“I don’t rightly know.”
Her father shook his head. “You once had such a bright future, but you ruined it by showing favor to Lord Barrett.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He was the second son of an earl and should have been beneath your notice,” her father said. “Then he went and ruined you by breaking off your engagement.”
“I am well aware,” Arabella said curtly. “I do not need the reminder.”
Her father met her gaze. “You don’t know what I had to do to arrange for Lord Eastwood to offer for you.”
“You arranged Lord Eastwood’s offer for me?”
“I did,” her father replied. “I had to agree to political favors with his father, in addition to a large sum of money.”
“How much?”
“It doesn’t matter—”
She spoke over him. “How much did you pay for Lord Eastwood to take me off your hands?”
Her father pursed his lips. “Ten thousand pounds.”
Arabella sat back, stunned. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“You must understand that we were trying to help you.”
“We?”
He nodded. “Yes, Augusta was worried about you, as well.”
She huffed. “I truly doubt that.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Augusta hates me,” Arabella said, her voice rising.
“That is not true.”
Arabella jumped up and declared, “Augusta has done everything in her power to ensure that I am uncomfortable in my own home.”
“You are spouting nonsense.”
“Why did she have me move bedchambers?” Arabella asked, placing a hand on her hip.
Her father shrugged. “She assumed you would be more comfortable in the other one.”
“I think not.”
“Regardless, Augusta and I are worried that you will become a spinster and be a drain on our household,” her father said. “Marrying Lord Eastwood would solve that problem.”
“It would, but you would be sentencing me to a life of unhappiness.”
Her father sighed. “I daresay that you are being a bit dramatic. All marriages have some strife.”
“I refuse to marry Lord Eastwood.”
“I was hoping you would be reasonable,” he said. “After all, I traveled all the way from London to personally speak to you about this.”
