A hot wave of misery flooded through her. She’d been happy with them. She’d been doing so well. Then she’d gone and ruined it all by kissing Philip and telling him she loved him.
How stupid could one get?
Her days with the family were numbered. Then what? She couldn’t imagine working as a governess elsewhere.
Return to her brother?
Arabella chewed on her bottom lip. He’d be furious and concerned. Having tragically lost his twin brother before she was born, she could understand why Henry was so overprotective of her. But it had stifled her.
She’d been determined to break out of the chains she’d been shackled to through mere birth. She wanted to carve her own life.
And then she’d gone and ruined it all.
What should she do now?
She thought of Miss Hilversham’s Seminary in Bath. Would Miss Hilversham take her in? Arabella sighed. It was unlikely.
The smell of rust, smog, and sewer wafted through the carriage. They were approaching London.
Before he’d returned to Scotland, Fergus had gone ahead and rented a house for them, South of the River in Lambeth, complete with a maid. It was an area of London that Arabella hardly ever frequented. Several years ago, she’d visited the Royal Asylum for Female Orphans, which was located nearby, but that was about it. The coach drew up in front of a narrow sandstone–coloured house. Maggie, the maid, had been expecting them and showed her a small, clean room. Arabella took off her bonnet and rubbed her eyes tiredly.
“Mr Merivale wants to leave right away,” Maggie informed her. “He’d like you to accompany them.”
“Very well.” She set the squashed straw bonnet on her head again.
Philip paced the hallway. “I need to get my business out of the way, the sooner the better.”
“Very well, sir.”
He threw her an odd look. “Good. Fine.” Why did he keep looking at her? “Are you well, Miss Weston?”
She clasped her hands tightly. “I am very well, sir.”
“Fine, fine,” Philip said with false heartiness. “Let us go, then. The children will join us. An outing in the park will do them good.”
“Where are we going?”
“We are taking a walk in Hyde Park,” Philip announced. “I thought the children could run in the park and stretch their legs, while I get my business done. I need to talk to the Duke of Ashmore. He lives in Grosvenor Square.”
Arabella dropped her reticule. Philip stepped through the door and surveyed the street.
“Why do you want to talk to the Duke of Ashmore?” She caught up with him, breathless.
“He’s the patron Winchester talked about. Apparently, he is immensely powerful and influential. He can pull some strings for me. God knows I detest having to do this, but things have gone so far that it is the only recourse open to me. If Ashmore has influence, I will take it.”
“But — but.” Arabella’s mind was in a whirl. Now was the time to tell him she was Ashmore’s sister. But he was already striding purposefully down the street, with Katy on one arm and Joy on the other.
“Mr Merivale. I need to tell you something.” Arabella moistened her lips.
“Yes?” He looked distracted.
“Papa, can we go to Gunter’s for ices afterwards?” Katy interjected.
“There’s strawberry ice, lemon ice, vanilla ice…” Joy chanted as she hopped next to them.
“Can we, Papa, can we?”
“Oh yes, let’s!” Katy and Robin talked simultaneously.
