“It is merely the truth, Bella,” he said as he leaned back.
Arabella opened her mouth to speak but closed it before saying anything. He waited a moment, not wanting to rush her.
Finally, she spoke, her words soft. “We should join the others.”
Colin found himself disappointed by her lack of response, but he quickly brought a smile to his face. “After you, my lady.”
He watched her walk into the drawing room and sighed. He would find a way to break through her defenses, one by one.
* * *
Arabella woketo the sounds of a fire crackling in the hearth. She sat up in bed and felt a smile growing on her face. Not only was today Christmas, but she was also going riding with Colin. No matter how much she tried to deny her feelings for him, she knew she was failing horribly. Frankly, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to anymore.
It was exhausting to try to ignore the stirrings in her heart, especially since a part of her had always loved him. However, she had to be certain that he wouldn’t hurt her again. His words may be full of love and whatnot, but she had been fooled before.
A knock came at her door, breaking her out of her musings.
“Enter,” she ordered.
The door opened, and her lady’s maid stepped into the room. “I was just informed that Lord Barrett has arrived and is waiting for you downstairs.”
Arabella threw off her covers and put her feet over the side of the bed. “We should hurry, then.”
“My sentiments exactly,” Mary said.
Rising, Arabella went and sat at the dressing table. Mary picked up the brush and started brushing her long tresses.
“Do you have anything planned for Christmas?” Arabella asked.
Mary put the brush down and picked up some pins. “I do not, but I understand the cook is preparing a delicious spread for us.”
“Again, I am sorry that you are missing Christmas with your family,” Arabella said.
With a shrug, Mary admitted, “My siblings were committed to work on Christmas anyways.”
“I am sorry to hear that.”
“We will celebrate later,” Mary said as she pinned back her hair. “We usually get together for dinner as a family and exchange gifts that we have made for one another.”
“That sounds lovely.”
A short time later, Arabella emerged from her room dressed in her dark green riding habit. She hurried down the hall, finding herself eager to see Colin. She had just started descending the stairs when she saw him standing in the entry hall. He was dressed in a grey riding jacket, dark trousers, and black Hessian boots.
Colin turned his head and met her gaze. “Good morning,” he greeted.
“I hope I did not keep you waiting for too long,” she responded as she came to stand in front of him.
“You did not,” he said. “Besides, it was entirely my fault, since I arrived earlier than I had intended.”
“Why is that?”
He smiled, a dashing smile that caused a fluttering in her stomach. “Do you even need to ask?”
Arabella fought the blush that she felt forming on her cheeks. Rather than answer his question, she asked one of her own. “Are you ready to go?”
“I am.” Colin gestured towards the door. “I took the liberty of asking Moore to see to your horse being saddled.”
“That was thoughtful of you.”
