Page 12 of Lady Arabella’s Reluctant Hero

He was indebted to the woman. But she wasn't terribly warm, and her way with children was…well. It left something to be desired. "I'm sure the carriage will be ready soon. Mrs. Lennox does not exaggerate."

This she could not refute. So Lucy pouted instead. "Papa, please. Could I not stay another fortnight?"

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "No, my sweet. I'm afraid not."

"But Aunt Clarissa is still in town."

He arched a brow. "Aunt Clarissa is a married woman now."

"She adores having me around," Lucy shot back. "She tells me so all the time."

He nodded. "She does. But she still has her own household to run and setting up their new home is no small feat."

"Papa—"

"I will be returning home shortly after you," he reminded her. "Tell me. Who will keep me company in the country if you stay here with Aunt Clarissa?"

Lucy studied him. "You promise you'll join us soon?"

He nodded. "Just as soon as I finish my business."

In truth, he could hardly wait to leave London. He'd never been fond of the city, and now… He fought the urge to look back at the column. Indelicate, they'd said.

Indelicate, my foot.

Lucy flopped back in her seat. "What sort of business?"

"Estate business."

"You said that yesterday."

He smiled. "It is still estate business today."

But once his meeting at the hotel was done, he had every intention of leaving this foul-smelling city. And hopefully by the time he returned, any gossip about him would have been forgotten.

"You look sad," Lucy said.

John's brows arched. "Why would I be sad?"

It was not a proper answer, and Lucy's stare said she knew it.

It wasn't that he was sad, however. He was just… Discontent. Yes. That was the word for it. After all, one could hardly call his time in London a success. He'd come with one purpose—to find a mother for Lucy.

Not only had he not succeeded in that endeavor. Not even close. But he'd managed to embroil himself in a scandal instead.

Lucy studied him and John could all but see more arguments forming on why she should stay here with him.

She was going to be quite formidable in another few years.

His lips twitched as he took in the mulish set of her chin. Who was he fooling? His daughter was a force to be reckoned with right now. "The next few days I'll be caught up in meetings with no free time to spare. You and Mrs. Lennox would be bored to tears if you stay."

This argument seemed to get through to her. "Promise you'll come home soon?"

"By the end of next week." He held a pinky out for good measure and she hopped off the chair to link her finger with his.

It was a silly gesture, but one her mother had started when she was young, and it never failed to make them both smile.

He guessed it made her think of Eleanor as well. One of many happy memories that they rarely spoke of, but that filled the air between them all the same.