Page 24 of A Virgin for His Grace
"Impossible," Devon said firmly, his voice warm with sibling devotion. "You could never disgrace anyone, dearest. You are far too lovely and accomplished for that."
As the three of them made their way through Lady Worthington's elegant drawing room, Arabella was acutely aware of the attention they attracted—herself as the notorious companion, Devon as London's most eligible bachelor, and Livia as the mysterious sister making her first tentative steps into society.
The combination proved irresistible to the assembled gossips, and they found themselves the center of numerous conversations that ranged from idle curiosity to outrightspeculation about the nature of the relationships between the three of them.
"Miss Greystone appears quite... comfortable in her new position," she heard Lady Huxley murmur to her companion as they passed. "One might almost think she considers herself part of the family rather than merely a paid companion."
The malicious observation stung more than it should have, reminding Arabella forcibly of her precarious position in Devon's household. She was indeed merely an employee, dependent upon his continued goodwill for her very subsistence, regardless of whatever personal feelings might exist between them.
Devon must have overheard the comment as well, for his jaw tightened with barely suppressed anger and his hand moved as though he intended to place it protectively at the small of her back. Only Arabella's warning glance prevented him from making such a public display of whatever it was he felt for her.
"Pay them no mind," Livia whispered with surprising vehemence. "Lady Huxley is jealous because her own daughter has never attracted half the attention you command even in disgrace."
The loyal defense from someone she had known less than a week made Arabella's throat tighten with emotion, yet she forced herself to maintain her composure as they continued their progress through the increasingly crowded room.
Lady Worthington proved to be an excellent hostess, making a point of introducing Livia to several young ladies of impeccablebreeding and gentle disposition. Within minutes, Arabella's charge was engaged in animated conversation about music and literature, her natural intelligence and sweetness quickly winning over her new acquaintances.
"She is doing beautifully," Arabella observed quietly to Devon as they watched from a discrete distance. "All her fears were groundless; she has far too much natural charm to fail in society."
"Thanks to your guidance," Devon replied, his voice carrying a warmth that made her pulse quicken. "I have never seen her so confident, so willing to engage with strangers. You have worked a miracle in less than a week."
The sincere gratitude in his tone made Arabella's chest tighten with complex emotions she preferred not to examine too closely. "She needed only encouragement to recognise her own worth. The transformation was already within her."
"Was it?" Devon's gaze moved from his sister to Arabella's face, studying her with that penetrating intensity that never failed to make her feel uncomfortably exposed. "I wonder if the same might be said of her companion. Perhaps what appears to be ruin is actually liberation."
The cryptic comment hung in the air between them, heavy with implication, yet before Arabella could ask what he meant, they were approached by Lord Stanton, a distinguished gentleman in his fifties whose political connections made him one of the most influential men in London.
"Your Grace," he said with genuine warmth, extending hishand in greeting. "Delighted to see you in society once more. I trust you have recovered from your recent indisposition?"
The oblique reference to Devon's reputation brought a slight flush to his aristocratic features, though he accepted the greeting with apparent good humor.
"Completely, my lord. Indeed, I find that domestic responsibilities have proven far more rewarding than I had anticipated."
Lord Stanton's shrewd eyes moved to Arabella with obvious curiosity. "Indeed? And this must be the young lady I have heard so much about. Miss Greystone, is it not?"
"Yes, my lord," Arabella replied with a curtsy that acknowledged his rank whilst maintaining her own dignity.
"Excellent work with young Lady Livia," he continued with apparent sincerity. "My own daughter was quite impressed when they met at Lady Morrison's musicale last week. She said the girl showed remarkable poise for someone so new to society."
The casual revelation that Livia had been attending social events without Arabella's knowledge came as something of a surprise, though she supposed it was only natural that a young lady of her rank would receive invitations even before her formal debut.
"Lady Livia requires little guidance from me," she said modestly. "She possesses natural grace and intelligence that need only minor refinement."
"That is very kind of you to say, Miss Greystone, though I suspect you underestimate your own contributions." Lord Stanton's expression grew more serious as he continued. "I trust you know that decent people do not judge a lady's worth by temporary setbacks. Character reveals itself in how one responds to adversity, not in the adversity itself."
The unexpected support from such an influential figure made Arabella's eyes prick with grateful tears, though she blinked them back with determination.
"You are too kind, my lord."
"Not kind, merely accurate. Now, Your Grace, I wished to speak with you about that matter we discussed regarding the estate reforms. Perhaps we might..."
As the two gentlemen moved aside to discuss business matters, Arabella found herself momentarily alone, able to observe the social dynamics playing out around her with new perspective. Here she was, the notorious Miss Greystone who had been thoroughly compromised by London's most rakish duke, yet she was being treated with courtesy and even respect by some of society's most influential figures.
Perhaps Devon had been correct when he suggested that her reputation might be rehabilitated with time and proper management. Certainly, Lady Worthington and Lord Stanton seemed willing to overlook her scandalous circumstances in favor of her current conduct and accomplishments.
Yet even as hope began to flutter in her chest, she caught sight of Lady Huxley holding court near the refreshment table,her voice carrying clearly across the room as she regaled her audience with speculation about the exact nature of Arabella's relationship with her employer.
"Remember my words," the woman was saying with obvious relish, "there is far more to this arrangement than meets the eye. No gentleman engages a companion for his sister under such unusual circumstances without expecting certain... considerations in return."
