Page 27 of A Fake Courtship with the Marquess
When you are naught but a rogue, like your father before you.
The sudden interruption of footsteps made Henry realize that Lord Powell was coming this way. Not wanting to indulge in another nasty tête-à-tête with the fellow, Henry’s head whipped this way and that, searching for a place to hide.
Mere moments before Lord Powell exited the ornamental gardens, Henry threw himself behind a potted topiary, shaped somewhat like a snowman. It was just wide enough to conceal him, as long as Lord Powell did not glance back once he had reached the Oriental bridge.
Fortunately, the man did not, and soon disappeared around the side of the house.
Henry breathed a low sigh of relief, though it was painfully short-lived.
“Lord Haskett?” came a curious voice.
Slowly, Henry looked up to find Arabella peering around the entrance to the gardens. The maid was at her side, covering her mouth to hide an amused smirk.
“Mmm, yes, good morning to you, Lady Arabella. What delightful topiaries your mother and father have implemented. I was just taking a closer look to decipher the plant,” Henry fibbed through his teeth. For the first time that day, he was thankful of the heat, for it would hide the embarrassment that rushed into his cheeks.
Arabella arched an eyebrow. “Have you managed?”
“I do believe it is… um… boxwood.” He smiled tightly and stood up, dusting off his knees. “Apologies for the intrusion, Lady Arabella. The gardener said I would find you out here.”
Arabella chuckled softly. “Will you come into the gardens, or do you want to take stock of all our shrubbery? There is a topiary by the kitchens, shaped like a horse, that will be sure to thrill you. At least, they tell me it is a horse, though I cannot see the resemblance.”
Her gentle, humorous demeanor was almost more disarming than her beauty, for he had fully anticipated a frosty reception.
Even though I was just trying to protect you…
“Certainly, Lady Arabella,” he replied, moving forward to offer his arm.
She took it and ushered him into the ornamental gardens, while the maid walked behind at a discreet distance. When he turned back to look at her, she flashed him a conspiratorial wink, as if to say,“I tried to cover for you. Why on Earth did you hide behind a shrub?”
“I am sorry—” the pair said at exactly the same moment, both turning to stare at one another.
“Apologies.” Henry allowed himself to smile. “I interrupted.”
Arabella laughed, her gait bringing her closer to his side every time she moved. “I was going to apologize for my behavior the other night. I let my emotions get the better of me.” She paused. “You did not deserve that outburst. I understand why you said what you did, and with contemplation, I have become thankful to you.”
“You have?” Henry could not take his eyes off her side profile, nor the way her entire face lit up when she smiled.
She nodded. “I was being naïve and you were being protective. Of course, Lord Powell’s intentions should have been my first consideration, but I was too… engaged by his charm and his exceedingly handsome figure.” She chuckled girlishly, charming Henry more than she could know. “Fortunately, as he also came here to offer an apology, fearing he was responsible for my departure, I have been granted greater insight into his character.”
“You have?” Henry repeated, his throat growing dry.
She smiled up at him. “He is more than I thought he was. He is resourceful and determined and principled. Indeed, he desires to be more than his station, but on his own terms. This morning, when the matter came up, he assured me that he does not care for my fortune. In fact, he was horrified that I could think such a thing.”
I am sure he was.Henry bit his tongue, conscious that a harsh word against Lord Powell might disturb the peace of the walk.
“He was more astonished that I would even entertain his company, being a Baron,” Arabella went on. “He did not make a proposal of any kind but alluded to the idea that he would not even ask for a dowry from his future bride. He says he does not believe in the practice, for it make a marriage seem too much like a business transaction or a sale of goods. Instead, he would rather she knew that all the wealth, affection, and care she might need would be provided by him.”
Henry fought the urge to roll his eyes. “How progressive of him,” he said, hoping the sarcasm was not too obvious. “I did not realize he had amassed such a fortune, to be able to make such bold statements.”
“Oh, I did not ask about that. It seemed impolite. Yet, he told of me of several business ventures that are proving lucrative.” She sighed contentedly.
It took every ounce of Henry’s willpower not to pause her on the path and try to force some sense into her. Seth had mentioned that she was an avid lover of romantic novels, and the fantasy of such stories seemed to run deep. Indeed, Henry wondered if it might have poisoned Arabella, preventing her from seeing anything but the illusion of a person that she had conjured in her mind.
He stopped in front of the same bench where the maid had been perched and sat down. “I could look into those business ventures, if you like?” he offered, patting the worn wood so she would join him. “It is prudent to know these things, though I promise I will be discreet. He will never know. Besides, if this is true, your mother and father will surely be overjoyed by the match.”
He would not have offered if he thought there was a single speck of honesty in the web of lies that Lord Powell had clearly been spinning for Arabella.
“Would you?” She clasped her hands together. “That would be marvelous!”
