Page 61 of Marrying the Wrong Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 2)

Chapter Twenty

Arabella swayed back and forth on the swing hanging from the large oak tree on the south side of Clarendon Manor. She placed her hand on her belly, the slight swell a comfort. How much more she would enjoy the anticipation of a babe if Nash were here with her. She missed him a great deal. In fact, so much so it surprised her. His smile, the way he rubbed the back of his neck or ran his fingers through his hair when he was faced with a dilemma.

Dilemmas that were mostly caused by her.

Had she been selfish in her demands that she be allowed to drag home any number of injured and bleeding animals? Truth be known, she could very well have made some concessions. Had she honestly believed that everything should go her way in marriage? She’d watched her mother host dinner parties, soirees, and Arabella’s coming-out ball. It would not be so very difficult for her to do the same for Nash.

He’d allowed her to bring home animals and treat them, commandeering his library, and taking up space in an empty bedchamber. Although she’d promised many times to search for good homes for them, she had been quite remiss in that endeavor.

The only time she had honored his request to host a dinner party, she had humiliated him by leaving their guests to tend to an animal. Feeling guilty and not too proud of herself, Arabella stood and shook out her skirts. She needed a distraction, a way to forget some of the things she’d done to the man who had been honorable enough to marry her to save her reputation when she had no care for it.

Perhaps a ride on her horse, Bessie, would be just the thing. She slowly climbed the stairs and entered her bedchamber. Before she pulled out her riding habit, she crossed the room and opened the door leading to Nash’s bedchamber. That was another thing that troubled her. She was having a most difficult time sleeping.

She loved pushing her bottom up against Nash and having him wrap his strong arm around her middle and pulling her close. She’d felt secure and protected. Cared for. Two weeks away from Nash seemed like so much more. How could someone crawl into her heart so easily?

Crawl into my heart?

She moaned, knowing the truth of it. As she sat on her bed, she considered the situation. She was carrying a babe, and wanted—nay needed—her husband with her. To share in the joy of the first fluttering in her tummy, to talk about names, dream about their child, and argue over godparents. True, he’d banished her to the country, but it had been her choice to leave.

Sighing, she stood and rang the bell for Sophia. Once she was outfitted in her riding habit, she strode from the house to the stables. Martin, the head stable master, pushed his cap back on his head and offered her a bright smile. “Will you be needing a groom to accompany you this morning, my lady?”

“No. I won’t be leaving the property.”

She placed her foot in his hand, and he hoisted her onto the horse. She had a moment’s dizziness, but then shook her head

to clear it.

“Are you well, my lady?”

“Yes. I am fine. Thank you.” She tapped Bessie and the mare took off. She gave the horse her head and enjoyed the wind whipping through her hair. Pretty soon, she would not be able to ride this way, but she did not have Nash here to order her about.

Her hat flew from her head, and she laughed as it landed on a pile of leaves. She continued on, the fresh air in her lungs helping to clear the cobwebs from her head.

When she returned from her ride, she would pen a note to Nash and inquire after his well-being. She hadn’t received any correspondence from him, but one of them had to make the first move. Her heart felt lighter, and for the first time in two weeks, some hope of future happiness filled her.

One thing she could do while she waited for his response was to find homes for several of the dogs. It would hurt to give away some of them, but Nash was more important than animals. It was a shame it had taken her so long, and a separation, to realize that.

She climbed a rise and slowed the horse to a trot, then a walk. From here she could see the entire estate, all the tenants’ cottages, and the village off to the east, smoke from the chimneys floating in the air. Nash’s new land steward had been doing a wonderful job of meeting with the tenants, discerning their needs, and assuring them Lord Clarendon was truly interested in their success. Probably the best news he’d granted them was an end to the rent increase Jones had put into place.

The man still had not been found, but when she’d spoken with the new steward, Mr. Nelson, he had assured her he kept in touch with the magistrate to make sure Jones was still being sought.

She continued to take in the view and inhaled a deep breath of the country air. As much as she loved it here, her place was with her husband. Instead of writing and waiting for a response, she would pack up and return to London. The animals could stay here, and as much as it would break her heart, she would ask the staff to find homes for them. Once in London, she would limit her walks in the park so she wasn’t confronted by so many injured animals. She would, however, at least still help those who wandered into her path.

She would even—she shuddered—host another dinner party with orders she was not to be disturbed.

For any reason.

Feeling lighthearted and good about her decision, and anxious to begin the process of packing and returning to Town, she pulled on the reins and turned Bessie. Tapping the side of the animal with her crop, they took off, bounding down the hill toward the manor.

The first thing she would do when she returned to London was to tell Nash that he meant more to her than the animals. He had captured her heart. She grinned at the thought and hoped it wasn’t too late. He had tried to reason with her, but she’d been stubborn about doing everything her way. No more.

A slight niggling of doubt crept into her thoughts. Had he already given up on her? Would he turn her away when she returned? Chewing on her lip and pondering Nash’s response, she neglected to steer Bessie away from the rabbit hole. The horse stumbled, and Arabella went flying through the air, landing with a thump on her hip. Dazed, she sat up, then stood. A wave of nausea and dizziness washed over her, and she felt a stickiness between her legs.

Her knees buckled, and she landed back on the ground.

My baby!

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