Arabella slowly walked towards the manor, memories starting to stir deep within her, ones she had tried to forget. The image of her playing on the lawn with Colin came to her mind. They were so young and carefree, and she’d had no idea how he would eventually betray her, taking the last amount of joy she possessed.
Tears came to her eyes, but she blinked them back vehemently. She refused to cry over him now; she had spent entirely too much time dwelling on him over the years. Why couldn’t she just banish him from her mind, never think of him again?
She arrived at the main door, which was promptly opened by Moore.
“How was your ride?” he asked, standing aside to allow her entry.
“It was quite pleasant,” she lied, stepping into the entry hall. “Is my grandmother in the breakfast parlor?”
Moore shook his head. “No, she is in the drawing room with Lord Barrett, and she has requested that you join them.”
Arabella stared at him in disbelief. Why was Colin making a nuisance of himself and showing up unannounced at her grandmother’s manor? Furthermore, how had he managed to arrive before she did?
Finding her voice, she asked, “Will you inform my grandmother that I have a headache and that I went to lay down?”
“Yes, milady,” Moore said.
Arabella heard Colin’s baritone voice wafting out of the drawing room, and she fought the urge to draw closer. She remembered well how his voice had the ability to make her feel things without her ever being touched.
With quick steps, she headed towards the stairs, hoping to escape unnoticed. She had just put her hand on the iron banister when her grandmother’s voice came from behind her.
“Arabella,” she said cheerily. “There you are.”
She removed her hand and reluctantly turned around. “Here I am,” she replied.
“Will you be joining Lord Barrett and I in the drawing room?”
She knew her only recourse would be to lie, so Arabella brought her hand up to her head. “I would, but I have a terrible headache.”
“Is that so?”
“It is,” she replied. “It is just awful, and I’m afraid I need to go lie down.”
Her grandmother gave her a knowing look. “Will you at least come say hello to Lord Barrett?”
Arabella lowered her hand and sighed. She didn’t want to admit that she had already spoken to Colin in the woods. “I suppose I could, but only for a moment.”
“Wonderful,” her grandmother replied.
Dread filled each step as she approached the drawing room. Arabella didn’t dare refuse her grandmother’s simple request. It wasn’t her fault Colin was so insufferable.
He was standing next to the settee and offered her a brief smile when she stepped into the room. He looked dashingly handsome in his blue riding jacket and buff trousers. His hair was brushed forward, and his long sideburns were neatly trimmed.
Arabella had always considered Colin to be the most handsome man she had ever known. He had a square jaw, a straight nose, and eyes that had always entranced her. But his eyes seemed different now. They were filled with a pain that she didn’t understand.
Her grandmother stood next to her. “Isn’t it wonderful that Lord Barrett has returned home from the war?”
“It is,” Arabella answered.
Colin bowed. “It is good to see you looking so well, Lady Arabella.”
Arabella dropped into a curtsy, knowing what was expected of her. “You are too kind, my lord.”
Her grandmother gestured towards Colin. “Lord Barrett has been gracious enough to volunteer to help you select a tree for this year’s Christmas party.”
Arabella’s heart dropped. She didn’t want to spend any time with Colin. Frankly, she didn’t trust herself around him. “Surely, he has more important things to do,” she attempted.
“Nothing is more important than helping the orphans of this village have a memorable Christmas,” he said, challenging her.
