“Do you remember when you were afraid of a tree?” her grandmother asked as she came to stand next to her.
Arabella pressed her lips together. “I was eight, and I wasn’t afraid of the tree.”
“No?” her grandmother asked. “You asked Moore to cut it down.”
“That’s because that birch tree had long branches that would scrape on my window at night,” she said. “It sounded as if someone was trying to enter through the window.”
Her grandmother shifted her gaze towards the homely tree. “It isn’t too late to have the servants remove this tree and use it for firewood.”
“I think the children will appreciate having two trees to decorate.”
“Pray tell, why did you and Colin both have to select a tree?”
Arabella stepped back from the door. “Because Colin is entirely too cocky for his own good, and he insulted my choice of tree.”
“With good reason,” her grandmother teased.
“Colin said that he could throw a rock and pick out a better tree.”
“He did succeed on that account.”
“Et tu, Grandmother?”
Her grandmother laughed. “I will stop making fun of your tree now.”
“Thank you,” Arabella replied. “Are you ready to go shopping?”
“I am.”
They exited the manor and quickly stepped into the awaiting coach. After they were situated, her grandmother rubbed her hands together. “It is rather cold today.”
“That it is.”
“I should have asked Moore to see to heated bricks.”
Arabella reached beneath her and removed a lap robe, which she extended towards her grandmother. “This should keep you warm.”
Her grandmother accepted it and settled it over her lap. “Thank you, dear.”
As the coach headed towards the village, Arabella kept her gaze on the passing scenery. She chided herself on how she had allowed herself to be unguarded with Colin the previous evening. She needed to be mindful to keep her emotions tucked securely away when she was in his presence.
“You seem deep in thought,” her grandmother commented.
“I was just woolgathering.”
“About anything in particular?”
She shook her head. “Nothing that you would be interested in.”
Thankfully, her grandmother let the matter drop and turned her attention towards the window. “I’m afraid our dear village hasn’t changed much since you last visited.”
Arabella opened her mouth to respond when the coach jerked to a stop, causing her to fall forward and collide with her grandmother. She put her hands out and assisted her grandmother back onto the bench.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
Her grandmother nodded. “I am.”
She heard the driver shouting, so she peered out of the window. To her astonishment, she saw a young boy standing next to the coach, his eyes as round as saucers. He had a dirtied face, mussed-up blond hair, and clothes that did not fit his lanky frame.
