you will come and wish us happy. The wedding is to be in three weeks. I have not yet settled the date, but it will not be much longer.’
‘Thank you,’ Captain Hernshaw replied and took his hand. ‘It depends on my circumstances, for I may be going overseas on a diplomatic mission—but I wish you both happiness.’
A gong sounded in the hall below, summoning them to nuncheon. Arabella was glad of the interruption—she sensed that Charles had seen that moment of intimacy between her and Captain Hernshaw, and that perhaps he had misunderstood it.
‘Shall we go down, gentlemen?’ she said, looking from one to the other. She could sense the atmosphere between them and wished that she had not given way to a moment of sentiment. There was no question of her regretting the bargain she had made. She liked Captain Hernshaw, but would never have married him. ‘We must not keep the others waiting.’
She led the way from the room, aware that the gentlemen were making polite conversation as they followed. She had thought them friendly in London, but at the moment they might have been perfect strangers.
John Elworthy had come down to join them for the midday meal. He was holding his left arm a little stiffly but otherwise made nothing of the injury he had received. He smiled at Arabella and congratulated her.
‘Charles tells me that there is good news at last,’ he said. ‘I am very glad to hear it, Lady Arabella. Charles is very lucky and I have told him so.’
‘I am aware of my good fortune,’ Charles said and his expression could only be described as grim. ‘I trust you are well enough to be up and about so soon?’