Kate sighed. “What could he possibly stand to gain from courting you? Besides a beautiful wife, of course.”
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “I don’t know. But I do not trust him.”
“Proceed with caution then.” She shrugged, picking up her teacup again. “But proceed nonetheless. As your friend and ally, I’m afraid I must ask you to do something you might not wish to do.” She raised an eyebrow.
Dread sank through my stomach. “What?”
“Flirt with him in return.”
My eyes widened. “Do you know me at all? I don’t know how to flirt with gentlemen! All I know how to do is make strange comments…or impertinent ones, and act like I don’t care whether he lives or dies on the morrow!”
Kate snorted, nearly dropping her cup. “Perhaps Mr. Campbell likes that about you.”
“He does act entertained, at least,” I muttered. “But I despise the thought of flattering him.” I threw my hands out in front of me. “He is so arrogant and vexing and?—”
“Attractive?” Kate lifted one eyebrow.
I swallowed hard. “He is notbad-looking, I suppose. If one likes dark hair and blue eyes and fitted jackets.”
“Who doesn’t?” Kate whispered with a mischievous smile. For a woman married to a blond man with brown eyes, she was quite open about her opinions. In truth, I did find Mr. Campbell attractive. Very. Even his blasted hands. I remembered how strong they had looked gripping the railing of the balcony in the assembly rooms. I shook the image from my mind.
Kate leaned back with a sigh. “Mr. Campbell is likely just as confused as you are. You went from following him all around Bath to acting cold and disinterested.”
“Andhewent from cold and disinterested to followingmeall around Bath.” I stared at the pink wall behind Kate, a sudden daze overcoming me. Was she right? Was I being foolish for even questioning it? I had very little time to secure a fortune, and Mr. Campbell was practically handing me one. I didn’t need to understand the reason. If I let this opportunity pass by because of my pride, then Freddy and our entire family would never recover.
“This is what you wanted, is it not?” Kate gave me a baffled look that confirmed the conclusions I had just drawn in my head.
“Yes.” I looked down at my hands in my lap. I twisted my fingers together, my heart in my throat. On the surface, itwaswhat I wanted. But deep inside, different hopes and dreams battled for my attention. Before I could feel them, I buried them just as I had when I had first learned of Freddy’s disgrace and my new responsibility. I couldn’t afford to be selfish at a time like this. I had always planned on marrying eventually, but I had never imagined it would be like this. I felt like I was appraising a horse rather than examining my heart for any feelings for the man I hoped to marry. It was strange and unsettling. If I were to be honest with myself…it wasn’t actually what I wanted.
Not at all.
“Did you eventually fall in love with Mr. Ollerton?” The question burst out of my mouth without permission.
Kate blinked twice, as if I had startled her. A light laugh escaped her. “I have always found that to be an interesting concept.”
I frowned. “Love?”
Kate and I had never spoken about love. As far as I knew, she had treated her courtship like a business transaction. She had set her attention on Mr. Ollerton in London, her mother had arranged their meeting, Kate had employed all her husband-catching tactics and showcased her accomplishments, and then Mr. Ollerton had negotiated with her father regarding her dowry.
“Fallingin love,” she clarified. “Falling sounds quite out of my control. Quite dangerous.” She grimaced. “And quite painful. I have developed a fondness for Mr. Ollerton, to be sure. It is slow and steady and comfortable. That sounds much better to me thanfalling.” Her lips turned upward, but there was a distance in her gaze as she spoke. “We are building a life together that suits society’s expectations.”
“But he is in London, and you are…here. Do you miss him?”
Kate looked down. “I suppose I should. I do worry for him when he is in poor health. But I enjoy my freedom, and he enjoys his. If he ever misses me, I expect he will call me back to London.”
I nodded slowly, feeling suddenly guilty for even bringing up the subject. Most of the time, Kate seemed truly happy with her decision. But there were moments when I wondered if she was hiding the truth from me. Since the moment I had confided in her about my plight, she had been eager to help me secure a wealthy match. Perhaps she wanted company in her decision to marry for money rather than love—perhaps it would help her not feel so alone. Either way, I was grateful for her help. She might have had a choice in her reasons for marrying, but unfortunately I did not.
I studied her downcast eyes. “Well, I am glad you are here. I couldn’t do this without you.”
She smiled. “Let us hope Mr. Campbell calls upon you again.”
I reflected on his teasing smile and warm blue eyes. If I wasn’t careful, I would find myself hoping for the same thing…but for the wrong reasons entirely. My cheeks tingled with heat. Before I could think of him again, I stirred yet another sugar cube into my tea.
CHAPTER 10
ARABELLA
“Arabella!” The voice sounded distant, repeating faintly through my head as if part of a dream. Was it Aunt Julia’s voice? It grew louder, more persistent, until my eyes flew open.
