Page 37 of A Fake Courtship with the Marquess
Arabella wrested her hand free of her mother’s grip. “I am not distressed, Mama. It was a misunderstanding. Please, be calm. You are causing a commotion.”
“I will not be calm.” Her mother took her by the hand again. “Come now, we are leaving. As for you, Lord Haskett, if you were not the son of the Duke’s oldest friend, and if you were not already betrothed to my daughter, I would refuse such an arrangement. She deserves… She deserves…” Apparently unable to finish the sentence, she dragged Arabella away.
And though he had been scolded, and felt terrible for dancing with Lady Olivia, there appeared to be one silver lining that made him smile, despite his wet backside and his injured pride—Arabella had been excited to see him.
Chapter Seventeen
Seated in the drawing room at the Bowles Estate, resting her cup and saucer upon her lap in a way that would make her mother scream, it was an unusual afternoon for Arabella. For once, she had a visitor.
“You did not tell me you were betrothed, Arabella!” Olivia was sprawled on the settee opposite. “If I had known, I would never have agreed to dance with Lord Haskett. The wicked scoundrel never said a word. If I were you, I would go to your papa and ask to break the betrothal. Evidently, such a gentleman cannot be trusted.”
Arabella canted her head. “I wrote to you after I was informed of the match.”
“Yes, but I have been so very busy, Arabella,” Olivia shot back. “Now that Papa has a residence in London, I am rarely without entertainments and amusements. I have no time to readeveryletter that arrives.” She sat up straight, pointing a finger upward. “Ah, I know why I did not receive it. You must have sent it to the estate instead of the townhouse.”
Arabella had to laugh. In truth, Olivia was a distinctly fair-weather friend. Sometimes, Arabella was not even sure if theywerefriends, though Olivia insisted otherwise. Still, she was a nice distraction whenever she decided to call upon Arabella, and it was secretly pleasing to havesomeoneshe could call a friend.
“I sent it to the townhouse,” she replied. “I knew you would be there.” She humored her friend by calling it a townhouse, when it was merely modest apartments on the less affluent side of Mayfair.
Olivia shook her head. “Then, when you sent it, I must have been at the estate. We have missed one another like ships in the night, my Dear Arabella. Still, I know now, and I assure you, I will not repeat the mistake. You must have been awfully cross with me, dancing with Lord Haskett in such an… intimate manner?”
“I was not. Henry explained everything to me afterward.”
Olivia wrinkled her nose and tilted up her chin. “Henry? Goodness, you must be very dear to one another if you use his given name. Though, you cannot bethatdear to him if he would dance with someone else and embarrass you so. I did not enjoy a moment of it, I promise. The Viennese Waltz is thoroughly invigorating but, again, I did not enjoy a moment.”
Are you certain of that?
After listening to her friend twitter on, Arabella was beginning to think she did not like this woman at all. If she had not been polite to a fault, she would have cast Olivia out and slammed the door.
“Do you think you will marry him?” Olivia looked unnervingly hopeful. “I do not think you should. There are much kinder, sweeter, less wicked gentlemen in Society. You ought to find yourself a quiet sort of fellow who enjoys the country. I know Lord Haskett does not care for the country. He told me so as we were dancing. You are very ill-matched.”
Arabella snorted into her cup of tea, sending up milky droplets. “He told you so? When, pray tell, did he tell you that?”
“As we were dancing. Are you not listening?” Olivia huffed out an irritated breath. “I was regaling him with stories of my tedious youth at the manor, and he nodded in agreement. I do wonder if we are better suited. Do you not think?”
So, he did not tell you. He nodded… and likely had no idea what he was nodding for.
Surprising herself, Arabella set down her cup and saucer and fixed Olivia with a stern stare. “No, I do not think you are. Tell me, do you believe it is kind or well-meaning to try and steal your friend’s betrothed from under her nose? Do you think it friendly to make her relive an upsetting incident?”
“There is no need to be so uppity,” Olivia retorted, but she sounded a touch rattled. “I was only trying to help you, Arabella. Honestly, you have always been much too sensitive.Ido not want Lord Haskett for myself. What a foolish notion.”
Arabella smiled. “I think you are jealous.”
“Me? Of you?” Olivia barked a laugh. “That is rich. Truly, Arabella, I admire your sense of humor. Why would I be jealous of you? I have everything I desire. I want for nothing. I have a townhouse now—did I mention that?”
Arabella knew she could have dipped into a mean side she did not show very often, if at all. However, on the rare occasions where she did allow herself to be unkind, it left her with a sour taste in her mouth and a heavy feeling in her belly. No, it was always better to be the bigger person, even in situations where she really wanted to unleash her wrath.
“How nice for you.” She smiled sweetly. “I was only teasing, Dear Olivia. Of course you are not jealous. Quite right—why would you be?”
All of a sudden, Olivia jumped up and straightened the front of her jade green gown. “Goodness, how did the hour grow so late?” She hurried for the drawing room door. “It was a pleasure, Arabella. We must have tea again soon. Promise me we will?”
“You know where you may find me.” Arabella felt strangely triumphant as she watched Olivia dart out of the door like a spooked rabbit. Very slowly, and somewhat late in life, she was coming to realize that shecouldstand up for herself. Indeed, it was working out rather well, so far.
It gained me an explanation from Henry, and a free afternoon to read for as long as I desire.
Just then, there was a knock at the drawing room door. “Milady?”
“Come in,” she replied, relieved it was not Olivia, coming to get in one more word.
