“Thank you,” Arabella said as she headed towards the drawing room. She had no idea why her father had decided to make the journey to visit her, but she was about to find out.
She stepped into the drawing room and saw that he was staring out the window. Her father was a tall man, with broad shoulders, and his dark hair had started turning white in some places.
“Father,” she greeted.
He turned back around to face her, his expression unreadable. “Arabella,” he said. “You are looking well.”
“I do appreciate you for saying so.”
“Did you have a pleasant Christmas?”
She nodded. “I did. May I ask how yours fared?”
“It was perfect,” his father said. “Augusta informed me that she is increasing.”
Arabella spoke through clenched teeth, hoping her words seemed cordial enough. “That is wonderful news.”
“It is.”
“Did you travel all this way to inform me of this news?”
Her father shifted in his stance. “I did not,” he replied. “I came to talk to you about something much more serious.”
“Which is?”
He gestured towards the settee. “Would you care to sit?”
Arabella walked over and sat down, clasping her hands in her lap.
Her father sat across from her. “Augusta and I heard the most distressing news a few days ago.”
“What news was that?”
“Lord Eastwood came to our townhouse and informed us that you turned down his offer of marriage.”
“I did,” Arabella replied. “I have no desire to marry that man.”
Her father looked displeased. “Why not?”
“Did you forget that he ran off with Lady Georgiana to Gretna Green?”
“I know, but his father stopped him from marrying her.”
“Is that supposed to make it right?”
With a frown on his lips, his father said, “I daresay that most gentlemen of our station have some sort of sordid past.”
“That is not true,” Arabella replied. “I have met some honorable gentlemen.”
“But none of those men are interested in you.”
Her lips parted in surprise. “Pardon?”
“You have two broken engagements, and your future is uncertain unless you marry Lord Eastwood.”
“I would rather remain a spinster than marry Lord Eastwood.”
“And do what with your life?”
