Page 79 of A Well-Trained Lady

Mother reached out her arm to me, commanding me forward. “Come, Arabella.”

Unable to glance at the faces watching me for fear my heart would burst with shame, I moved to Mother’s side and followed her out the door behind Lady Thorton. Lord Thorton stepped in behind us.

The sunlight was now nauseatingly bright and the heat most unwelcome as we made our way to the carriage. Relieved to find Leah already positioned upon the coach box, I lowered my head, allowing my bonnet to block the world from view.

“Farewell!” Ruth called from the doorway.

Unable to resist, I glanced over my shoulder to find Ruth and Mrs. Brundage on the front steps. Ruth’s waving hand dropped to wipe her eyes, and my heart constricted.

Lord Thorton offered me his hand. “May I assist you?”

I glanced from his hand to our mothers already situated in the carriage and back to Ruth. “Forgive me. I only need a moment.”

He gave a nod, positioning himself to await my return.

Hurrying up the stairs, I didn’t hesitate to wrap my arms around Ruth’s neck with all the fervor of love I could muster. “Oh, my friend, how I shall miss you.”

She welcomed the embrace, sniffling into my ear. “And I, you.”

Mrs. Brundage wore a sad smile on her face. “Take care of yourself, my dear girl.”

“Thank you for everything. I hope you know …” My words trailed off, unable to find any acceptable reason to pardon my behavior and now the consequence of it.

“I do know.” Mrs. Brundage squeezed my hand in hers.

My gaze fell to the empty entry hall behind them, and my heart sank. “Tell Sarah I shall miss her also.” I swallowed. “And tell Augustus …” A tear escaped down my cheek, and I quickly brushed it away. “Just tell him that I hope he finds a woman deserving of him. And how very sorry I am.”

Mrs. Brundage’s lips turned downward at the corners, but she nodded her agreement.

“Arabella, dear.” Mother’s voice splintered through my hesitation. “Do make haste.”

With one last glance at the place where my treacherous heart was certain Augustus would be, I swallowed my disappointment and made my way back to Lord Thorton. “Forgive my delay. I …” I attempted to think of an excuse that would not make me appear foolishly sentimental and weak.

“You needed a proper goodbye,” he said, an expression of understanding on his face. He grinned at me, extending his hand. “I can understand that.”

Lady Thorton, on the other hand, appeared rightly cross as I settled into the rear-facing seat of the carriage next to Mother. “I still do not understand where the miscommunication took place.” Her consideration moved from Mother to me, as her son moved on to the bench next to her. The carriage started forward.

Mother’s eyes darted in my direction, letting me know that she intended to answer. “As I’ve thought about it, I believe there were simply too many last-minute changes occurring all at once.” She gave a small lift of her shoulders as the carriage rolled forward. “I had only just returned to London when I received your missive inquiring if Arabella and I could join you at Branbury Court early. Though I sent letters to both Arabella and Mr. Leavitt detailing our newly arranged plans, those letters obviously did not arrive in time. Nor did Mr. Leavitt’s letter relaying Arabella’s removal to Fairhaven, which I’m certain he wrote, reach me before my departure.” Mother shook her head. “The timing is all quite bizarre.”

The carriage swayed as we turned onto the main road, and I glanced out the window at Fairhaven. I hadn’t realized how fond I’d grown of the place until it disappeared from sight, and I knew I would likely never see it again. I lifted a hand to cover the ache in my heart that was threatening to consume me.

“And why did you not simply accompany the Leavitts to the coast?” Lady Thorton’s question was directed at me, forcing me from my anguish. “It seems most unusual for a relative to situate you elsewhere without first obtaining your parents’ consent.”

I sensed Mother grow rigid at my side, and I knew exactly what lie was expected of me. I straightened my slumping shoulders and met Lady Thorton’s gaze. “With Mrs. Leavitt’s quickly declining health, Mr. Leavitt thought it best to spare my sensitive nature. Returning me to London hardly seemed ideal, knowing I would simply arrive in time to make the journey right back to Branbury.”

Lady Thorton’s head tipped to the side. “But why the Brundages?”

Mother leaned forward. “Well the—”

Lady Thorton lifted a hand to silence Mother, keeping her sharp focus fixed on me.

I suppressed my shock at Lady Thorton’s display of power over Mother. “Their location was ideal, being so near the Leavitts’ estate, but mostly because the Brundages’ niece, Ruth, was my dearest friend growing up in Bath.” My gaze flickered to Mother. I would not allow her to take Ruth from me. Not again. “Mother has always been so very fond of her, so I suppose it seemed a natural solution to Mr. Leavitt.”

Mother’s lips pulled tight into a sort of grimaced smile. “Ruth was always a delightful girl.” The glint in her eyes informed me she was up to something. “Though her past is a most unfortunate one.”

I gave a small shake of my head, willing her to stop.

She released an exaggerated sigh, her defiant gaze returning to Lady Thorton. “You may recall the Seton case that occurred eight years past?”