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“I was strolling through town and thought that viewing your watercolors would be a charming way to spend a quarter hour, butalas I did not find you here. Your sister-in-law very kindly invited me to stay.”
“I display my work in the mornings,” she said, sipping her tea. She was sure she had told him this when he had first visited her.
Matthew frowned at her. “But the paintings stay right here in the parlor,” he said. “I can unfold the table and put them out in a wink. Hardly any trouble.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t ask for such a thing. I would be happy to come by another time. I don’t wish to disturb anyone.”
But Matthew was already setting up the table. He drew out a stack of paintings and set them down with a thwack that had Arabella wincing. “It’s a wonderful business,” he said, tapping the stack. Arabella warmed to hear the pride in his voice. “Did you know you could squeeze a crown from someone for such things?”
Arabella took another sip of tea. Of course he was interested in the finances.
Mr. Worthington seemed interested too. “Indeed? My opinion is that they could be sold for more, if you were so inclined. Forgive me for being so bold, but I am a painter myself, and I know the value of such skill. I would have set the price at a pound each.”
“If I sold them for so much, I wouldn’t sell half as many,” Arabella said.
“Ah, but you would onlyneedto sell half as many to turn the same profit. It would free your time up for other things.”
“I like painting. I do not seek to spend less time on it.”
He smiled at her. “I do understand the passion of one’s calling.”
Matthew stared at the paintings and stroked his beard. “This is something to think about, though, Bell. Mr. Worthington makes a very intriguing point.”
Mr. Worthington took his leave of them not long after, and Arabella sighed in relief.
Rachel pulled out a basket of baby clothes that she was working on and threaded her needle. Arabella sat beside her and took the next piece of clothing from the pile.
“Does this not make you want a brood of your own, Arabella?” Rachel shook out the baby blanket that she was hemming.
Arabella’s needle poked through at the wrong place in the tiny shirt that she had picked up. “No.” She yearned for family, but she didn’t yearn for a baby of her own.
“I hesitate to pry, but we are family and I want the best for you. I thought there was a little sense of familiarity with Mr. Worthington today. I was wondering if perhaps you had a certain interest there?”
“I will stay a spinster forever,” Arabella said, trying to sound firm. She didn’t want a husband. She wanted a snug cottage by the sea. But she couldn’t bring herself to say it. It would be a shock to Rachel to hear that she wanted to leave.
“I am the greater for your spinsterhood. I so appreciate you being here for me.” She smoothed her dress over her belly, which was swelling to the point that had Matthew hovering and waiting on her at every opportunity when he was at home. “But if you ever did marry, I would be the first one to congratulate you. It can bring one so many blessings.”
Matthew picked up a sock that didn’t even cover the palm of his broad hand. “That it does.”
Arabella cast her thoughts to another situation that would be sure to distract Rachel. “Matthew, do you not have business associates in Somerset?”
“I do.”
“I am asking because that is where Mr. Taylor is from. Jacob’s new estate is there, and the source of the Reeve family’s newfound fortune. I know nothing of the area.”
Rachel leaned forward. “Somerset? How very interesting. One doesn’t wish to gossip, but I must admit to being very curious about the whole situation.”
Matthew sat down and tossed the sock back onto the pile. “It has been some time since I ordered supplies,” he said. “I suppose it would do no harm to write and place a fresh order, and at the same time ask if he has any news of this fellow. I do have a powerful strong curiosity. The Reeves lived next door for so long that I consider us particularly connected to them.”
“Thank you. I know it would put my mind at rest to know more about where they come from.” Her mind churned with guilt. She had brought it up knowing he would offer to do exactly that. What kindof sister was she to ask favors, while she was planning to leave the household? It didn’t seem right.
“Mr. Taylor seems to be a gentleman. I saw him at the tavern the other evening and he was a fine, sporting fellow. But I would do most anything for the Reeves, as close as we have been over the years. Caroline Reeve is a good girl, and has been a fine friend to you, Arabella.”
“I have missed seeing the children running about,” Rachel said. “They brought a liveliness to our corner of the neighborhood.”
“We should have them over for tea,” Arabella said.
She hadn’t thought that her family might miss the Reeves as much as she did. They had often had dinners and teas together. She and Rachel had hung up laundry with Caroline and their maids on washing-up day, and Matthew had always been willing to do any repairs on the cottage for Caroline, including the year that the roof had to be rethatched. Rachel had helped mind the younger children often enough.
