by Golden Angel
“I don’t know.” Mary bit her lip again, looking rather anxious. “I just… I just thought you should know. If I had a gentleman caller, I’d want to know. Especially if he were turned away.”
Having said her piece, she bustled away. Arabella frowned after her. There was something about the way Mary was behaving that was just a little… off. But Arabella couldn’t figure out why that might be so. Perhaps it was just because she had told Arabella while knowing Thomas would be displeased; after all, he was the only one who might have given the butler the order to turn Hartford away.
Poor Mary had braved her cousin’s disapproval to tell Arabella, something which couldn’t have been easy for her. Of course, it wasn’t at all the same situation for Arabella as it was for Mary, since any gentleman calling on Arabella would not be there to court her. Perhaps Mary was just thinking about how much she would enjoy having a gentleman call on her, without considering the differences between them. Well, Arabella certainly wouldn’t betray her. In fact, she wasn’t going to say a thing to Thomas at all.
But she was certainly going to find a way to make him pay.
The opportunity came not two hours later when a message was delivered for the both of them. Recognizing the seal as her friend Lady Eleanor Hyde’s, Arabella immediately opened it. After the usual congratulations and regret over missing Arabella’s wedding was an invitation to a house party at the Hyde estate in three weeks. She stressed her understanding if Thomas and Arabella sent their regrets, as they were so newly married, but included her hopes that they would come.
Arabella absolutely wanted to go. She hadn’t seen nearly enough of several of her friends this year, as they had not come into town for the Season. There was little doubt in her mind that Hugh, Eleanor’s brother, and his wife Irene would be there. Likely Eleanor’s best friend Grace and her husband, and Cynthia and Wesley. Gabrielle would also have been sent an invitation, of course. Gabrielle’s stepmother as well, as she was married to Eleanor and Hugh’s cousin. Their relationship was still a bit constrained but had certainly improved over the years, helped along by their husbands who were best friends. Arabella’s brothers were also friends of Eleanor’s husband, Lord Hyde, and her sisters-in-law had befriended the rest of the ladies, so she was sure they would receive invitations.
There might be some others but those were the people she cared about.
Pressing her lips together, she looked down at the letter.
Considered.
Yes. This would be a very good way to teach Thomas a salutary lesson in continuing to make decisions for the both of them without any communication.
Chapter 13
It was the final evening of the Season, Lady Hopwood’s ballroom was packed with those of the ton who had not already quit London for their country estates, and Thomas had lost his wife. Quite how he’d managed to do so he wasn’t entirely sure, because she had been right by his side and then he’d paused to say hello to Lord Hervey, and when he’d turned round again she was gone.
Aggravated, he’d immediately begun stalking through the crowd as best he could, searching for her. Hindered by the need to be polite to the various acquaintances and friends greeting him, Thomas grimly set his jaw and looked for the red feathers he knew were bobbing in Arabella’s hair. They matched the stunning ruby and onyx gown she was wearing this evening.
Unfortunately, there were quite a few ladies wearing feathers in their coiffures this evening, decked out in their finest gowns and accoutrements. The riot of colors and number of feathers did nothing to help him.
He’d been looking for over a quarter of an hour when Felix and Gabrielle came upon him. Although she looked tired, Gabrielle had insisted on attending the ball this evening, seeing as it was her last chance. Even the viscount was making an appearance, although he was currently seated in the card room with his own friends, rather than braving the crowd in the main rooms like Gabrielle was.
“Why the stern expression, Thomas?” Felix asked cheerfully. “It’s a bad crush but we’ve been through worse this Season.”
Gabrielle gave her husband a sidelong look as she fanned herself with a lacy confection that matched her rose and cream jonquil gown to perfection. There had been a few other balls they’d attended which had been even more crowded than Lady Hopwood’s ballroom was tonight, but not many. The ton was obviously determined to enjoy the last large event of the Season.
“Have you seen Arabella?” he asked, tamping down his frustration and ignoring his brother’s prodding. Retorting would only encourage him.
“Oh yes, she’s just back that way,” Gabrielle said, smiling up at him, as she gestured towards one of the many rooms Lady Hopwood had opened in order to accommodate the crowd. Thomas wanted to growl. Not only had his wife disappeared, she’d apparently absconded from the room entirely without a word to him.
Well he had a few for her when he finally caught up with her.
“I will say,” Felix said amiably, pushing Thomas’ patience. He wanted to go collect his wife now. Although knowing her direction did soothe him a bit. Enough that he didn’t just walk away from his brother, which turned out to be a very good thing because Felix was in possession of yet more knowledge that Thomas was not. “I was a bit surprised when she said the two of you would be at the Hyde’s so soon after returning home. I rather thought we’d have to tear you away for more socializing. I know how you prefer to spend the first month on the estates catching up with what you missed during the Season.”
“Yes.” Thomas grated the words out. “I do. What exactly did Arabella say to you about the Hydes?”
“Oh dear,” said Gabrielle, her voice a bit faint as her eyes widened. Apparently she’d caught on rather quickly to the fact that, while Arabella might have told her and Felix that she and Thomas would be at whatever event the Hydes were hosting, she had neglected to tell Thomas.
