Chapter 24 #2
So much more than Clara, and she was very good at making Arabella feel better.
“You’re missing him, aren’t you?” Clara asked quietly. “Well, that’s a bit of a stupid question. Of course you’re missing Alastair.”
“Is that bad?”
“Why would it be bad? You clearly like him, and the feeling definitely seems to be mutual from what I’ve seen. And now you’re unable to see each other properly because of this false arrest, and it’s making you miserable that you can’t see him in this sort of setting.”
Arabella closed her eyes. Clara had hit right on the mark. She was very astute when it came to outside observations. She squeezed her friend’s hand. “I do miss him. A lot. I wish he was here, and then I’d feel better about being here. No offense to you,” she added quickly.
“None taken.” Clara gave her a knowing smile. “You love him, don’t you?”
Arabella thought about denying it, but then she immediately gave up. What would be the point of that? She knew how she felt, and Clara was her confidant. Why wouldn’t she reveal that at this point? It might help with getting her thoughts in order.
She nodded. “Yes. I do. And I didn’t expect that to happen.”
“I think I did, actually.”
“What?”
Clara shrugged. “It’s just how well I know you.
I saw the tension between the two of you when I first saw you together, and I knew the attraction was immediate.
It’s been growing ever since, almost as if you two have forgotten about what brought you together in the first place. And that’s a good thing.” She smiled.
“You’re able to be yourself around him, and you’re not like that with many people. I think it’s just me who saw you for who you really are before Alastair and Helena came into our lives.”
Arabella couldn’t help but smile at the mention of Helena. “She’s a sweet girl, isn’t she? I really like her.”
“And I do as well. She’s good fun, and an ideal younger sister for you.”
“What?” Arabella started. “What do you mean?”
Clara giggled. “You don’t think this courtship is going to end once you find out what truly happened to your father? I don’t see that happening, if I’m honest.”
Arabella didn’t know what to say to that. She had been trying not to think about what would happen between her and Alastair once her father’s death had been dealt with. She wanted it to continue, but they would’ve gotten what they wanted and there would be no need. If Alastair felt the same way…
They were interrupted by the door opening and the butler coming into the room. He bowed at them.
“Forgive me for intruding, Lady Arabella, Miss Whitby, but Lord Fairleigh has instructed me to fetch you back.”
Arabella groaned. “Can’t you just say that you couldn’t find us?”
“I’m afraid not. He was very insistent.”
Arabella glanced at Clara, who rolled her eyes. Whatever Philip was up to was going to be irritating. But they would have to acquiesce for the moment, and then Arabella would leave. She wasn’t about to stay any longer when she didn’t want to.
They made their way back to the drawing room, where Philip was standing in front of the dozen guests also present. Arabella paused in the doorway, wondering what her brother was doing. It looked like he was captivating an audience.
“He’s not playing charades, is he?” Clara whispered. “I think that would be enough for me to get drunk with the last time he played it.”
Normally, that would’ve made Arabella laugh. But she found herself fixed onto his words to the guests.
“I understand that my sister’s courtship with the Duke of Hartwood isn’t to continue, especially considering the circumstances.
I wish I’d stopped it before when I was certain of the truth, but unfortunately things didn’t go that way.
” He glanced at Arabella as if he realized she’d just arrived.
“I want to make my sister happy, but there is only so much I can agree to.”
Arabella felt the hairs prickling on the back of her neck. What was he talking about? Was he insulting her in front of the other guests?
“Anyway, I’ve had an offer of marriage for my sister, and it’s a very good match.
It will be what our family needs to move on from this tragedy that has plagued my family for months.
Hopefully, I’m sure everyone here will agree with me on that.
” He turned to Vaughn, who was sitting on a settee with a smug look on his face.
“Lord Vaughn has asked my permission to marry Arabella. And I’ve accepted. ”
For a moment, the words echoed in Arabella’s head. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Philip had announced her engagement to Vaughn? It couldn’t be happening.
Now she realized why her brother had wanted her to come here. He wanted to make a public announcement and wipe away her courtship with Alastair as if it hadn’t happened.
The guests looked surprised, and then there was joy and happiness on the face of the ladies. Everyone started clapping, and Vaughn stood up, looking pleased at being the center of attention. Philip turned to Arabella and held out a hand.
“Arabella, come here.”
But Arabella couldn’t move. She was frozen to the spot. Her heart was pounding so hard she could feel the beating in her ears. How could this be happening? She didn’t want this.
“Arabella,” Philip repeated.