Page 54 of A Night of Passion with the Duke

“It’s settled then.” Harriet signaled to a parlor maid. “Rosa, do be a dear and ask Cook to prepare the basket I informed her about this morning.”

The maid curtsied and went on her errand.

“A picnic?” Arabella asked.

“Yes, a picnic.” Her mother-in-law nodded, rising from her seat. “Did you bring a riding habit, darling?”

“Yes, I did,” Arabella answered, rising from her seat as the matter had been settled. “I’ll go change now.”

“Do take a shawl with you, dearest,” Harriet added, patting her cheek softly. “It gets chilly outside.”

Arabella smiled at the concern in the older woman’s voice and was grateful she’d come to find a mother in her. Tears threatened to fall as she remembered her own mother, but she blinked them back, not wanting anyone to worry.

Joana followed behind her, offering to help her style her hair, but she declined.

“Surely you’d prefer to do something other than play lady’s maid for me.” Arabella smiled at her.

Their friendship was something she’d been grateful for, as she hadn’t had a friend close to her age since the scandal with the Duke of Green.

“I want to do this.” Joana smiled. “You have such pretty hair.”

They quickened their steps and had Arabella dressed in record time. She’d donned a forest green habit she rarely wore, since she’d spent most of her time around her family home or in it to escape the watchful eyes of the crowd. Joana styled her hair in a pretty chignon she didn’t think she’d ever be able to accomplish, with Matilda adding a small hat for a fanciful finish.

“Don’t you think this is too much?” Arabella asked, touching the hat.

“Not at all, Your Grace.” Her lady’s maid smiled. “His Grace won’t be able to keep his eyes or his hands off you.”

A hot blush crawled up Arabella’s neck and cheeks at the woman’s words. If anyone knew that they were yet to consummate their marriage, hell would be raised.

Arabella couldn’t help but laugh at the irony that it was her request for a night of passion that got them into this situation, and now that they were married, they were yet to experience any of the passion.

“Stop teasing her, Matilda.” Joana laughed. “Come, Your Grace, you’ll be late.”

“I’m coming.”

They walked together in companionable silence, but when Arabella turned to look at Joana, she noticed that the woman wanted to say something.

“Do you really want to stay married to His Grace?”

Arabella turned to her with a frown. “What do you mean?”

“If he makes you so unhappy, wouldn’t you want to leave him?” Joana asked.

“Yes, but…” Arabella paused. “I don’t know.”

“I’m just saying. If he loves you, he would do everything he could to make you happy.”

“I’m sure he just has some things on his mind,” Arabella told her. “He is a nice man.”

“Just be careful.” Joana smiled. “I’d hate to see you unhappy.”

“Thank you.” Arabella smiled back. “You’re a real friend.”

They skipped down the steps, and she collided with Edward’s chest when he appeared out of nowhere at the bottom of the stairs.

“Thank you for escorting her, Joana.” He smiled at his ward.

“It was my pleasure, Your Grace.”

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