A fter their argument at the Assembly, Gregory had come to her bedchamber. He’d shared Arabella’s bed the five nights since, slipping in and out unseen, few words spoken between them. Her behavior was reckless, she knew that, but she did nothing to stop him. Age-old fear seemed muted when strong arms were around her.
Sleep became a friend again.
Even knowing what Harrow was, in the dark, in the quiet, she let herself feel peace. She indulged, a glutton for it, having forgotten the sensation.
Every night she received him between her legs. Every night he covered her mouth with his palm when that twisting pleasure tore through her. He stifled all her screams... whether fostered by his touch or by the occasional nightmare.
Gregory kept her to himself in the dark.
Come morning, he was gone and her daylight hours continued as if he had never been there. She wandered the moors alone, played the baroness when the parson came to tutor Hugh, took meals with the household, and brooded over letters from Solicitor Griggs.
It was a visit to the Jenkins family that finally unsettled the false serenity she’d deluded herself with.
Sitting in their fine parlor, taking tea, Arabella grew apprehensive when Gregory did not appear. She found she could hardly concentrate. Having assured herself that the man’s habit of arriving when she was there would force his figure out of every dark corner.
Gregory would retaliate; he would be his horrible self. But he never came.
“Are you unwell, your ladyship?”
Blinking, looking at the fair gentleman across the settee, Arabella forced a smile. “I am leaving for town tomorrow. Preparations for the journey have taken up a corner of my mind.”
Lizzy was openly troubled. “You are not thinking of leaving for the winter, are you?”
“No.” Arabella shook her head. “It is only an unavoidable visit. I hope to return as soon as possible.”
Appeased, even a little envious, Lizzy asked, “Visiting friends?”
The baroness set her teacup aside and remained unsmiling. “I am going to court.”
“You are going to court?” Lilly hardly spoke when Arabella called, but it seemed the girl’s tongue ran before her thoughts—and what a jealous tongue it was.
Arabella had no excitement for her upcoming trip. “I will write you all abou
t it, should you like.”
Lilly did not want to say yes, but it was clear she was eager for news of such things. “That would be lovely.”
Arabella smiled, hoping they might find some common ground in the gesture.
It was all wiped away a moment later when the pretty brunette began speaking of the wonderful afternoon they had all spent the day prior with Mr. Harrow. “You really should apologize to him, Lady Iliffe,” Lilly said, demure and sly. “He is very influential, and it is clear your behavior to him has affected his opinion. He looked positively irritated when your name came up in conversation.”
Arabella knew it would be pointless to argue with a girl so besotted. “As he is my landlord, I suppose I must agree with you... unless, of course, I should take another house.”
Imperious, Lilly replied, “He owns almost the entire county. You would not be able to find one.”
“Enlighten me, Miss Lilly.” Arabella met doe eyes with a direct gaze. “What do you find agreeable in the man?”
Lilly blushed, but before she could speak her younger sister Lizzy jumped in teasing. “His fortune.”
Arabella would not laugh at her, not when she was certain Lilly had no idea of the man she truly admired. “Do not taunt your sister, Lizzy.”
Glaring daggers at her loudmouthed sibling, Lilly listed her reasons for adoration. “Mr. Harrow is handsome and intelligent, has polished manners. He is a fine dancer.”
“Do you find him kind?” Arabella asked.
“When you are not around to bait his temper, yes.”
So there it was... everything, of course, was her fault.