Another chuckle snuck out. “Well, perhaps you will be a useful hunting dog. Who would have thought?”
“Not me.”
Robert spun about. Arabella stood in the doorway, watching him with a pleased smile. “But, I also did not think you cared much for dogs.” She jerked her head toward Prince in his arms. “Apparently I was wrong about that, too.”
“Nonsense.” Robert placed Prince back down. “I was only . . . trying to scare off a squirrel.”
“Bothering you, was it?” Arabella came farther into the room.
Robert shrugged. “They can be destructive.”
“Ah, yes. Of course.” She picked up a book, flipping through a few pages before returning it neatly back to its place on the shelf. “I plan to leave next week for Glennview.”
When Robert only stared, she continued. “As long as you do not mind me settling there. I assumed you and Louisa would go to Willowcrest once Parliament is out of session.”
Glennview was their small cottage in Wales and was only used for time away—or when his mother visited her family. She had numerous siblings over that way, so he could see why she would choose to settle there for the winter. But he had not been expecting her to depart yet. Now, it would be just him and Louisa. His mother had been serving as a buffer for him, keeping Louisa company when he was busy during the day. It had helped him feel more at ease knowing that extra help was there for her.
His mother misinterpreted his silence, continuing before he could respond. “I can certainly go to Willowcrest if you plan to use Glennview for a late honeymoon. Seeing as how you and Louisa never took one.”
“No,” he quickly added before she could spout off any more thoughts. “I mean—that will be fine.” Though it would be a nice place to take Louisa one day. The grounds sat on the coast and boasted spectacular views. “Perhaps she and I will come join you in the spring.”
“That would be welcome. Then she could meet my siblings. I know they would adore her.” Arabella smiled.
“You are likely correct. But I do not want to push her if she isn’t ready to meet everyone.”
“Nonsense. That sounds more like you than Louisa. She adores meeting people.”
“You mean she is comfortable with it. I am still unsure whether she adores it or not.” He leaned back against the window casing.
“Well, I am sure. And I know my sister would love showing her the coast.”
Robert’s head felt fuzzy. It all sounded surreal to him. Louisa was a part of their family, and yet he felt there was still so little he knew about her. “Very well. The spring at Glennview it is.”
“If it is all the same to you, I plan to invite Jessica to stay with me. I would hate for her to be alone all winter.”
Robert nodded, his fingers tightening against the casing. “I suppose I thought she wouldn’t care, based upon her reaction to her husband’s death. It seems her life would go along as it always had.”
Arabella slowly walked across the room, trailing her fingers over a few decorative items scattered across Robert’s desk. “I am not surprised by her reaction, Robert. And I suppose I had other motives in mind with her joining me. Perhaps she could meet someone.”
“Meet someone?” He leaned forward. “She will be in mourning for a year.”
“Which is why Wales will be perfect.” Arabella’s hand stopped as she brought her eyes up to his. “She can still get out of the house and socialize without the prying eyes of London.”
Robert nodded. “Lord Drake’s funeral is in two days’ time. I suppose she could go with you if you plan to leave next week. And she would be able to keep you company.”
“Exactly,” she said with a sigh. “Now, I would also like to come and visit you and Louisa at Christmastime, if that is agreeable to you.”
“Of course. I do not want you to feel as if you need permission to come to your own home.”
“But it is not my home, Robert. It is yours.”
“A situation I find completely unfair.”
Arabella’s smile softened, her eyes crinkling around the edges. “You always were my tender child.” She shook her head, glancing down at the desk. “And I sometimes find myself wondering what your life would look like had your father not intervened as he did.”
Robert sat up straighter. “What do you mean? I asked for his assistance.”
“I know you did. And I suppose I went along with it as well.” She picked up a grouse-shaped paperweight, weighing it between her hands. “But now, with Louisa here, I suppose I have a new hope.”
