Page 13 of The Duke Who Claimed Her

“Ah, here we are,” the Dowager spoke suddenly. “Go on, dear, take a peek. I know you are curious.” She gestured to the window.

Arabella smiled to herself, appreciative of the Dowager’s humor. Then she shuffled across the carriage seat and looked out the window, through the fog, eyes narrowed as she took in her first view of what would be her new home.

“What do you think?” the Dowager asked. “Be honest.”

“It is… big,” Arabella said, not knowing what else to say.

The Dowager chuckled. “Very apt.”

The manor emerged through the mist as if from a dream. It was an ancient home, almost a castle, but not cold looking or scary. It stood tall on a small hilltop, its walls covered in green vines, its large windows the type that would see its interior shine warm and welcoming on days when the sun allowed it.

Indeed, the sight of the manor instilled in Arabella a sense of hope. She had never seen it before, she had never thought to picture it, but as the carriage crept closer, she found that there was something comforting about the manor. A home that she did not know she needed but was suddenly grateful to have.

“Caspian, might you say something?” the Dowager prompted.

He frowned at her. “Such as?”

The Dowager rolled her eyes and looked apologetically at Arabella. “I wish I could say that he was not usually this moody, but that would be a lie.”

The Duke scowled at his cousin, and Arabella laughed softly.

Soon, the carriage was coming to a stop and Arabella’s nerves returned. It was easy to live in a state of disbelief on the journey there, but now that they had arrived, it all felt so real… Not to mention, inescapable.

Arabella found that her legs were shaking as she stepped down from the carriage. Even when the Duke offered her a hand, she struggled to find her footing. And while such a gesture might have appeared warm and comforting, he was awkward about it, as unsure as she appeared.

“I will leave the two of you to it,” the Dowager announced as they slowly approached the front door.

“What?” the Duke asked sharply. “Where are you going?”

“Oh, you do not want me getting in the way,” she sighed and waved him down. “I am sure there is so much for you to discuss. My company adds nothing.” She grinned at the notion. “Besides, I must be getting home. I have a party to attend.” Before the Duke could say anything else, the Dowager had climbed back in the carriage and closed the door. Then, it started back down the driveway in the direction they had come.

The Duke stiffened to see her go.

Arabella, on the other hand, felt a slight sense of relief. She had wanted to be alone with the Duke, needing to speak to him privately. And hopefully, once she did, his attitude might change. She needed it to, if only to make herself feel more confident about what was to come.

“Your Grace,” Arabella began cautiously as they approached the front door. She walked beside him, hurrying to keep pace. “There is something that I need to… That I would like to say.”

“What is it?” he asked as he pushed the door open.

“What we spoke about earlier…” she began. “The things I said to you. I wish for you to know that⁠—”

“Your Grace!” Arabella was cut off as they stepped into the foyer. “Welcome home!”

“Mrs. Robertson,” the Duke said kindly. “It is good to see you.”

Mrs. Roberston was a servant, or so Arabella assumed. She was elderly, short, and had a round face flushed bright pink. But her smile was generous, her black eyes were kind, and she had a presence that was warm and friendly, making Arabella feel immediately at ease.

“This is Mrs. Robertson,” the Duke said to her with a sweep of his hand. “If you require anything at all, she is who you will speak to about such things.”

“Oh, you flatter me, Your Grace,” Mrs. Roberston chortled. “And might I ask who this is?”

“Nice to meet you,” Arabella began. “My name is⁠—”

“Later,” the Duke cut her off. “For now, Mrs. Robertson, know that you will be seeing a lot more of Miss Witherington. I will explain the particulars at another time.”

Arabella scowled at the Duke. He was obviously still annoyed with her. Likely, he was having second thoughts about the whole thing. Also, she wondered if the way he behaved was his effort to prove that he was in charge. This was his home, and he wanted her to know it.

It is something that my father would do, were he in the same position.