He was pleased to see that Mrs. Burkard was beginning to accept her fortune, because he had only just begun to help them.
Chapter Seventeen
“Can you believe that Mrs. Burkard was under Colin’s nose the entire time?” Arabella asked as she wiped the sides of her mouth with a linen napkin.
Her grandmother gave her an amused look. “I cannot.”
“You should have seen the look on Mrs. Burkard’s face when Colin said they were going to reside with him for the time being.”
“I can only imagine.”
“I am so happy for Mrs. Burkard and Peter,” Arabella gushed. “Their cottage was truly horrific and did little to keep out the elements.”
Reaching for her teacup, her grandmother remarked, “Perhaps we could speak of something else, since you have talked about little else since you got home yesterday.”
Arabella recognized that her grandmother did have a point. “I do apologize, but I just find the whole thing fascinating.”
“It does seem rather surreal.”
“I agree,” Arabella said. “After we left the cottage, Colin seemed different.”
“In what way?”
“He seemed freer, lighter, somehow,” she replied. “I know that may not make sense.”
Her grandmother took a sip of her tea. “It makes perfect sense to me.”
“I find what Colin is doing quite admirable.”
“As do I.” Her grandmother gave her a knowing look. “Has your opinion of Colin changed?”
“No,” she replied. “He has just confirmed what I’ve always known.”
“Which is?”
“He is the most honorable man that I know.”
Her grandmother nodded. “I am pleased to hear that,” she responded. “Does that mean you are ready to trust him with your heart again?”
Before Arabella could respond, Moore walked into the dining room and met her gaze. “You have a visitor, milady,” he announced.
“Will you show Lord Barrett to the drawing room and inform him that I will be there in a moment?”
Moore shook his head. “You misunderstand me,” he said. “Your father, Lord Clavering, has come to call.”
“My father is here?” Arabella repeated in disbelief.
“Yes,” Moore said. “He is in the drawing room and has requested a moment of your time.”
She forced a smile to her lips. “Will you inform him that I will be there shortly?”
Moore tipped his head. “Yes, milady.”
Her grandmother spoke up. “Would you care for me to accompany you?”
Arabella set her napkin on her plate. “That won’t be necessary,” she replied, rising, “but I do thank you for the offer.”
“I wish you luck.”
