“It took some time, but I learned to cope with it,” her grandmother replied. “You must rise above the small irritants in marriage to enjoy the tender moments that come along with being with the person you love.”
Her grandmother continued. “A day does not go by that I don’t miss him. He died entirely too young.”
“I’m sorry you lost him so long ago.”
A wistful smile came to her grandmother’s face. “I was blessed to have him in my life for nearly thirty years,” she said. “His memory remains with me, and I will always treasure it.”
“Not everyone feels as deeply as you do about marriage.”
“That is most unfortunate, because anything that is worth doing in this life takes hard work,” her grandmother remarked, “and a successful marriage will bring forth great joy.”
Arabella shook her head. “Yet my father waited only six months after my mother’s death before he wed another.”
“I cannot speak for your father’s intentions, but he might have been lonely.”
“He had me.”
“That is not the same thing,” her grandmother said.
Arabella pursed her lips together. “I’m afraid I can never forgive him for that.”
Her grandmother gave her a knowing look. “Are you making a list of everyone who has ever wronged you?” she teased.
“That isn’t funny. You wouldn’t want to forgive them, either.”
“When you refuse to forgive, you start to grow resentful,” her grandmother said. “That is not the life I want for you.”
“The life I had envisioned for myself is gone.”
“How do you know that for certain?”
Arabella sighed. “No sensible man will want me now.”
“Sometimes the most unsensible men are the most fun,” her grandmother joked. “Besides, I intend to leave you an inheritance, so you won’t have to want for anything.”
“That is most generous of you.”
Her grandmother rose from the settee and walked over to her. “You must be patient with yourself and trust that things will work out in your favor.”
“I’m afraid patience is not one of my virtues.”
“I know, child,” her grandmother said. “You have always looked toward the future, but have never learned to enjoy the present.”
Arabella winced. “There is some truth to that.”
“Only some?”
“You are right,” Arabella said. “The last time I truly enjoyed living in the moment was when I was engaged to Colin.”
“Why do you suppose that was?”
Arabella stiffened. “It matters not,” she declared.
“Of course, it matters—”
“I do not wish to discuss this,” Arabella interrupted. “Frankly, there is no point in doing so.”
“I just feel—”
