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His gaze sharpened. “Indeed?”
Oh, how wretched this was.
The idea filled her with no pleasure, but it was well known that the Martins had the largest estate in Inverley, with a sizeable fortune. His family was very well regarded. He knew her family from when they were all children together. If he was serious in his pursuit, then it would go a long way toward improving the situation for Betsy and Susan to find respectable matches.
“Very interesting. Perhaps you may finally look kindly on a suit from an old friend, in that case.” He raised a brow.
She nodded and finished her wine. “I think I might.”
He bowed and took his leave of her.
Arabella marched back to her after the set ended. Her chest was heaving, and her eyes were bright with anger. Caroline stared. This was most unlike her.
“You should have saved me,” she said. “I didn’t want to dance.”
“It’s for the best. You should be taking the opportunity to talk up your business, especially to people who have already expressed interest.” It was the sensible approach. Why wasn’t Arabella agreeing with her?
“I didn’t wish to. Not here. Caroline, I was counting on you.”
She blinked. “You can always count on me. I was only thinking of you, Bell.”
“You don’t always know what’s best for everyone, Caroline Reeve.”
Arabella stalked off.
Nothing was going right anymore.
* * *
Maybe Caroline was right.
Maybe Arabella should have been thrilled at the opportunity to dance with any gentlemen who asked, and to ask them about their desires for a painting or two. After all, that was why they had asked her to dance—odd Arabella Seton had finally found herself to be fashionable.
People now wanted to talk to the quaint local miniaturist. Arabella felt as overlooked as ever, as if the painter was a persona that she was struggling to embody.
She didn’t like it above half.
She had spent so long this summer convincing herself to be brave, and now when faced with warmth and appreciation, she found herself quaking in her dance slippers. It hardly made any sense. She might feel like she fit in on the beach, but in the assembly rooms, she felt like the biggest fraud in Inverley.
Mr. Worthington approached her with a glass of wine in hand. “May I offer you refreshment, Miss Seton? The evening is fine, and I thought perhaps we could stroll on the terrace.”
She was annoyed enough with Caroline to agree. If this is what Caroline wished to see, then let her watch as she left with Mr. Worthington.
The night was warm, and the terrace was full of couples staring up at the stars or strolling closer together than was quite proper.
Arabella realized too late that this was not going to be a casual walk.
“I am so pleased that you accepted, Miss Seton.” Mr. Worthington brought her hand to his lips in a show of gallantry that she didn’t remember from their previous courting days. “I thought my attentions too marked to be unnoticed by a shrewd woman.”
Oh dear. She ought to have been clearer with him from the beginning.
“Miss Seton, I talked with your brother yesterday. I do not mean to flatter myself, but he was very pleased by my visit.”
“You spoke to Matthew?”
This was a disaster. She was sure Matthew had been thrilled. Now she needed to disappoint not only Mr. Worthington, but also her brother. Being shy had helped get her into this mess, so she swallowed and told herself to be direct. “Mr. Worthington, what is your meaning?”
“Miss Seton, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”
