Her grandmother spoke up. “That is good.”
Colin took a long sip of tea before setting his cup down onto the tray. “Are you ready to go ice skating?”
“I am,” Arabella replied.
He rose and offered his hand. “Allow me.”
“Thank you,” she replied as she allowed him to help her stand.
Colin took her hand and moved it to the crook of his arm. “My carriage is out front,” he informed her.
“Splendid,” she murmured.
As they walked into the entry hall, Moore extended Arabella’s pelisse and asked, “Would you care for a blanket, as well?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Colin responded. “I have blankets in the carriage for Lady Arabella.”
Moore tipped his head. “Very good, milord.”
As Colin escorted her outside, Arabella saw Peter running towards her with a wide smile on his face. He came to a stop in front of her, his breathing labored. “I was just hired to muck the stalls,” he announced proudly.
“That is wonderful news,” she declared.
Peter puffed out his chest proudly. “Thomas made me prove I could lift heavy objects around the stable, and he said that I was the strongest boy he has ever seen.”
“You must be rather strong, then.”
“I am,” Peter said.
Arabella gestured towards Colin. “Peter, allow me to introduce you to Lord Barrett.”
Peter’s eyes grew panicked. “You are Lord Barrett?”
“I am.”
“I… uh… should be getting back to the stables,” Peter stammered out as he backed up. “I just wanted to thank you for the job.”
“I only asked Thomas to meet with you,” Arabella said. “You were the one who convinced him to hire you.”
Peter mumbled his goodbyes before he spun on his heel and ran back towards the stable.
“That was odd,” Colin commented.
Arabella nodded. “I would agree,” she replied. “He was most likely nervous meeting you for the first time.”
“Why would that be?”
“It could be the grimace that is on your lips,” Arabella said.
“I do not grimace.”
Arabella gave him a look. “You do,” she replied. “You can come across as unapproachable.”
“That is a good thing.”
“Not to everyone.”
Colin assisted her into the carriage. “I don’t have time to solve people’s trivial matters,” he said. “I have an estate to run.”
