“Would you care for some tea?” her grandmother asked.
“I would,” he replied. She procured and poured a cup for him, which he accepted. “Thank you.”
Her grandmother leaned back in her seat and asked, “How may we help you today?”
He took a sip of his tea before setting it down on the table. “My mother asked me to deliver this invitation to you,” he responded as he retrieved a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket.
“That is most thoughtful of you,” her grandmother said.
Arabella turned towards him. “Was it truly necessary for you to personally deliver the invitation?”
Colin smirked. “It would appear that all of the servants are rather busy at my estate.”
“All of your servants?” she repeated back in disbelief.
“So I was told by my mother.” He handed the invitation to her grandmother. “We are hoping you will join us for Christmas Eve dinner.”
Her grandmother smiled brightly. “What fun we shall have!”
Colin nodded. “My mother will be pleased that you will be joining us.” He lifted his brow. “Assuming that is acceptable to you, Bella.”
Arabella forced a smile. “It sounds like it will be a memorable evening.”
Colin gave her an odd look. “May I speak to you for a moment?”
“Is that truly necessary?” she asked.
“I assure you that it is.”
She sighed. “We can take a tour around the garden,” she acquiesced, turning her gaze toward her grandmother. “Do we have permission to do so?”
“Of course,” her grandmother replied.
They made their way outside and started walking down the path, Arabella’s hands firmly clasped in front of her.
Colin glanced over at her. “Do you want to explain why you are upset?”
“I am not upset.”
“No?” he asked. “Then why do I see pain in your eyes?”
“I know not,” she said, lowering her gaze.
He stopped and put a hand on her sleeve, turning her to face him. “It’s me, Bella,” he said softly. “What’s wrong?”
Unbidden tears came to her eyes, and she attempted to blink them back. The kindness in his voice was her undoing, and she found herself revealing, “Lord Eastwood has offered for me again.”
“When was this?”
“I received the letter only moments before you arrived.”
Colin ran a hand through his hair. “I thought he eloped with Lady Georgiana to Gretna Green?”
“He did, but his father stopped the wedding.”
“I see.” He grew silent. “Do you want to marry him?”
Arabella shook her head, the curls that framed her face swaying back and forth. “I do not.”
