Chapter Fifteen #2
Now, four days after the onset of her fever, she was recovered enough to have joined the gathering, though she did not participate.
Scorseby had spent nearly the entire evening glued to her side, occupying the only chair near Arabella’s.
Linus didn’t fully trust himself to be civil to the interloping physician, so he’d kept something of a distance.
His attention, however, remained on Arabella.
Her coloring had not entirely returned to a hale and hearty hue.
She tucked her hands under her lap blanket as if to warm them.
More worrying than the lingering hints of illness, she looked tired.
Did Scorseby not see it? He was a man of medicine.
How could he continue to tax her as he was?
Did he not care at all for her well-being?
A couple approached Arabella and Scorseby, striking up a conversation Linus could not possibly overhear. Who were they? Arabella did not appear particularly pleased to see them.
Scorseby rose, offering a bow to the couple, then one to Arabella. Then he walked away, leaving her in the company of the as-yet-unidentified lady and gentleman. She did not look at all comfortable with the arrangement. Linus inched closer, attempting to sort out the situation.
Charlie happened past in that moment. Linus held him back. “Who is that talking with Miss Hampton?”
A quick look. “Her aunt and uncle.”
Hence the displeasure on Arabella’s face. She had mentioned before that her relatives were not always kind.
Something was said that left her paler than she was already. She shook her head vehemently. Her uncle pointed a finger. Her aunt leaned in and said something further. How could Linus intervene without drawing attention?
Perhaps the dowager might step in.
Arabella’s uncle snatched her arm and pulled her to a stand, her lap blanket slipping to the floor.
She attempted to bend to pick it up, but her aunt propelled her forward, away from the chair she had occupied.
Her gaze darted about the room, searching, he would guess, for an escape.
Her look of discomfort had changed to one of worry.
Linus sprang into action. He would make absolutely certain Arabella was safe and free of her aunt and uncle. No one would be permitted to cause her misery while he was in a position to intervene.
Linus spotted Adam not far distant and crossed to him immediately. A man of the navy, he understood the importance of assembling the right fleet. Something of the urgent nature of the situation must have shown in his face because Adam was on his feet by the time Linus reached him.
“Miss Hampton’s been dragged from the room by her aunt and uncle,” Linus said. “Multiple sources have told me they’re not kind people.”
“Say no more.” Adam caught Harry’s eye and, with a flick of his hand, motioned for their brother-in-law to join the rescue mission.
Linus took charge. “She passed through this door.” He led them in that direction.
Lord Lampton crossed their path. “What’s happened?” He eyed them all in turn.
“I saw Miss Hampton forcibly removed from the drawing room,” Linus said. “She looked nearly panicked.”
Lampton glanced over the room. “Where are her aunt and uncle?”
“They did the removing,” Linus said through a tense jaw.
Lampton nodded firmly and joined their brigade.
A moment later, they were in the corridor outside the drawing room. A woman’s voice echoed from not far away. Her words were not clear. A sharpness edged her tone.
Linus moved with determined steps toward the sound. So help him, if the Hamptons had mistreated Arabella in any way, he’d likely not be able to maintain his civility.
A hand grasped his arm, holding back the charge he meant to lead.
“For Miss Hampton’s sake, I’d best take command on this,” Lord Lampton said.
“We have a family connection, and this is my home. There will be fewer eyebrows raised.” He spoke without the ridiculousness one usually associated with the frivolous earl.
“But”—Lord Lampton met Adam’s eye—“your ability to intimidate would, I am certain, help tremendously.”
“I have never abandoned a lady in distress.” Adam growled the words. “I won’t start now.”
Linus and his brothers-in-law flanked their host as they turned a corner and came upon the very people they sought out. Arabella’s aunt and uncle stood with their backs to the gentlemen. Arabella, however, was in full view.
Worry filled every inch of her face. Linus reminded himself that it was best for Lord Lampton to undertake the intervention. He would support the effort, but he needed to clamp down the urge to rush in. Strategy over might.
They’d moved close enough to overhear what Arabella’s aunt was saying.
“I knew you would be a failure. I knew it. You still wander the neighborhood like a vagabond, earning the ridicule of everyone. You’ve done nothing at all useful this entire evening.
And to have incurred the expense of a doctor after only a fortnight here”—Arabella’s expression crumbled as her aunt continued the tirade—“pushes the bounds of what little value you bring. They will send you back in disgrace.”
“I am certain they won’t.” Arabella spoke with an edge of panic.
“All is not lost,” her aunt said. “The duchess’s brother has shown something of an interest in you. Why, soon, everyone will be speaking of it.”
Adam shot Linus a curious look, but he wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this either.
Mrs. Hampton pressed onward. “He simply must come up to scratch before you’ve pushed Lord Lampton beyond enduring.”
Lampton had reached Arabella’s uncle and slapped a hand on his shoulder with enough force for the sound to disrupt her aunt’s remarks.
“I thought we appeared short two guests.” Though the words were innocuous, his tone was not.
Beneath the jest was something far more threatening. Even Adam looked a little impressed.