Page 42 of Lady Arabella’s Reluctant Hero

"Pierce?" Arabella said.

The duchess nodded. "Or someone acting on his behalf. Either way, I fear you are no longer safe in London."

The room was quiet. John couldn't say this was a surprise. It was what he'd suspected from the start. Knowing Arabella, he was certain this wasn't a complete surprise to her either.

But it still felt oddly shocking to hear it said aloud.

When Arabella remained quiet, John spoke up. "What do you propose?"

Because it was clear by the set of her chin, the duchess was already working on a plan.

The duchess turned to him. "Lord Alderton. You have an estate in the country."

It was a simple statement, but he saw where this was going.

"I am proposing we remove Lady Arabella from London under the guise of a house party. You, Lord Stratton, and Lady Stratton would accompany her. Miss Evermore has expressed a willingness to join. Lord Blackwood and I shall remain in London to continue our inquiries."

John looked at Arabella. She was staring at the duchess with the expression of…

Well. He supposed this was the look of a woman who had just been told she'd be spending weeks in the home of the man she had just rejected.

Her slight grimace of dismay might have been funny if John wasn't still reeling from her earlier speech.

Arabella's typical composure faltered for a moment. "I— Your Grace, I could not possibly impose on Lord Alderton's⁠—"

"It is no imposition," John said.

The words came out before he'd decided to say them, steady and certain. But really. He'd meant it when he'd said he wanted to protect her. That had been his mission all along, had it not? He would not fail her now merely because his pride had been wounded.

This was his duty. And it was what any decent man would do.

Arabella gaped at him. For a moment he wondered if he'd accidentally said something he shouldn't.

"Lucy will be delighted to have guests," he added.

Guests. Plural. He hoped she noted that. It wasn't that he was pushing for her, in particular, to come to his home and meet his daughter. Of course not. Because she'd already made it perfectly clear she had no interest in being a part of their lives.

No, he was merely helping a young lady in distress.

Besides, Lucy did truly love having guests. And if her beloved Aunt Clarissa was coming, then she would be giddy with excitement.

After a long moment, Arabella closed her mouth and lifted her chin.

"Very well," she said quietly. "Thank you."

The duchess gave a sharp nod. It was clear she hadn't really doubted anyone would disagree with her plan. He supposed few ever did. "Lord Alderton, you will see to the travel. Lady Arabella…" She made a shooing motion. "Go and pack, my dear."

Arabella rose, curtsied, and left the room without looking at him.

14

They departed London in two carriages, and Arabella was not in his.

This had been arranged with the sort of effortless precision that John was beginning to recognize as one of her particular talents. Arabella had appeared at the duchess's front door that morning with her trunk packed and her smile in place, and by the time the carriages were loaded she had installed herself beside Thea Evermore in the second vehicle, leaving John to ride with Kit and Clarissa.

Which was fine, of course. It wasn't as though John had been hoping to spend more time in close proximity to Arabella after the awkward way their conversation had ended.

So here he was. A third wheel to Clarissa and Kit. Perfect.