Arabella beamed with exaggerated warmth. “Dorothea! It’ssolovely to see you again,” she gushed. “That gown is simply divine on you.”
Dorothea offered a polite smile. “Is there something I can help you with?”
Arabella let out a delicate laugh, too high and too rehearsed. “You’re always so amusing. No, no—this is just a visit. We were eager to see how you’re adjusting to such a grand household.”
“I’m settling in well, thank you.” Dorothea turned to Lady Sarah with genuine warmth. “Good morning, my lady.”
Lady Sarah’s eyes crinkled around the edges. “Good morning, Dorothea. I understand you are now married to the most talked-about gentleman in London.”
“Yes,” Dorothea said with a modest smile. “It came as a surprise to me as well.”
Arabella eagerly seized her hand and led her to the settee. “You must tell us everything! We’re simply dying to hear the story.”
“There isn’t much to tell,” Dorothea replied, carefully arranging her skirts as she sat. “I arrived only yesterday. Dominic and I are still becoming acquainted.”
At that moment, a maid entered with a polished tea service. She set it on the low table and asked, “Shall I pour, my lady?”
Dorothea shook her head. “No, thank you. I shall see to it.”
She poured the tea with steady hands, offering a cup first to Lady Sarah, then to Arabella, before preparing her own. As she took a sip, she studied Arabella discreetly over the rim of her teacup. The sudden friendliness, the unexpected call… something was not right. Arabella, who had once treated her with cool disdain, was now smiling like they’d grown up as dearest friends.
Arabella set down her teacup with a delicate clink. “I saw the article in the morning newssheets. You must be thrilled.”
“I suppose it was rather flattering,” Dorothea remarked, placing her own cup and saucer down.
“I imagine your new position will grant you many invitations to balls, soirées, perhaps even the duchess’s house party,” Arabella said. “And I was hoping—well, your brother was hoping—that you might consider inviting us to accompany you.”
Dorothea raised a brow, not bothering to mask her surprise. “My brother made this request?”
Arabella nodded quickly. “It’s only fair, considering how generously he cared for you after your father passed.”
Dorothea sat straighter, her voice curt. “You and I seem to have different understandings of the wordcare.”
Arabella waved a hand airily. “He made mistakes. We all did. Let’s not dwell on the past.”
Before Dorothea could answer, Lady Sarah leaned in and said matter-of-factly, “Oh, Arabella, do stop pretending. Your husband is a cad. Let’s not insult the girl’s intelligence.”
“He is not a cad,” Arabella protested with a pout on her lips.
Lady Sarah turned to Dorothea and mouthed exaggeratedly, “Cad.”
Dorothea let out a surprised giggle and quickly pressed her fingers to her lips. She had always liked Lady Sarah, who had shown her kindness even when no one else in her brother’s household had bothered.
Lady Sarah reached down and picked up Dorothea’s teacup, extending it towards her. “Why don’t we enjoy another cup of tea and speak plainly, shall we?”
Dorothea accepted the cup and took a sip. “I would prefer that.”
Arabella lifted her chin. “I merely thought that since you’ll be attending many important events, it would be beneficial—for me and my husband—to be seen alongside you.”
Realization dawned on Dorothea. “Does my brother even know that you are here?”
Arabella shifted uncomfortably. “No… but I’m doing this for him. Truly.”
“For all of us,” Lady Sarah corrected. “The more we’re seen in good company, the better it reflects on all of us.”
Dorothea sat back, weighing her options. She could easily refuse. They had treated her poorly, dismissed her, and made her feel invisible. She owed them nothing.
And yet… there was something desperate in Arabella’s voice. Not arrogant. Not scheming.Pleading.