It only took Felix a short moment to catch on as well, and then he chortled. His dark eyes were flashing with amusement as he answered. “The house party, in three weeks. It’s a week long. Apparently having missed out on the entertainments of the Season, Eleanor has decided the entertainment should come to her.”
Edwin and Eleanor had opted to stay home this Season, spending time with their two young children. Indeed, baby Hyacinth wasn’t quite a year old. He’d heard that they’d traveled to Bath, to spend time with Eleanor’s parents who had taken up permanent residence there, but they hadn’t come into the capital at all.
A house party so she could still see her friends sounded very much like something Eleanor would do, and obviously Arabella would want to attend Eleanor, and Thomas wouldn’t have objected, but…
He hadn’t been asked, had he?
“I see,” Thomas said shortly. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to find my wife.”
Turning on his heel, he ignored Gabrielle’s opening lips—whatever she wanted to say to him he doubted he wanted to hear—and was grateful when Felix pulled her against him to whisper in her ear and effectively cut her off. Not that he would have stayed to hear it anyway. His temper was rising in his chest as he wondered what the hell his wife was up to.
Just as he’d started to think she’d learned how to behave, it seemed she was up to some mischief again instead.
Thomas’ temper flared even higher when he entered the room Gabrielle had indicated and saw Arabella in deep conversation with the last man he wanted to see her with—Hartford.
******
“You can’t think of a single name?” Hartford asked beseechingly.
Arabella’s lips quirked. Witnessing such a powerfully dominant man who was normally so self-assured practically reduced to begging was highly amusing. Not that he was truly begging, of course, but he played the part well. They were both enjoying the charade.
“Hmm…” She tilted her head to the side, tapping her chin with her fan as she pretended to think. “No, it seems I’m one of a kind.”
After slipping away from Thomas’ side for her
own amusement, she’d chatted with various friends and acquaintances, including Felix and Gabrielle, before spotting Hartford in the crowd with a resigned and almost hangdog expression on his face. Curious, and a touch concerned, she’d immediately approached him and expressed her surprise at seeing him tonight. He’d responded with a mock-furious scowl and immediately blamed his presence on her, seeing as he was still on the hunt for a bride.
“That you are, my dear,” he said with a chuckle, shaking his head. “In all seriousness, if you knew of a debutante who was at least half as adventurous with half as much spirit as you have, I would be forever in your debt.”
Arabella smiled sympathetically, returning to fanning herself. The air in the crowded room was more than a bit balmy. “I wish I could help, my lord, but the only ladies who come to mind already have husbands.”
“Well, what are their names?” he asked. “I can take care of the husband if I like them enough.”
She snickered. “And risk a hanging? You must be truly desperate.”
“I had hoped to end this season with a bride,” he admitted, shrugging. “It seems it was not to be. I suppose a second season on the hunt won’t kill me.”
“The mamas, now realizing you’re in earnest, will be happy to present you with all sorts of options next Season,” she said. Despite his scandalous reputation, there were many families who would be happy to set up one of their daughters as his bride. After all, he was a powerful, wealthy Marquess. The only reason he’d avoided a mob scene this year was by latching on to Arabella so quickly. He’d been absent from most of the respectable events in the weeks following the end of their courtship, but when he reappeared next year at those same events…
Well, the matrons with marriageable daughters would pounce.
Not all of them, to be sure, but quite a few.
Making a moue of displeasure, Hartford cast his tawny gaze around the room, a predator wary of an unknown threat. His expression altered as something—or someone—caught his eye.
“What is it?” Arabella asked, at the exact same time as she heard her husband’s furious voice.
“Arabella.”
That was all he said. Just her name. But it was the way he said it. Like she was a naughty child discovered doing something wretched.
She rounded on him, glaring.
“Thomas.”
Hartford stepped back. “Excuse me, I can see I’m not needed here.”
Just to annoy her husband, Arabella tore her gaze away from him and smiled charmingly up at Hartford. “I wish you luck on your quest, my lord.”
“And you on yours,” he said, looking highly amused. Arabella’s lips twitched. She knew exactly what Hartford meant; she wasn’t necessarily on a quest other than to annoy her husband. Something which she was currently succeeding admirably at if his seething expression was any clue.
As soon as Hartford as moved into the crowd, Thomas came closer, keeping his voice low so no one could overhear.
"What quest?" he asked, his temper sparking in his dark eyes.
Arabella wasn't feeling sorry at all. She looked up at him, insolently tilting her head. "It's not nice not knowing things, is it?"
"What are you on about?" he asked, his voice growing louder. Although she hadn't be alarmed at first, she was quickly realizing that Thomas was not acting like himself. In fact, shockingly, he seemed on the verge of making a scene in the middle of a ball. "Were you flirting with him?"
She blinked. "What? No!"
"Then why were you talking to him?"
Oh my goodness... he was jealous.
Utterly stunned by the revelation, Arabella found herself tongue tied. Thomas was actually jealous that she'd been speaking with Hartford. For some reason it hadn't really occurred to her to wonder why Hartford had been turned away when he'd come to call. She'd been too incensed over another example of Thomas attempting to run her life without consulting her to try and imagine why he would have acted so high-handedly again.
