Page 5 of A Well-Trained Lady

My head flinched backward in confusion, and Mother’s suspicion moved to me. “You did not know her, Arabella?”

Uncertain why, I followed Papa’s lead and shook my head. “No.”

Her gaze drifted back to the place in the crowded room where Ruth had just departed. “Why the Brimhalls would invite such riff-raff to one of their balls is beyond me. I should likely not have come had I realized who we would be forced to keep company with this evening. Mr. Hall and his young new bride are also in attendance.”

Papa nodded. “Well, my dear, it is fortunate, then, that we must not remain in such offensive company a moment longer.” Mother’s attention settled back on Papa as he gave a brief tip of his head in my direction. “Arabella mentioned she had a headache coming on, and I assured her we would not be at all bothered to return home without delay.”

Mother scanned my features with skepticism. “Arabella appears perfectly well to me.”

I lifted a hand to my temple, instinct pushing me to go along with Papa’s deception. “The headache is just beginning. But the spots in my vision are growing larger, and I fear I will soon grow faint.” I glanced around at the many faces surrounding us. “I would hate to swoon in front of all these people.”

There was nothing Mother disliked more than making a scene, and, after a brief moment, she gave a small huff. “Very well. But, because you are so ill, Arabella, you shall be staying abed for the entirety of tomorrow. And that includes missing the theater.”

Mother always knew precisely what consequence to hold over me. But when I looked to Papa, it was evident there was a reason for his ruse despite me not knowing it. “Then let us be on our way.”

Chapter Two

The clock on the mantel ticked in a most tedious rhythm through the empty sitting room. Each click marked another irretrievable second of my life passing by, and one less moment I had until our looming departure to Sandson Hall. I dropped my sampler to my lap and glared at the small clock mocking me, as though it would do some good. It did none.

“There you are, Arabella.” The shrill tone of Mother’s voice commanded my attention. She had scarcely spoken a word to me since the ball, yet I suddenly favored the silence of the past few days to the wrathful glint in her focused regard.

I took a steadying breath, attempting to give nothing away. “I did not realize you were searching for me.”

Her jaw steeled as she moved to the window, placing her back to me. “I know you are aware of the reason for my vexation, so you need not act an innocent.”

My gaze dropped to the cream-colored rose I had been embroidering, dread pulsing through me. She must have discovered the truth about Papa’s and my encounter with Ruth. No wonder she was furious. I opened my mouth to offer an apology.

“Priscilla will be most displeased.” Mother gave a disbelieving shake of her head. “Not to mention the timing of it all is most inconsiderate.”

I closed my lips, unable to find a correlation between the timing of our chance meeting with Ruth and its effect on Aunt Priscilla. Could she be referring to something else entirely? I needed to tread with more caution.

Mother whipped her head toward me. “What have you to say?”

“In truth, I’m not certain what you are speaking of.”

“The Leavitts?”

I tried not to cower at the intensity of her stare as she started toward me.

“What of them?” To my great relief, I truly had no idea what Papa’s cousins had to do with anything.

Mother leaned over me, taking hold of my arm, her fingers cold and sharp on my skin. Her eyes bore into me, searching my features for any hint of deception. After what felt an eternity, her grip slackened. “You truly do not know?”

“Know what, exactly?”

Mother dropped her hand from my arm and straightened. “Your father has decided to send you to the Leavitts’ for the next several weeks, instead of allowing you to join us at Sandson Hall.”

“Papa’s cousins?” My heart leapt when Mother gave a brisk nod. “But we are set to leave any minute for Sandson.”

“I know.” Disgust coated her words, as though she’d mistaken my amazement for displeasure equal to her own. “I am in full disagreement to this arrangement, though your father will not hear a word of it.”

I swallowed, cautious to not appear too eager over the joyous news. In truth, had the revelation come at any other time, I would have thought it far from ideal, but knowing the Leavitts’ company could be more easily borne than the company I would find at Sandson Hall, I was obliged to consider myself most fortunate. This certainly had to be Papa’s reward for my silence regarding Ruth and his unwillingness to speak to me of it—accepting an eleventh-hour invitation to free me from the clutches of Mother and Aunt Priscilla.

Mother was watching me as I pulled myself from my thoughts. In an attempt to look more displeased by the news, I dropped my shoulders and released a small puff of air. “But what shall I do at the Leavitts for so long?”

Mother sat herself on the opposite end of the settee. “You shall be acting as companion to Mrs. Leavitt. Apparently, Mr. Leavitt believes your cheery spirit shall be just the thing to improve his wife’s ailing health.”

I set my focus on the embroidery sample on my lap, refusing to take Mother’s doubtful tone to heart. “And shall I go to Branbury straight from the Leavitts’ then?”