She needed all the weapons at her disposal to win Vera over. And perhaps she could hit two birds with one stone if she could turn Gerald’s head to finally look at her.
“I am trusting you, Bridget on this,” Arabella said. “I never thought I would use fashion as a strategy, but if it what it takes…”
* * *
Later that evening, Arabella was quite satisfied to see that at least one of the birds was indeed hit with a stone. Because that exact expression that Gerald had as he watched her go down the stairs to meet him at the entrance of their mansion was the one she was aiming for.
It was momentary, of course. Gerald was very good at masking his emotions and reactions, and yet Arabella was very quick to catch it. That slight drop of a jaw and the widening of his eyes as he took her in.
“I see, Your Grace,” he said when she was finally in front of him, “that you are committed to your new role.”
“My new role has cost you a small fortune, so the least you can expect from me is commitment,” she replied.
Gerald’s eyes swept over her one last time, drinking in the deep violet gown that clung to her form. Then, with a measured step, he offered his arm, guiding her toward the waiting carriage.They were expected for tea at the Pembleton Manor before they headed to the opera.
“You do remember what you have to do?” Gerald asked.
“You have already reminded me more than a hundred times,” Arabella said.
“I was merely making sure, Your Grace, that you are not distracted,” Gerald smirked at her, a devastating thing.
Arabella thought she should really talk to other married women to see if they, too, were inclined to hit and kiss their husbands at the same time. He was clearly toying with her, and it made her furious and hot at the same time.
“You don’t need to worry about my focus, Your Grace,” she said with her most saccharine smile. “I have already seen this particular opera, and other than some particular moments, it offers little distraction.”
He would be quick to reply if they had not arrived in front of the Pembleton manor in the most fashionable area of Mayfair.
Arabella would have deduced herself, even if Gerald hadn’t told her, that the Earl of Pembleton had managed to amass a great fortune since it was written in every gilded corner.
They were shown to the drawing room, and the moment they entered, the temperature dropped. The Earl stood up to greetthem, his Countess in tow. But while the host was reserved but polite, Vera did nothing to hide her displeasure at Arabella’s presence in her home.
It was exactly as Arabella suspected it would unfold. In Vera’s eyes, she was nothing more than a lower lady who had gained a higher station that most probably she was unworthy of.
They sat down for tea, and small talk started. Well, at least mostly on Arabella’s side, as she endeavored to engage Vera in a meaningful conversation, but it proved an impossible task.
At the same time, across the little table, Gerald was faring much better. It was obvious that this was merely an opportunity for him to present his proposal to the Earl. And he was delivering in the most faultless manner. Up till that moment, Arabella didn’t have the chance to observe Gerald under this light.
She had heard, of course, that they all called him ruthless not only because of the way he treated his family but also because he was quite cutthroat when it came to business. And for once, the rumors were true. It was almost mesmerizing to watch.
“You are suggesting, Duke of Albury,” the Earl set his cup on the saucer, “that such an investment would return me this amount in two years? Quite ambitious.”
Gerald’s gaze did not hesitate. His voice carried calm and certainty as he leaned forward.
“Ambitious, perhaps, but not reckless.”
“You haven’t taken into consideration the market fluctuations.”
“On the contrary. I have accounted for that as well as the tariffs recently imposed, and even contingencies for unforeseen complications.”
The Earl seemed quite impressed, and so was Arabella. At least she knew that he was indeed working on things in his study, other than ignoring her. Gerald seemed to be holding his part on this outing. Arabella had to do hers.
“I must admit, Lady Pembleton,” Arabella turned to Vera with her most sincere look, “that I specifically asked Madame Claire to adjust one of your gowns for me.”
That got Vera’s attention finally. Only then did she seem to take in Arabella’s appearance. Arabella herself had never had the means to appear in high fashion, but she always had an eye for what was elegant, even though not especially daring in terms of fashion. And Arabella made a mental note to give a token of appreciation to Madame Claire because Vera’s eyes widened as well.
“Your Grace,” Vera still hurt calling her that, “you have chosen a very daring color.”
“Well, I think that one should choose based on the colors matching their appearance instead of the fashion dictated.”