Although, perhaps it had been a standing order from before their disagreement over her morning rides.
"Let's go," he said, taking her by the arm. "We're leaving."
His grip was firm but not punishing, even though his temper and jealousy had obviously been roused to unforeseen heights, and Arabella followed obediently. Despite her usual enjoyment of attention, she had no wish to create a scene. Especially not while she pondered what Thomas' jealousy might mean.
Was he jealous over her, Arabella, because she'd once been linked to Hartford?
Or was he jealous over his wife and worried what the gossips might think when he saw her speaking with a notorious rake to whom she'd once been courted by?
The answer was very important to her.
******
Thomas found himself not trusting his wife's docile obedience as he escorted her through the crowd. They managed to find their hostess, Lady Hopwood was still by the door, and take their leave fairly quickly without Arabella putting up even the smallest fuss. She'd been ready to give as good as she got and then suddenly, and he didn't know why, she had just stopped.
It was highly suspicious.
Seeing Felix, he indicated that he and Arabella were leaving. Felix would inform their parents and it was early enough in the evening it would be a small matter to return home with Arabella and send the carriage back. Likely there would still be a wait for John Coachman once he returned to Lady Hopwood's. Unless his father began to feel sickly, it would take wild horses to make his mother leave the last event of the season before she was good and ready.
Bundling his wife into the carriage, kept his eye on her even as he climbed in behind her, waiting for some small explosion. A tirade on his behavior. Sassy comments.
Something.
Anything.
But there was nothing. She just watched him. Not warily, which might have been satisfying, but with curiosity. As if he was the puzzle, not her.
Sitting facing her, he had a clear view of her face as the curtains were drawn back and the moon was rather bright tonight. The passing gas lamps didn't hurt either. Since he'd placed her on the bench facing forward, she was visible while he remained in the shadows... seething.
"What—" she started to ask and cut off abruptly as Thomas held up his hand.
"We'll talk when we get home," he said tensely.
He needed the time to gather himself, to wrangle his rioting emotions. Seeing her with Hartford... it wasn't just jealousy which had reared its ugly head, it was all his insecurities.
Was she regretting marrying him instead of Hartford?
Was Hartford trying to worm his way into Arabella's bed now that he'd lost her as his bride?
Adding those questions on top of his anger over Arabella assuring Felix and Gabrielle that they would be at the Hydes' house party...
Thomas froze in the action of smoothing his hands over his thighs continuously, the way he'd been doing to relieve some of his jumpy energy. Perhaps Felix and Gabrielle had misunderstood and Arabella intended to attend the party with Hartford... no, that was ludicrous. As wild as Arabella could be, she would never attend a party with all of their mutual friends, as well as his brother, with another man.
Taking in a deep breath, Thomas made himself stop the wild imaginings. There was no point to them and he needed to get himself under control. He only had about five more minutes to decide exactly how he was going to deal with Arabella when they reached Hood House.
First, he was going to ask her about the house party. If she truly had accepted the invitation, either for just herself or for both of them, then he would spank her for not consulting with him.
Second, he was going to ask her about Hartford. That was trickier. He certainly couldn't dictate her emotions to her but... he needed to know if she'd slipped away from him in order to meet the other man. Thomas didn't know what he would do if the answer was affirmative.
Certainly he would make it known that he would certainly not be sharing her physical aff
ection. But he found he didn't particularly like the idea of sharing her emotional affection either. He wanted Arabella to have the preference for him that Lydia had claimed existed.
They might have only been husband and wife for a couple of days, but Thomas' feelings for her had grown exponentially. He'd always enjoyed her company even if he'd often been disapproving of her wilder behavior. There had been times when he'd been slightly envious of her carefree demeanor towards Society, her willingness to thumb her nose at conventions she didn't like. He'd even been resentful on occasion.
Being married to her... well, he'd already seen how likely she was to buck his authority and yet she could be perfectly reasonable when she chose to be. She could also be passionate, funny, engaging, and altogether desirable. When she wasn't making him batty, he thought... he thought he might be falling in love with her.
It was unexpected, but certainly not an unwelcome development.
Part of him thought he might even secretly like having to constantly keep up with her. She certainly wasn't boring. The admission came a little too close to having to admit his brothers were right about him needing a wife who would shake up his life for him to fully accept it yet though.
As soon as they reached the house, Thomas escorted her up to his bedroom, one hand on the small of her back. Again, he was both suspicious and wary of how easily she came along, without even a murmur of protest.
"So," he said, as soon as they were alone in his bedroom, the door shut firmly behind them. Arabella stood, watching him, hands held in front of her in an almost submissive position that he didn't trust at all. He'd decided to take her to his room rather than hers so she was in his territory. Whether or not it would give him the upper hand, he didn't know but he suspected any small advantage he could gain would be worthwhile. Which was why he didn't ask about Hartford immediately, hoping to throw her off balance. "What is this I hear about us attending a house party?"
His stratagem seemed to have worked. Arabella's eyelashes fluttered as she was visibly taken aback by the unexpected topic. "House party?"
