Page 36 of Seven Swans a Swimming

Today was Boxing Day. Her last day.

A twist of her heart pained her, and Arabella found herself lifting a hand to her chest, as though that would stop the agony.

Leaving here—leaving Nathaniel? It was strange to think how dearly she had wished for it when she had first arrived, when she had not understood Nathaniel, nor he, her. She had longed to leave then, to escape what had felt like a dreary festive season—but now Arabella could not think of leaving him without very real pain.

How long would it be before she was able to see him again? Weeks? A month, even?

There had been talk, before she had left London, of the Cartiers coming to London for Easter—but could she wait that long?

Arabella smiled wistfully as she gazed into the fire. And today she had managed to make her way downstairs to the great hall, in the full knowledge of where the breakfast room was.

She had done it. Despite her fears at the beginning of her stay here, she had managed to conquer Oxcaster Lacey. Conquer her objections. Conquer Nathaniel’s heart.

“There you are!”

Arabella turned with a bright smile to the gentleman who had descended the staircase.

Nathaniel. Hair wild, as usual, with his blue eyes sparkling and that ridiculous smock. Arabella could not help but laugh to herself. There were some things about Nathaniel that she knew it would be pointless to attempt to change; they were who he was, like the swans and the animals and the barn.

That smock was one of them. He truly was a strange lord indeed.

Nathaniel stepped toward her, pulled her into his arms, and kissed Arabella so deeply, that she whimpered slightly in his embrace, clutching him to her, desperate for it to continue. Thought was not necessary at the moment.

When they finally broke apart, Arabella was breathless and more than a little eager to return right upstairs and enjoy some slow, gentle, early morning love making.

“Arabella,” Nathaniel whispered.

“Yes?”

“I—”

“There you two are, and—oh.”

Arabella and Nathaniel sprang apart as they saw Lady Cartier emerge from the breakfast room, a napkin in her hand and a rather pink expression on her face.

Heat rushed to Arabella’s cheeks, and she dropped her gaze immediately. Oh, this was uncomfortable! Being caught kissing Nathaniel, and by his mother no less! She could well imagine the awkwardness if they had been discovered by her mother!

But Nathaniel did not appear uncomfortable at all. On the contrary, he slipped his arm around Arabella before he spoke.

“Good morning, Mother,” he said cheerfully. “Starting without us?”

“Waiting for you,” said Lady Cartier a little sternly, but there was a small smile appearing now on her lips. “Come on.”

Arabella glanced up at Nathaniel, half afraid she would be censored when she entered there for making a display of herself. Why, if the mistress of the house happened upon them, what were the chances that a servant could do the same?

Lord Cartier was already seated at the breakfast table, this time on the corner nearest his wife. This meant that as Nathaniel sat down, Arabella found herself seated at a right angle to him. Closer to him. More conscious of his gaze on her.

Partly to distract herself than anything else, Arabella reached for the teapot. That was it, tea. She could surely return to being a completely normal and calm person, perfectly designed for Society, if she could just have some tea.

The steaming hot liquid poured into the cup, and Nathaniel leaned over and dropped a slice of lemon in it.

Arabella looked up in surprise.

Nathaniel grinned. “I do pay attention, you know. I know you prefer a slice of lemon in your tea. I know many of your preferences.”

Heat seared her cheeks, and Arabella looked down, hoping his parents had not heard him. That was the thing about Nathaniel. She was particularly good at underestimating him; had done from the very beginning when she had first arrived here, and it appeared she was still doing so.

How was it that Nathaniel was able to watch her so carefully, lovingly see what she wanted, what she desired, then immediately move to give her what that was?

---