“Do not sell yourself short,” her grandmother encouraged. “You have no idea what lays ahead of you.”
“I think we both know I will end up as a spinster.”
“There are worse things,” her grandmother said, giving her a knowing look. “Besides, if you truly wanted to marry, you could always accept Lord Eastwood’s offer.”
Arabella shuddered. “I think not.”
“Then you must go forward and embrace the glorious person that you are.”
“I daresay you are biased.”
Her grandmother lowered her hand. “I always have been when it has come to you,” she said. “You managed to touch my heart from the moment you were born.”
“I am lucky to have a grandmother such as you.”
“We are lucky to have one another.”
Arabella nodded. “I can agree to that…” Her words trailed off when she saw mistletoe hanging above the doorway. “Why is that there?”
Her grandmother followed her gaze. “As I have said before, your grandfather was rather fond of mistletoe.”
“But he isn’t here anymore.”
“No, but you are,” her grandmother responded, “and I couldn’t resist.”
A long clock chimed in the corner, alerting them of the time.
Her grandmother clasped her hands together. “How exciting!” she exclaimed. “The children will be here shortly.”
As Arabella turned back towards her tree, Colin’s amused voice came from the doorway. “I still contend that tree will frighten the children.”
“It is not as terrible as you claim,” she defended.
Colin closed the distance between them. “We shall see which tree the children will prefer soon enough, won’t we?”
“We shall,” she said, trying to pretend that his nearness didn’t affect her. But it did. Greatly.
He smiled, a charming one that drew her attention towards his mouth. “You look lovely today, Bella.”
“That is kind of you to say.”
“It is merely the truth.”
Diane stepped into the room and embraced Arabella’s grandmother. “What a blessed day!” she exclaimed as she stepped back.
“That it is.” Her grandmother gestured towards the tables with both hands. “I believe we have enough decorations to decorate two trees.”
Colin stepped away from her and approached the tables. “I daresay that you have enough to decorate your whole manor here.”
Diane stepped over to Arabella and looked the tree up and down. “This is a most unique tree, is it not?”
“It is.”
“It is so ugly that I find it charming,” Diane said.
Arabella frowned. “It is not that bad.”
Diane turned to face her. “The most important thing is that you love it.”
