Page 48 of The Duke Who Claimed Her

Arabella would have liked nothing more than to have opined on how far she and Caspian had come. She would have loved to have spoken his praises, asserting without fear of overreach that things were going better than expected. But she was careful to do so.

Again, the way that Caspian had fled last night sat with her. Whatever she might have thought was happening between them was clearly not the case, and as Arabella was determined not to be the type who relied on others, she would not yearn for that which her husband did not want.

“You may ask him, if you like,” she said as she placed down her own card. “But I am sure that Caspian will say the same. Things are going well, and that is enough for now.” She looked pointedly at the Dowager, almost daring her to contradict the statement.

“Clearly they are,” the Dowager agreed. “I noticed it as soon as I entered this house. It is more…” She laughed and shook her head. “There is certainly more life to it. Whatever you are doing, it is working. I suggest you keep it up.”

The praise was welcome, even if it stung.

“Thank you,” Arabella said politely. “I appreciate it.”

They continued playing for another hour, throughout which Arabella felt the Dowager’s knowing stare probing her. It was as if she did not believe Arabella’s modesty, and as if she was daring her to be more than she was willing to show.

I will be that, only not with Caspian. But everything else… I will prove that I am worthy of being a duchess.

When the game ended, the Dowager sent for the footman.

“Tell His Grace that I will be joining him shortly in his study,” she said. “And if he tries to refuse, be sure to tell him that it is not a request.”

Again, Arabella could not help but look at the woman with sheer admiration. She was so powerful, so in control…

“Sybil, might you wait here with Her Grace and Timothy for a few moments? I will not be long.” She then smiled at Arabella. “As always, it was a pleasure seeing you, Arabella. I pray that the next time, you prove what I suspect…” A raised eyebrow. “That you are exactly what Caspian needs.”

With those words, she swept from the room, leaving behind a gaping void that could not be filled, so that all Arabella could do was stare at where the Dowager had just been, her determination soaring as she decided without hesitation that she would one day be the same.

Most importantly, she would never be controlled again, nor would she want to be. Even if that meant giving up any intrepid thoughts about Caspian, herself, and what might have been…

Chapter Seventeen

“Ido find myself wondering…” The door to Caspian’s study swung open, and his cousin stalked in as if she owned the room, the house, and the entire world. “What on earth are you doing up here, alone, when your dear wife is downstairs wishing for your company? Very strange.”

Caspian looked up from his work, sure to curl his upper lip with distaste, before lowering his head again. “I am busy, Penelope. So, whatever this is, make it quick.”

“I will make it exactly as I want,” Penelope said as she took the seat across from him. “Quick? Slow? My time is my own to use as I see fit.”

“And what of my time?” he said sharply. “Or does that not concern you?”

“I will say it again. What concerns me, Caspian, is arriving at your home, expecting to spend the morning with you and your dear wife, only to learn that you are hiding. While I might have assumed you were hiding from me, you were unaware that I intended to see you. Thus, I can only assume it is your wife whom you are hiding from.”

“Did she tell you that?”

“She did not have to. Anyone with two eyes can see how you cower from her.”

Caspian snapped his head up and snarled at his cousin. “I am not cowering from anyone. Although you might not understand such things, I have work to do, Penelope. And because I have work, I cannot waste my time playing games or going on walks or doing whatever else it is that you seem to think so important.”

“And what of Timothy? I suppose he does not deserve your attention either?”

“Which is why I married Arabella in the first place,” he said. “She is with him so that I do not have to be.” His words came out cruel and harsh, and he winced with shame. “I… I will see to Timothy later. I am not avoiding him.”

“Timothy is not who I am worried about,” his cousin said. “And while I do not doubt that you do wish to improve your relationship with the boy, might you consider killing two birds with a single stone? Right now, Arabella and Timothy are downstairs playing cards. Join them. Show them that you care.”

“Is that why you are here?” he sneered, even if it was more for him than for his cousin. “To judge me? Go ahead if it makes you feel better.”

“It makes me feel nothing,” she said, softening her tone so the judgment he previously felt faded. “Remember, I am the one who wanted you to marry in the first place, Caspian. A part of that was for Timothy, I will not deny it. But a larger part was for you.”

He scoffed. “It is a good thing that you have so much time, Penelope. Because to spend it on worrying about me is to waste it.”

She said nothing for a moment.