He looked up at her over his teacup and nodded, before setting the cup down.
“Good morning, Arabella,” he greeted, removing a newspaper from the chair beside him and pulling it out for her. “I trust you slept well?”
“I did, and you?” she asked, sitting down.
“Quite well, thank you. I must beg your pardon for having breakfast without you, but I’m in a bit of a rush. I must go to town. I hope you won’t mind spending the day on your own.”
Arabella’s heart sank. He planned to be in town all day. If she hadn’t decided to visit her sisters, she would have been alone again in this vast house.
“I’m going to Hayward to see my sisters,” she said, trying to mask her disappointment. “Unless you would rather I stay here and wait for you? Perhaps we could have a late luncheon together?”
Harry shook his head, his expression unchanged. “I’m afraid I won’t be back until late. It’s best if we don’t plan on taking our meals together unless prearranged. You can always send Mabel to Brandon, and they can coordinate our schedules.”
Coordinate schedules. What had she been thinking? Just because they had a pleasant evening didn’t mean he was going to change his mind. He most certainly didn’t seem inclined to do so now.
“Then I’ll stay at Hayward and have dinner with my sisters as well,” she said, trying to keep her voice even.
At that, Harry’s expression shifted slightly. “Will your father be there?”
“I assume so, since it is his home,” she replied, unable to keep a hint of irritation from her voice.
“Perhaps I should send Brandon with you, just in case. Your last meeting with your father was rather unpleasant, and I wouldn’t want you to be in a situation where he might harm you.”
Arabella felt her emotions swirling. One moment he acted as if he didn’t care about her, and the next he was concerned for her safety. What was she to make of this?
“My father is mercurial, but he has never threatened me physically. And I believe you made it quite clear to him that I now have a higher standing. I’m sure all will be well. There’s no need to trouble Brandon.”
“Very well, but if the situation becomes uncomfortable, do not hesitate to bring your sisters here. They are welcome to visit for a few days anytime—just let me know in advance. Unless it’s an emergency.”
His tone was sincere, and Arabella sensed that he genuinely cared for her and her sisters, even though he didn’t know them. Unsure of what else to say, she nodded.
Harry then rose, straightening his green waistcoat and glancing at his golden pocket watch. “Well, I must be off,” he said, but then hesitated. “I was wondering—would you care to join me at church this Sunday? It might be good for people to see us together. As you said, we must cement the validity of our marriage in the eyes of the town.”
“Yes, I would like that. And perhaps we could promenade afterward?” she suggested, though she inwardly chastised herself for pressing the matter.
To her surprise, he smiled. “That sounds rather pleasant. I actually thought to introduce you to someone at church—a Mr. Willoughby. Are you familiar with him?”
She shook her head, but then the name sparked a memory. “Harbert Willoughby? The violinist?”
“He’s not just a violinist—he also plays the harp, the pianoforte, and several other instruments. He used to have a career playing in the finest orchestras in the country, but now he only teaches,” Harry explained.
“I heard he was fully retired,” she said, intrigued.
“He is, but he was a friend of my father’s, and it was he who taught me to play the harp. I thought, if you like, I could speak to him about teaching you to play the violin.”
Arabella’s mouth fell open in surprise. “I would love that, Harry. Very much.”
“Good. We are in agreement then. Now, I really must be off. I hope you enjoy your day,” he said, and with that, he was gone, leaving her once again uncertain of his true nature and desires.
CHAPTER 17
“Bella!” Hanna called as she dashed out the front door of Hayward Manor a little later that morning. Her hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her face was aglow as she rushed toward Arabella and wrapped her arms around her. “I missed you so much. I know it has only been two days, but I have missed you so very much, indeed!”
“And I you,” Arabella replied, her voice tender. “I have so much to tell you. But where is Emma?”
“She is down by the lake,” Hanna replied, her tone betraying the trouble she carried in her heart.
“The lake? Why is she not at the house?” Arabella asked, glancing toward the imposing manor.
