Colin reached down and rubbed his leg. “The only thing I was able to take home with me is an injury that marks me as a cripple.”
“You are hardly a cripple,” she argued. “Your limp is barely discernable.”
“I daresay we must agree to disagree on that.” Colin led her to a bench and assisted her as she sat down. “I assume you are tired of being on your feet.”
“I am.”
Colin claimed the seat next to her, but he maintained proper distance. “It is quite lovely out here.”
Arabella nodded. “When I was younger, I used to come and sit here for hours,” she said. “I dreamed of what my life would be like.”
“And did your dreams come to pass?”
She laughed. “Heavens, no,” she declared. “I have two broken engagements, and I can assure you that was never part of my plan.”
“Those events do not define you.”
“I feel as if they do,” Arabella said, lowering her gaze to her lap. “I have failed at even the simplest task.”
“Which is?”
“Finding a husband.”
“Is that all you want?” he asked. “Just to secure a husband?”
Arabella brought her gaze back up. “A husband brings security.”
“But if you marry the wrong one, it also brings forth heartache and sorrow.”
“I am well aware,” she said. “That is why I turned down Lord Eastwood’s offer, even though I know my father will be furious at my decision.”
“He may surprise you.”
She huffed. “I have no doubt that he will lecture me on becoming a drain to the household’s expenses.”
“You’re not giving yourself enough credit, Bella.”
“How so?”
He held her gaze intently as he remarked, “You are a beautiful young woman, and any man would be lucky to have you as his wife.”
But he’d chosen otherwise.
Arabella abruptly rose, causing Colin to rise awkwardly. “We should go back inside,” she said curtly.
“Why are you running from me?” Colin asked.
“I’m not.”
Colin gave her a knowing look. “You most certainly are. Why is that?”
“I just find some topics to be rather uncomfortable to discuss with you.”
“Such as?”
Arabella pressed her lips together, then said, “You said any man would be lucky to have me for a wife, but you rejected me yourself.”
“I did, but it was for your own good.”
