“Don’t oh, Harriet me. My situation has improved, but I want more for you.”
“I don’t even know where to start. Even if I can convince Papa to take us to London for the Season, it won’t be for six months at the very least. His feelings for me could expire by then. Indeed, they might have already when he realized I had not kept my word in meeting him before he left.”
“If you can chase down a stranger and convince him to marry you, then you can find a way to tell Mr. Ashworth about your writing and about how you feel about him.” I opened my mouth to object, but Harriet stopped me. “Promise me.”
I sighed and sank back into her couch. “Very well. I will find a way to tell him.” If given the chance, I’d rather marry Rowan and keep my writing a secret, but Harriet was right. If I wanted the unconditional love that so few had, then I had to take the risk.
Harriet treated me to a platter of food before letting me leave, assuring me that her appetite had returned. I was happy for her. It was good that I had come. I had needed to see the world from her eyes for a moment and to realize that my story wasn’t over yet. I could not be a weak protagonist who gave up at the climax of her story.
Upon returning to Elmhurst, I was greeted by Tabitha at the door, her face drawn and pale. “What is it?”
She motioned me inside and shut the door behind us. “I’m afraid it’s Mr. Clodwick.”
I froze. “Is he ill? Did he see another ghost?”
She shook her head. “He’s returned to Quillsbury.”
Now this I had not expected. “Did he say why?”
“He said that after losing Lady Farthington’s favor he had no reason to stay.”
I coughed. “He said that?” I shook my head in disbelief. He truly did not care about me at all then. Guilt and relief swirled briefly inside me,settling into a measure of peace. “Do not worry overmuch, Tabitha. It’s for the best.”
Tabitha raised a brow.
“At least now I will not have to think of a way to break ouralmostengagement.”
“Then you aren’t hurt by his departure?”
“I have been very foolish, Tabitha. I thank you for unconditional support, but now you may be at ease.”
Tabitha sighed, her relief palpable. “Well, that is one crisis averted. What about Papa? You have lost two suitors in one day.”
I chewed on my lip for a moment. An idea had formed on my ride home, and there was nothing to keep me from acting upon it. “Don’t worry, Tabitha. I have thought of something even Papa would approve of.”
It must’ve been the mischievous tone leaking into my words because Tabitha’s demeanor changed to one of suspicion. “What are you up to, Arabella Delafield?”
I continued my charge up the stairs. “I’m climbing out of my tower.”
“What?” Tabitha asked.
I glanced back long enough to see her hike up her skirts and chase after me.
For the first time all day, I smiled. “Come, we have a love letter to write.”
Even after the worst of storms, there was a rainbow to look forward to. I was about to chase mine.
Chapter 27
Rowan
Soft yellow beams of afternoon sunlight streamed through the carriage windows and danced on Lady Farthington’s sagging cheeks while she dozed. Her purring snores filled the small space like the sound of bees swarming in the distance. Stale air from hours of confining ourselves in the bouncing conveyance had me reaching for my cravat. The knot had lost any neat appeal hours ago, and I longed to rip it from my throat.
My mind whirled as steadily as the bounce of the carriage on the road, reviewing all the moments I had had with Arabella—from my earliest memories to this morning when she had dashed all my hopes for a future together. How could I return to Elmhurst Hall now?
My eyes fell on my satchel on the seat beside me. A corner of a book peeked out the opening. I had forgotten about Mr. Delafield’s books. My mind had been so completely consumed that I had not thought of them once. Sticking out of one was a letter from Ambrose Hartley that I had received only last night. I had been too caught up in my thoughts of Arabella to read it, and I had shoved it in my bag.
I slipped the letter out and unfolded it. Besides Leonard, Rosie was one of my only friends still unmarried and at risk for losing the bet. He was a good friend, and I wanted him to be happy. But if he mentioned one word about being in love, I would cast it out the window before finishing. And my reasons had nothing to do with money or competition.
