Page 72 of Lady Arabella’s Reluctant Hero

His heart gave a sharp tug at the hurt in his daughter's eyes. "Lucy⁠—"

"She was crying last night." Lucy's fists were clenched at her sides. "I heard her through the door. I knocked and she pretended to be asleep but I know what I heard, Papa. I'm not a baby."

He blinked. Arabella had been crying.

The words landed like blows.

Had she? He stared at his daughter. Had Arabella really been crying alone in her room the night before? Was that why she'd avoided them and stolen away so early this morning?

"She doesn't want to leave us," Lucy said, her voice shaking. "Don't let her go."

The door opened behind Lucy. Kit appeared first, Clarissa behind him. They'd likely heard Lucy's voice. The whole house must have heard Lucy's voice.

Clarissa looked from Lucy's face to John's. "What has happened?"

"She's gone," Lucy said. "Lady Arabella is gone and Papa is just sitting here."

"She chose to go, Lucy," John started. But even as he said it, the words felt wrong. They felt like a lie he was telling himself. No, it was the lie Arabella wanted him to believe.

But did he believe it?

He frowned down at the floor, still crouched in front of Lucy.

Arabella had made him doubt his own eyes and ears. Worse, her act had made him doubt his own heart.

But now…

He straightened, coming to stand and face his family. His pulse had ratcheted up a notch with a mix of fear and excitement, anger and…hope.

Could it be that Lucy was right? That he'd been right about the way she felt?

Kit leaned against the doorframe. "Something's been off. It has been for the last few days. Both of them, Arabella and Thea."

Clarissa nodded slowly. "Arabella was acting different ever since…" She squinted, thinking back. "Ever since that trip to town. Do you remember, Lucy?"

Lucy nodded quickly. "Yes. When I left her to get more pastries, she was fine. But when I came back…" She frowned, shaking her head.

"And Thea," Clarissa continued. "Thea doesn't just pack up and leave. She made some excuse about the duchess needing her in London, but there was no mention of that in the last letter, was there?"

John frowned. "You think she was lying?"

"I think something happened that made her decide to leave." Clarissa sat on the arm of his chair. "John, think. What changed?"

What changed. She'd gone to the village with Clarissa and Lucy. And she hadn't been the same ever since.

"Something must have happened in the village," he said slowly.

Kit straightened. "Pierce?"

The name hit the room like a gunshot. Clarissa's face went white.

"Who's Pierce?" Lucy asked.

Clarissa and Kit shared a look. No one answered.

"If Lucy is right, and Arabella was crying last night— If she truly didn't wish to leave…"

"I am right," Lucy said. "I know what I heard."